At least 51 people have collected presidential nomination forms on the first day of issuance ahead of the 2026 general elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has announced.
The exercise began on Monday, 11 August 2025, at the EC headquarters on Seventh Street in Kampala’s Industrial Area, and will run until 24 September 2025. According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, the forms include supporter lists, nomination papers, and detailed guidelines for those intending to contest for the presidency.
Of the 51 aspirants who picked up the forms on the opening day, six were women and 45 were men. Two collected forms on behalf of political parties — the Conservative Party and the National Economic and Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) Party — while the remaining 49 registered as independents.
Mucunguzi explained that the process is conducted under the Presidential Elections Act, which sets strict eligibility criteria. Each aspirant must secure the backing of at least 100 registered voters from at least two-thirds of Uganda’s 147 districts. This means signatures from a minimum of 9,800 supporters drawn from at least 98 districts.
Other requirements include being a Ugandan citizen, a registered voter, payment of a non-refundable nomination fee of Shs20 million, and compliance with all additional provisions outlined in the EC’s guidelines. The rules also detail how to submit forms, verify supporter signatures, and meet other obligations before nomination day.
The EC has called on district authorities and the public to assist aspirants in collecting signatures. “Anybody who comes with forms issued by the Electoral Commission should be given the support they need. They are engaging in lawful, democratic work provided for under the law,” Mucunguzi said.
The issuance of nomination forms marks the first step in the presidential election process. Once the 24 September deadline passes, the EC will verify all submissions before announcing official nomination dates.
Political observers say the high number of day-one applicants points to strong public interest and the likelihood of a crowded race. The EC has pledged to maintain a transparent and inclusive process, warning aspirants to strictly follow the rules to avoid disqualification during verification and nomination.
