As Uganda prepares for the 2025/2026 General Elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has issued an important reminder to all individuals who wish to contest for positions such as President, Member of Parliament, District or City Chairperson, and Lord Mayor. The message is clear — make sure your academic qualifications are in order well before the nomination period.
According to the Electoral Commission, anyone wishing to stand for these elective positions must prove that they have at least an Advanced Level (A-Level) certificate or its equivalent. Those who studied in Uganda and already have their A-Level or higher qualifications, such as diplomas or degrees from Ugandan institutions, do not need to go through any verification process.
However, the Commission emphasizes that aspirants who studied outside Uganda, or who claim to have qualifications equivalent to the A-Level standard but did not go through Uganda’s A-Level system, must obtain a Certificate of Equivalency from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). This is to confirm that their academic level is acceptable under Ugandan law. After getting this certificate, candidates are required to submit it to the EC to establish their qualifications — and this must be done at least two months before the nomination dates.
In addition, the EC has clarified that anyone who used a certificate of equivalency in a previous election must get a fresh certificate for the 2025/2026 elections unless they have since acquired a higher qualification.
For those without A-Level qualifications but who claim to have an equivalent from outside Uganda or from the former University of East Africa, they must go through the same NCHE verification process. Also, such aspirants must ensure they first consult the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), then take their documents to NCHE for evaluation.
The Electoral Commission encourages all potential candidates to visit either the EC headquarters in Kampala or their District Election Administrator (DEA) to complete this process in time. Failure to do so could result in disqualification from the nomination process.
This announcement, signed by Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the EC Chairperson, serves as a wake-up call to all aspiring leaders — don’t wait for the last minute. Verifying your academic qualifications is not only a legal requirement but also a step toward building a trustworthy and credible leadership for Uganda.
