Uganda is preparing for the next presidential elections in 2026, and the Electoral Commission has officially announced the dates for candidate nominations. Aspiring presidential candidates will have the chance to submit their nomination papers on Tuesday, 23rd September, and Wednesday, 24th September 2025. The nominations will take place at the Electoral Commission Head Office Grounds, located at Plot 2508, Lubowa, along Kigo-Lweza Road in Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District. The process will run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on both days, providing a full day for candidates and their teams to complete the required formalities.
To qualify for nomination, candidates must be Ugandan citizens by birth, registered voters, and at least 18 years old. They must also provide certified copies of educational certificates showing that they have completed a minimum of Advanced (A) Level education or its equivalent. Each nomination must be supported by at least one hundred registered voters from not less than ninety-eight districts, which represents two-thirds of Uganda’s districts and cities.
The Electoral Commission has provided a detailed list of requirements for nomination. Candidates must submit their nomination papers in triplicate, a declaration of consent to run, proof of education, proof of voter registration for themselves and their proposers and seconders, three recent passport-size photographs, a certificate of compliance from the Commission, and proof of payment of a non-refundable nomination fee of 20 million Ugandan Shillings. Independent candidates are also required to select a campaign symbol and appoint an official agent. Additionally, candidates are encouraged to bring a proposed campaign schedule beginning on 29th September 2025, to help with coordination after the nominations are completed.
Access to the nomination venue will be strictly controlled. Only individuals who have been invited and accredited to participate in or observe the process will be allowed entry. This measure ensures a smooth, organized, and transparent nomination exercise, reflecting the Electoral Commission’s commitment to a fair and credible presidential election.
With these preparations in place, Uganda is set to witness an important step toward its 2026 presidential elections, as potential leaders take the first official step toward contesting the nation’s highest office. Citizens and political observers alike are expected to closely follow the nominations, marking the start of a crucial period in Uganda’s democratic journey.
