Uganda Today: Electoral Commission Adjusts Presidential Nomination Dates Ahead of Uganda’s 2026 General Elections
By Uganda Today Reporter | Published on www.ugandatoday.co.ug
KAMPALA – Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) has officially announced changes to the nomination dates for presidential candidates ahead of the 2025/2026 General Elections. In a press briefing held at the EC headquarters in Kampala, Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama revealed that presidential nominations will now take place on 23rd and 24th September 2025, instead of the previously scheduled 2nd and 3rd October 2025.
The adjustment, according to Justice Byabakama, is intended to provide adequate time for post-nomination activities such as harmonising campaign programs, capturing nomination returns, producing ballot paper samples, and securing memoranda of understanding among presidential candidates.
“If we were to maintain the earlier nomination dates, these post-nomination processes would drastically reduce the campaign period,” Byabakama explained.
Revised Key Electoral Dates
In addition to the shift in presidential nominations, the EC also reaffirmed critical dates under the comprehensive 2025/2026 electoral roadmap. These include:
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Local Government Nominations: 3rd – 12th September 2025
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Parliamentary Nominations: 16th – 17th September 2025
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Presidential Nominations: 23rd – 24th September 2025
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SIGs Representatives to Local Governments: 8th – 12th December 2025
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Campaign Periods:
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Local Government: 13th September 2025 – 12th January 2026
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Parliamentary: 23rd September 2025 – 12th January 2026
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Presidential: 4th October 2025 – 12th January 2026
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Polling Period (All Levels): 12th January – 9th February 2026
Justice Byabakama urged political parties, independent aspirants, and voters to take note of these timelines and prepare accordingly.
Pre-Nomination Requirements for Presidential Aspirants
The Electoral Commission reminded prospective presidential candidates of the legal requirement to gather signatures from at least 100 registered voters in not less than two-thirds of Uganda’s districts—approximately 97 districts.
The Commission is expected to announce soon the start date for collecting supporter forms and the accompanying timelines for signature submission and verification.
Nomination forms for Parliamentary and Local Government Council aspirants will also be released soon, together with specific nomination guidelines.
Clarification on Academic Qualifications
In a bid to streamline the verification process of academic qualifications, the Commission provided detailed guidance:
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Minimum Requirement: Aspirants for President, MP, and District/City Chairpersons must possess an Advanced Level (A Level) certificate or its equivalent.
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Foreign Qualifications: Must be verified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in consultation with UNEB.
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Equivalency Certificates: Must be newly acquired for the 2025/2026 elections; previous certificates are not valid unless a higher qualification has since been attained locally.
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Exemptions: The following categories do not require verification from NCHE:
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Aspirants with A-Level certificates obtained in Uganda
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Aspirants with higher qualifications obtained in Uganda
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Aspirants with degrees from the former University of East Africa or its constituent colleges
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Those required to verify their qualifications must submit the relevant NCHE certification to either the EC headquarters or the respective District Election Administrator at least two months before nominations.
A Call for Inclusive Participation
Justice Byabakama extended appreciation to stakeholders and especially voters from Special Interest Groups (SIGs)—including Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities, and Youth—for their continued participation in ongoing electoral activities.
He concluded by urging all stakeholders to actively engage in the roadmap’s upcoming stages in compliance with EC guidelines.
Follow @uganda43443 on X for timely updates and analysis of Uganda’s unfolding electoral journey.
#UgandaDecides2026 #ElectoralCommissionUganda #PresidentialNominations #JusticeByabakama #UGRoadmap2025
For full electoral details and real-time updates, visit www.ugandatoday.co.ug.
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