The long-awaited Presidential Nominations for Uganda’s 2025/2026 General Elections have officially concluded, marking a significant milestone in the country’s electoral process.
The nominations, which took place on 23rd and 24th September 2025, were held at the Electoral Commission (EC) grounds in Lweza, Lubowa, Wakiso District. A total of eight candidates have been duly nominated to contest in the upcoming presidential race.
On the first day of nominations, three candidates were confirmed, including the incumbent, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who represents the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Also nominated on Day 1 were Robert Kasibante of the National People’s Party (NPP) and Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party (CP). These three candidates officially joined the race, setting the stage for what promises to be a heated election.
The second day saw the nomination of five more candidates. The first to be nominated was James Nathan Nandala Mafabi, representing the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
He was followed by Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera from the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), and Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, the popular opposition leader from the National Unity Platform (NUP). Also nominated were Mubarak Sserunga Munyagwa from the Common Man’s Party (CMP) and Frank Kabinga Bulira of the Reform Party of Uganda (RPP).
The nomination exercise, which was overseen by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, followed the legal requirements of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 179. This act sets the guidelines for the nomination process, ensuring that all candidates meet the necessary criteria to run for the highest office in the land.
Now that the nominations are complete, the official campaign period is set to begin on 29th September 2025. Candidates will have the opportunity to engage with voters, present their manifestos, and campaign for support as the race to secure the presidency intensifies. The Electoral Commission will harmonize the candidates’ campaign schedules to ensure a fair and orderly process.
As the candidates prepare for the campaigns, Ugandans are already bracing themselves for what is expected to be one of the most competitive and closely watched elections in the country’s history. With a mix of established politicians, new challengers, and a variety of political ideologies, the 2026 election will certainly be a test of the country’s democratic maturity.
The announcement of the final candidates also signals the beginning of public discussions and debates on Uganda’s future leadership. As the nation heads toward the polls, citizens will have the opportunity to weigh their options and make their voices heard in this critical election.
As the campaign period officially begins in just a few days, all eyes will be on the candidates to see how they will engage the electorate and whether they can inspire the change that many Ugandans are hoping for in the years to come.
