KAMPALA, UGANDA— In a significant shift to Uganda’s electoral roadmap, the country’s Electoral Commission has revised the presidential nomination dates for the 2025/2026 general elections, moving them nearly two weeks earlier than originally planned. The decision, officials say, is aimed at giving candidates and electoral officials more breathing room before the campaign season begins.
The presidential nominations, initially set for October 2nd and 3rd, will now be held on September 23rd and 24th. Speaking at a press conference in Kampala, Justice Simon Byabakama, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, explained that the adjustment was a strategic move to safeguard the integrity and logistics of the electoral process.
“If we were to maintain the earlier nomination dates, these post-nomination processes would drastically reduce the period available for campaigns,” Byabakama told journalists. Among the critical steps that follow nomination are the verification of nomination returns, printing of ballot paper samples, harmonization of campaign programs, and the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by all candidates—steps the Commission says are essential to a smooth and transparent election.
A Tight Calendar in a Tense Season
With Uganda heading toward a high-stakes election season, the revised calendar is already setting the tone. Presidential campaigns are now scheduled to begin on October 4th, running through January 12th, 2026—a 100-day stretch expected to be politically charged and closely watched both locally and internationally.
The Electoral Commission also outlined updated timelines for other elective positions. Nominations for local government and special interest groups (SIGs) will now take place from September 3rd to 12th, while nominations for members of Parliament will be conducted on September 16th and 17th. Parliamentary campaigns will kick off earlier—on September 23rd—and run concurrently with presidential campaigns through January.
The timeline crunch is already being felt across party headquarters, many of which are racing to finalize internal vetting processes, secure required endorsements, and fine-tune campaign machinery in light of the adjustments.
A High Bar for Presidential Hopefuls
Justice Byabakama also used the occasion to remind prospective presidential candidates of the constitutional and legal thresholds required for nomination. “Each candidate must present at least 100 registered voters from no fewer than two-thirds of all districts in Uganda,” he said. That translates to support from at least 97 districts—a logistical and political hurdle that has, in the past, eliminated several hopefuls before the race even begins.
The commission will soon issue official guidelines on the collection and submission of supporter signatures and announce when candidates can pick up the official nomination forms.
Meanwhile, parliamentary and local government aspirants are advised to watch for forthcoming announcements detailing timelines and submission procedures for their respective races.
Looking Ahead
This election cycle comes at a moment of rising political temperature and public expectation. With the electorate growing younger and more digitally connected, and with questions around governance, service delivery, and civil liberties on the minds of many voters, the stakes are high.
The Electoral Commission has urged all parties and candidates to adhere strictly to electoral guidelines and timelines in order to avoid disqualification or legal challenges.
For now, all eyes are on September—when Uganda’s next chapter begins to take shape, one nomination at a time.