By Peter Luzinda
The Independent Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that at least 11 presidential aspirants have so far successfully submitted supporter endorsement forms, a key constitutional requirement ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections. These submissions are now pending verification and vetting by the Commission.
Addressing the press in Kampala yesterday, EC spokesperson Mr. Julius Mucunguzi said the aspirants had met the legal obligation of gathering signatures from at least two-thirds of the country’s districts, as outlined in Uganda’s electoral laws.
“The law requires each presidential aspirant to be endorsed by a proposer and a seconder from at least two-thirds of the districts. Each registered voter is permitted to endorse only one aspirant. As of September 10, 2025, eleven aspirants had submitted their forms to the Commission,” Mucunguzi stated
Among the 11 confirmed aspirants, six are affiliated with political parties: National Unity Platform (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) Jimmy Akena, Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) Eric Steven Keddi, Conservative Party (CP) Joseph Elton Mabirizi, Common Man’s Party (CMP) Mubarak Sserunga Munyagwa, Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) Fred Chemuko Wakuri.
The independents include: Basil Godfrey Busiku, Michael Nkwanga, James Mubangizi, William David Magezi and Deo Kizito Lukyamuzi.
More submissions are expected in the coming days, including the ruling party, National Resistance Movement NRM, Forum for Democratic Change FDC, Democratic Party, Alliance for National Transformation among others.
Earlier in the electoral cycle, over 200 Ugandans had picked nomination forms with hopes of running for the presidency. However, the latest figures point to a significant narrowing of serious contenders.
Mucunguzi emphasized that the Commission will now begin scrutinizing the submitted forms to verify their authenticity and ensure full compliance with the electoral guidelines.
The EC has confirmed that presidential nominations will take place on September 23 and 24, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Kampala. Only those who successfully pass the endorsement verification process will be allowed to proceed to the nomination stage.
With the deadline approaching, political activity is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as aspirants finalize their preparations to officially enter the 2026 presidential race.
