By Jumah Kakomo
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has officially announced January 15, 2026, as the polling date for Uganda’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
The announcement was made today by IEC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama at the commission’s headquarters in Kampala, just hours ahead of the parliamentary nomination process scheduled for October 22–23, 2025. He confirmed that all campaign activities will come to an end on January 13, 2026.
According to Byabakama, campaigns for local government and parliamentary elections will officially begin on November 10, 2025. Between November 24 and 27, candidates will hold coordination meetings in their respective districts to harmonize campaign schedules and avoid conflicts.
Byabakama also issued a stern warning to aspiring candidates, emphasizing that they must meet all legal requirements before submitting themselves for nomination. Failure to comply, he noted, would lead to disqualification.
To be eligible, candidates must have completed Advanced Level (A-Level) education, be registered voters, and present valid endorsements supporting their candidacy. Additionally, aspirants are required to submit completed nomination forms, pay the prescribed nomination fees, and provide proof of payment.
He concluded by stating that the IEC will rigorously enforce all electoral laws and regulations to ensure a free, fair, and credible election process.
