The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced major adjustments to the nomination schedules for various elective positions ahead of the 2026 General Elections, citing the need to streamline the electoral process across different levels of government.
Addressing the media at the EC headquarters in Kampala on Thursday, August 7, 2025, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the changes affect local government, parliamentary, and presidential nominations, including those representing Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
The nomination period for local government candidates, which was initially set to run from September 3 to 12, 2025, has now been dis aggregated to allow for separate nomination dates for various elective positions.
Nominations for district and city chairpersons, including Lord Mayors and Councillors, will now take place from Wednesday, September 3 to Friday, September 5, 2025, at the offices of the respective district or city returning officers. Municipality and city division chairpersons and Councillors will be nominated from September 8 to 10, 2025, at their corresponding district offices.
Nomination forms and guidelines for district, municipal, and sub-county Councillors will be available starting Monday, August 11, 2025, from the respective district or city Electoral Commission offices. Candidates vying for the positions of district chairperson or city mayor will be able to download the necessary forms directly from the Commission’s website at https://www.ec.or.ug beginning the same day.
Justice Byabakama also announced a change to the nomination schedule for parliamentary candidates, including those representing Special Interest Groups. The nominations, which were earlier set for September 16 and 17, 2025, have been pushed to Wednesday, October 15 and Thursday, October 16, 2025.
All candidates for parliamentary seats will present their nomination papers at the offices of the district or city returning officers. Forms and guidelines for parliamentary nominations will also be accessible from the EC website starting August 11, 2025.
For presidential aspirants, the Commission has designated Monday, August 11, 2025, as the start date for the collection of nomination documents and related materials. These will include the official nomination forms, forms for collecting signatures from at least 100 registered voters in at least two-thirds of Uganda’s districts approximately 98 as well as detailed nomination guidelines.
‘’All those vying for presidents you are required to collect signatures of not less than 100 supporters from two thirds of the district. Each district of the two thirds should give you 100 supporters of above. When you compute two thirds in the current number of districts in the country that is about 98 districts,’’ stated Byabakama.
Unlike other positions, presidential aspirants are required to collect these forms in person at the EC headquarters in Kampala.
According to Byabakama, the requirement for personal collection is intended to enable the Commission to identify and document each aspirant, and to notify local authorities in advance to avoid obstruction and ensure support during their nationwide activities.
‘’By September 10, 2025, we expect all the presidential aspirants to have submitted their forms. The supporters should be registered voters in that district’’ he stressed.
The Commission has also set September 10, 2025, as the deadline for submission of completed supporter forms, to allow adequate time for verification.
Aspirants or their agents collecting forms on behalf of political parties must present a written letter of authorization signed by the party’s Secretary General or an officially designated representative.
Justice Byabakama thanked all stakeholders for their continued support in the electoral process and commended voters under Special Interest Groups for their active participation in the ongoing electoral program. He urged all involved to take note of the revised timelines and to adhere to the Commission’s guidelines as the country moves closer to the 2026 General Elections.
The Electoral Commission continues to implement its roadmap in preparation for what is expected to be a pivotal electoral season for Uganda.
