By Fidel Boy Leon
As Uganda gears up for the 2026 presidential elections, attention at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala has shifted from aspirants to automobiles.
This week, the EC unveiled a fleet of brand-new vehicles that will provide security and logistical support to candidates during next week’s high-stakes nomination exercise.
The delivery included ten Toyota Land Cruiser Prados designated for commissioners and 15 pickups intended to escort successful presidential hopefuls from the nomination site.
Fresh from the showroom, these vehicles symbolise the Commission’s readiness to manage a smooth nomination process. Yet, for all the fanfare, the spotlight has not yet turned to the candidates themselves, most of whom remain absent from the EC offices.
With the nomination deadline fast approaching, only 38 of the more than 200 aspirants who picked nomination forms have returned them for verification.
This gap has sparked questions about who will make it onto the 2026 ballot. EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi noted that while logistics are in place, many aspirants are still scrambling to meet the legal requirements.
“The Prados are for commissioners, while the pickups will provide security for presidential candidates who complete their nomination,” Mucunguzi explained. “The vehicles are ready, but the candidates are not. Out of more than 200 who picked forms, only 38 have so far submitted their nomination papers.”
Several aspiring presidential candidates voiced frustration, claiming delays in certification are hampering their ability to raise the mandatory UGX 20 million nomination fee. Moses Byamugisha, a first-time aspirant, said, “We are ready with our documents, but the Commission must first clear us so that we can show our supporters proof and raise the money.”
Katumba John, another contender, echoed similar concerns, noting that mobilising supporters and resources becomes difficult without official clearance.
“Without confirmation from the EC, it is challenging to meet the financial and administrative requirements. This delay is blocking our preparations,” he said.
First-time aspirant Ivan Kisakye added, “Time is running out. We need the Commission to confirm us quickly so that we can meet all the requirements and campaign effectively.”
Despite these anxieties, the EC has urged patience and adherence to the rules. Mucunguzi emphasised that only those aspirants who meet all verification criteria will be cleared for nomination.
“We encourage all aspirants to return their forms in time. The chair is only for the willing,” he said, underlining the importance of compliance in maintaining a fair and orderly process.
The Commission is expected to officially take over the Lubowa grounds on Friday, the venue where presidential nominations will be conducted next week.
The new site at Lubowa, near the EC’s Lweza headquarters, is designed to handle large crowds and facilitate a secure and organised process, including the verification of aspirants and the formal declaration of those cleared to contest.
Analysts say the combination of high logistical preparedness and the slow pace of submissions illustrates a familiar tension in Uganda’s electoral cycle: the EC moves swiftly to ensure institutional readiness, but aspirants often lag in meeting procedural obligations, sometimes due to financial or administrative constraints.
The fleet rollout also signals the Commission’s commitment to ensuring security and order during nominations.
Presidential aspirants often attract significant crowds, supporters, and, occasionally, opposition protests. The deployment of 25 new vehicles, therefore, is not merely a logistical measure but a strategic move to safeguard both candidates and the integrity of the nomination process.
Meanwhile, political observers note that the low return rate of nomination forms could reshape the field. Of the initial 200-plus aspirants who picked forms, only a fraction have completed the verification process, suggesting that several hopefuls may miss out due to procedural delays or inability to meet the requirements.
As the countdown to the September 23–24 nomination window continues, the EC appears poised, vehicles gleaming, ready to welcome candidates who have done the necessary groundwork.
For the aspirants still scrambling, the message is clear: the Commission is prepared, but only the diligent and compliant will secure a place in the 2026 race.