By: Boy Fidel Leon
Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) is once again stepping into the spotlight, as the country edges closer to the January 2026 general elections.
With 30 presidential hopefuls already submitting supporter signatures, the EC faces its familiar yet daunting task of balancing transparency, neutrality, and political pressure in a contest whose credibility will define the nation’s democratic image.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the commission’s chairperson, confirmed that all 30 aspirants cleared the first hurdle of turning in endorsements from at least 100 registered voters from 98 districts. This is a legal need that amounts to roughly 10,000 signatures per candidate.
The EC’s job now is to go through thousands of names, ensuring every backer is a registered voter in their district. The commission’s mandate is to ensure that all the supporters signed for one contender.
“The process is rigorous,” Byabakama explained at a press briefing in Kampala. “Verification involves matching names, signatures, and voter records. Only then do we issue a compliance certificate.” Those certificates set precedent for the next steps following the elections. These steps include the nomination fees and official clearance later this month.
Amongst the hopefuls, familiar political heavyweights dominate the list. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, 80, comfortably surpassed requirements. He submitted more than 2.2 million signatures. He was endorsed for his seventh term by his party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known to millions as Bobi Wine, is also vying for the seat. He reiterated his vow to challenge Museveni.
The other repeat contenders include Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change, and Jimmy Akena of the Uganda People’s Congress. Journalist-turned-pastor Joseph Kabuleta, and Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao.
Younger voices, too, are seeking space. John Katumba, who stole the hearts of many in 2021 as the youngest-ever presidential candidate, has re-entered the race. He enters the race with the same independent fervour.
With such a crowded field, the EC’s verification work carries high stakes. Officials have already flagged errors, from minors as young as 13 appearing on endorsement lists. There have also been circumstances of mismatched voter districts. Byabakama warned that such mistakes “could sink a campaign.” He urged aspirants to double-check submissions before deadlines close on September 24.
Beyond the presidential race, the EC is handling close together with 100 petitions from local elections. About 30 hearings have been concluded, with more in the pipeline. The commission is also mediating party disputes, from the Democratic Party to the Uganda People’s Congress and Kabuleta’s NEED. The friction is a result of the party battling over who has the legitimate right to nominate candidates.
For Byabakama, these parallel responsibilities highlight the tightrope the EC must walk. “We hear everyone, petitioners, respondents, even returning officers,” he said. But in practice, every ruling risks interruption through the lens of partisan advantage.
Uganda’s elections have rarely been free from controversy. The 2021 contest saw widespread allegations of intimidation, violence, and internet blackouts. Many critics accused the EC of bias toward the incumbent. Byabakama’s pledge that “transparency is our cornerstone.” This, therefore, is more than routine rhetoric; it is a bid to shore up public trust in an institution often doubted.
Neutrality will be the EC’s biggest test. On one side lies the ruling party, which has held power for nearly four decades. On the other are opposition leaders who accuse the state of weaponising security forces and bureaucracy against them. Between them sits the commission, tasked with refereeing the most contentious game in Uganda’s political life.
The weeks ahead will reveal whether the EC can rise above the fray. Verified contenders will be officially nominated in late September. The campaign is expected to kick off in October. The commission’s ability to deliver timely decisions, prevent irregularities, and ensure fair access to the ballot. This ability will not only shape the credibility of the 2026 polls but also Uganda’s democratic trajectory.
Ugandans, weary of disputed results and post-election tensions, will be watching.
For the EC, the drumbeat is already thundering. Whether it can adjust its steps to the rhythm of transparency and neutrality may determine if the 2026 elections restore faith in the ballot or deepen the fault lines of doubt.