By Diana Kintu
The Electoral Commission of Uganda has released detailed guidelines to help the public and aspiring candidates navigate the nomination and campaign processes for the upcoming 2026 General Elections. These guidelines are meant to ensure transparency, orderliness, and fairness as the country moves closer to another major democratic exercise.
The nomination of candidates for parliamentary seats officially began on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, October 23, 2025. During these two days, nominations are conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The Commission has emphasised the importance of punctuality and preparedness, noting that late submissions will not be entertained once the deadline passes.
Nomination venues vary depending on the elective position. Candidates for Directly Elected Member of Parliament and District Woman Representative are being nominated at their respective district or city headquarters across the country. Meanwhile, individuals seeking to represent Special Interest Groups—including Workers, Youth, Older Persons, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)—are presenting their documents at the Electoral Commission Headquarters in Kampala. This distinction helps streamline the process and ensure that every category of representative follows the appropriate legal procedures.
On the day of nomination, each aspirant must present all required documents for verification by Commission officials. The verification process is thorough, as it ensures that only individuals who meet the legal and constitutional requirements are approved to contest. Aspirants must also appear in person, accompanied by two registered voters who serve as their nominators. Once all documents are confirmed to be in order, the Commission will declare the individual a duly nominated candidate.
After the nomination period, attention will shift to the campaign phase, which is a critical component of the election process. The Commission has organised meetings between all nominated candidates and their respective District or City Returning Officers from October 24 to 27, 2025. The purpose of these meetings is to harmonise campaign programs, avoid scheduling conflicts, and ensure that all candidates have fair access to voters. Official campaign activities will begin on November 10, 2025, and continue for over two months, ending on January 13, 2026.
In his address to candidates, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and compliance with the law during campaigns. He urged candidates to organise their rallies and meetings in line with Uganda’s traffic regulations and the Public Order Management Act. He also called upon campaign teams to promote tolerance and respect for differing political views, noting that a peaceful campaign environment benefits both candidates and citizens.
The Commission has further confirmed that polling for both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections—covering Directly Elected MPs and District Woman Representatives—will take place on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
To enhance transparency and accessibility, the Commission has established a Help Desk to provide guidance, handle enquiries, and clarify legal or procedural issues. Members of the public can contact the desk through toll-free numbers 0800 300121 and 0800 300122, or the chargeable lines 0392 004158 and 0393 280488 during official working hours.
The Electoral Commission is calling upon all stakeholders—candidates, their agents, supporters, and citizens—to embrace peace, integrity, and respect throughout the electoral process. By doing so, Ugandans can collectively ensure that the 2026 General Elections are conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner, reflecting the true spirit of democracy.