By KT Reporter
The race for Uganda’s presidency is heating up after 35 aspirants out of over 100 who picked nomination forms have officially returned their lists of supporters to the Electoral Commission -EC. This is a key requirement before they can be nominated to contest in the 2026 general elections. According to the Presidential Elections Act, anyone seeking to run for president must first prove that they have national support.
The law requires each aspirant to present at least 100 registered voters from two-thirds of the districts of Uganda. With Uganda having at 146 districts, this means a minimum of 9,800 supporters from at least 98 districts.
The supporters must be Ugandan citizens, at least 18 years old, registered on the national voters’ roll, and they cannot endorse more than one candidate.
While speaking to journalists this morning, the EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, revealed that as of close of business yesterday, up to 35 aspirants had returned their supporter lists. He adds that the EC has started verifying the submitted lists a process meant to ensure that all supporters are genuine and that the aspirants qualify for nomination. “Our staff are working day and night to go through every name. We must confirm that the supporters meet all legal requirements,” said Mucunguzi.
He stresses that the verification will determine who qualifies for the official nomination stage later this year. Out of the 35 aspirants, 13 are from political parties while 22 are independents. Only one woman, Pauline Nankambwe, has submitted her list, with the rest being men.
Documents from the EC indicate that those who have returned their supporter lists include; Mabirizi Joseph – Independent, Akena James Michael Jimmy – Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Busiku Basil Godfrey – Independent, Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga – Congress for People’s Movement (CMP), Nkwanga Michael – Independent, Mubangizi James – Independent and Magezi David William – Independent.
The list also includes Chemuko Wakubi Fred – Independent Democratic Party (IDP), Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert (Bobi Wine) – National Unity Platform (NUP), Kizito Deo Lukyamuzi – Independent Keddi Steven Eric – Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), Buule Kasim Male – Independent, Byamukama Henry – Independent, Museveni Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta – National Resistance Movement (NRM), Nandala Mafabi James Nathan – Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Akampurira Deogratius – Independent.
Others are Kabuleeta Kiiza Joseph – National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), Katushabe Ronald – Independent, Mivule Alvin – Independent, Kasibante Robert – National People’s Party (NPP) Katumba John – Independent, Ntezibyaayo Francis – IndependentNsereko Muhammad – Economic Power of Uganda (EPU), Magera George William – People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mugisha Muntu Gregg – Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Ssebyala Henry – Independent, Bulira Frank – Renewed People’s Party (RPP), Kalyesubula Benjamin – Independent, and Muhamudu Abdala – Independent.
Then Mawaije Francis – Independent, Mutto Milton – Independent, Kasajja Wycliff Kizza – Independent, Bbaale Charles – Independent, Nankambwe Pauline – Independent (only female aspirant) and Ssali Jamil Sulaiman – Coalition for Social Empowerment and Voice (COSEVO).
Mucunguzi, notes that the EC will complete the verification process before the nomination dates are announced. If any aspirant fails to meet the legal requirements such as lacking enough supporters from the required districts, they will be disqualified. “Those who pass verification will be formally nominated and allowed to campaign across the country,” he emphasized.
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