By KT Reporter
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Justice Simon Byabakama, has remained non-committal on whether presidential nomination days will be extended, despite several aspirants still awaiting clearance from the signature verification process. The Commission gazetted Tuesday, 23rd, and Wednesday, 24th September, as nomination days for presidential candidates ahead of the 2026 general election.
By the end of Tuesday, several aspirants had not yet been cleared, pending approval of supporter signatures as required under Section 10 (1) (b) and (3) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 177, which demands at least 100 verified signatures from 98 districts across the country.
Those still pending by close of Tuesday included Rt. Gen. Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party (CMP), and independents Alvin Mivule and John Katumba, among others. Some had earlier been asked by the EC to “top up” on signatures flagged during the verification process. When asked whether the Commission would extend nomination days to accommodate those still undergoing verification, Justice Byabakama was cautious.
He added that while the Commission was prepared to be as flexible as possible within the confines of the law, any extension would only be considered if circumstances warranted it. “As to whether that would necessitate or require an extension of the period, we can only cross that bridge when we get there. I cannot answer affirmatively for now,” he said.
On the first day of nominations, the EC cleared three aspirants: incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the NRM, Kasibante Robert of the National Peasants Party (NPP), and Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party. For Wednesday, the EC confirmed only two names – Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert (Bobi Wine) of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
“The exercise of verifying the names and signatures of the supporters was ongoing from Tuesday morning. As I talk now, I have not gotten any confirmation or indication that there are other aspirants whose signatures have been confirmed; therefore, they are cleared to come for nomination on Wednesday,” Justice Byabakama said. He noted that the public would be updated once more aspirants are cleared.
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