Uganda’s Electoral Commission Adjusts Nomination Window for Key Political Offices
During a press briefing held at the Commission headquarters in Kampala, Justice Byabakama stated that the adjustments aim to streamline the nomination process and allow for better coordination among stakeholders involved in the electoral cycle.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, has officially announced adjustments to key dates in the Roadmap for Uganda’s 2025/2026 General Elections. The changes affect the nomination periods for Local Government Councils, Parliamentary, and Presidential Elections.
During a press briefing held at the Commission headquarters in Kampala, Justice Byabakama stated that the adjustments aim to streamline the nomination process and allow for better coordination among stakeholders involved in the electoral cycle.
Initially scheduled to run from 3rd to 12th September 2025, the nomination exercise for Local Government Councils will now be conducted in phases based on levels of government. The updated schedule is as follows:
District/City Chairpersons, Lord Mayor, and Councillors:
Wednesday 3rd – Friday 5th September 2025 at the respective District/City Returning Officer's offices.
Municipality/City Division Chairpersons and Councillors:
Monday 8th – Wednesday 10th September 2025 at the District/City Returning Officer's offices.
Sub County/Town/Municipal Divisions Chairpersons and Councillors:
Thursday 11th – Wednesday 24th September 2025 (excluding weekends) at respective County Headquarters.
Nomination forms and guidelines will be available for collection starting Monday 11th August 2025 from District/City Electoral Commission offices. Forms for District Chairpersons can also be downloaded from the Commission’s official website: www.ec.or.ug.
The nomination period for Parliamentary Elections, including Special Interest Groups (Youths, Persons with Disabilities, and Older Persons), has been moved from 16–17 September 2025 to the new dates of Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th October 2025.
Nomination forms and guidelines will be available for download starting 11th August 2025 from the Commission’s website.
A key highlight of the briefing was the announcement of the designated period for collecting nomination documents for the 2026 Presidential Elections. From Monday 11th August to Wednesday 24th September 2025, presidential aspirants will be able to collect:
Nomination forms
Supporter forms (requiring at least 100 signatures from registered voters in two-thirds of Uganda’s districts)
Guidelines for nomination and campaign conduct Collection will be done physically at the Electoral Commission Head Office on Plot 1-3 & 5, 7th Street Industrial Area, Kampala, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays.
To promote transparency and security:
Representatives of political parties must present written authorization from the Secretary General or a designated official.
Independent aspirants must show proof of registration as voters.
Justice Byabakama emphasized that physical collection helps the Commission track potential candidates and alert relevant authorities for field coordination.
The Chairperson expressed appreciation to all electoral stakeholders for their active engagement and support in implementing the Roadmap thus far. He especially acknowledged the ongoing participation of voters under Special Interest Groups at various electoral levels.
Justice Byabakama urged all Ugandans to stay informed, participate peacefully, and adhere strictly to electoral guidelines as the country prepares for yet another historic democratic exercise.
“A soft copy of the updated Roadmap is available on the Electoral Commission website. We encourage all stakeholders to remain engaged and follow the timeline diligently,” he concluded.
