By Ronnie Wabomba
NATIONAL
The Electoral Commission (EC) has cleared two candidates — Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Flagbearer, Nathan Nandala Mafabi James and incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) — to proceed to the next stage of nomination for the 2026 race. Independent aspirant Joseph Male Mabirizi has also secured clearance, leaving 35 other hopefuls anxiously waiting for confirmation of their eligibility.
The Commission revealed on Sunday that out of 38 individuals who submitted supporter lists, only three had successfully met the stringent legal requirements. A total of 27 aspirants’ forms have already undergone verification, while the rest remain under scrutiny. The window is quickly narrowing as official nominations are slated for September 23 and 24, 2025, at the Commission headquarters in Lweza-Lubowa, Makindye Ssabagabo.
The Tough Hurdle of Supporter Verification
The Presidential Elections Act requires each aspirant to present at least 100 registered voters from no fewer than two-thirds of Uganda’s 147 districts. This translates into a minimum of 9,800 valid signatures drawn from at least 98 districts. Supporters must provide names, signatures, voter identification numbers, and physical addresses. The law also bars any voter from endorsing more than one aspirant, with offenders facing fines of UGX 480,000, a one-year prison sentence, or both.
According to EC spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi, the verification process is painstaking, designed to weed out duplication and ensure genuine nationwide backing. “This is not a formality. It is a legal requirement, and only those who comply will be nominated,” he said.
Mucunguzi explained that many lists fail because of repeated entries, missing voter details, or inadequate district coverage. “This stage separates serious aspirants with broad support from those whose ambitions are limited to certain regions or communities,” he added.
Cleared: Museveni, Nandala, Mabirizi
President Museveni’s clearance was widely expected given the NRM’s extensive organizational machinery. Nathan Nandala Mafabi’s green light, however, has given the FDC a major boost, placing him firmly on the ballot to challenge the incumbent. Independent aspirant Joseph Male Mabirizi, a veteran of previous races, also joins the cleared group, underscoring his consistency in navigating Uganda’s strict nomination rules.
For the 36 others, however, the wait continues. Some have been informed of deficiencies in their submissions, while others remain under review. With the nomination date drawing near, the pressure is mounting to fix gaps or risk being locked out of the contest.
Lessons from Past Elections
The current struggle echoes past patterns. In the 2021 elections, over 80 people expressed interest in the presidency, but only 11 candidates made it onto the ballot. Many fell short due to invalid supporter lists or failure to meet the geographical spread requirement.
Countdown to Nomination
The EC has cautioned that there will be no extensions. “Once nominations close on September 24, no further submissions will be accepted,” Mucunguzi warned. He urged aspirants still in the process to use the remaining time wisely.
As the nation watches, the spotlight now rests on whether any of the 36 aspirants still in limbo will secure clearance before the nomination deadline. For now, it is Museveni, Nandala, and Mabirizi who stand as the confirmed contenders in what promises to be another defining election for Uganda.
