By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Chairperson of the Electoral commission has revealed that Members of Parliament and Presidential Candidates must stop their campaigns on 13th January, 2026, two days to the polling day.
He also says the commission is overwhelmed with 200 petitions filed by candidates from various Local Government Units and that he commission is currently hearing the 200 petitions and decision is being taken to dispose them off.
Speaking to the press on October 21, 2025 at the commission’s headquarters in Kampala, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi warned candidates who were nominated for elective posts at Local government Level to stop campaigns till the official campaign date of November 10, 2025.
Regarding nomination of MPs , Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said the exercise will run from 22-23 October 2025 and will be conducted at their respective districts or cities except legislators for special interest groups like workers MP, youth MP, Elderly MP, People with Disabilities among others.
He noted that directly elected MPs will be nominated from 363 constituencies, woman MPs from 146 districts. While elder persons have 5 slots, Pwd MPs 5 slots, workers MP 5 slots and Youth MP 5 slots. On this note, he emphasized that all aspirants must be citizens of Uganda and must be registered voters, 18 years, have acceptance letter of the appointed agent and name of the sponsor.
He expressed concern on the disconnect within political party hierarchy whereby the party District registrar nominates a candidate and then the following day the party secretary General nominates another candidate.
“Political parties should nominate the right flag bearers. They should also streamline their internal processes of nomination of their flag bearers,” he says.
On nomination fees , Justice Simon Byabakama maintained Shs .3 million which he says must be paid to a designated Bank account in any Bank adding that nomination fees should not be paid to local government nomination center. He asked aspirants to present their bank slips to the returning officer for verification.
He reminded aspirants to attach two passport photos on their nomination papers which will be used to print their ballot papers.
He also asked all MP aspirants to appear at the nomination venue with only two cars each carrying ten people but each car must bear a police sticker.
Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said upon successful nomination of a candidate he/she is free to launch his/her campaign manifesto at a selected venue but in compliance with traffic Laws.
Regarding the ongoing presidential campaigns, Justice Simon Byabakama said the campaigns are moving on very well and announced that polling for presidential candidates and parliamentarians will take place on January 15, 2026. He, however says campaigns will run till January 13,2026.
Justice Simon Byabakama appealed to all stakeholders to maintain peace and stability during electoral process.
Justice Simon Byabakama further revealed that the commission has started receiving reports of death of nominated candidates and that the commission plans to fix fresh nomination exercise.
“Only a slot left by a dead candidate shall be filled. For that matter, nomination will take place from October 27-28, 2025.
Byabakama Mugenyi warned nominated candidates against using money to influence voters saying this is a criminal offence and the culprits will face courts of Laws. He however says candidates are at liberty to fundraise money to fund their campaigns or agents.
