Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), has confirmed that Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following the successful nomination of Presidential candidates last month.
Justice Byabakama made the announcement on Tuesday while addressing journalists on the Commission’s final preparations for the nomination of candidates for the 2026 Parliamentary Elections, scheduled for Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd October 2025.
He said the nomination exercise will be conducted at district and city headquarters across the country, starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. each day. The process will cover Directly-elected Members of Parliament, District Woman Representatives, and Members representing Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
“The Commission calls upon all stakeholders in the electoral process to take note of the above dates and to ensure compliance with the nomination requirements and procedures,” Justice Byabakama said.
He added that nominations for Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Workers, and Youth representatives will take place at the Electoral Commission Headquarters on Seventh Street, Industrial Area, Kampala, during the same period. Nominations for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) representatives will be conducted at a later date.
Justice Byabakama outlined a list of requirements for aspirants, including being a citizen of Uganda, a registered voter, and at least 18 years of age. Each nomination must be seconded by two registered voters and supported by at least ten others from the constituency.
Candidates are also required to pay a nomination fee of UGX 3 million through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) online system, present certified academic qualifications, two color passport photos, and proof of resignation in the case of public officers.
He cautioned aspirants against paying fees to district or city accounts, noting that verification will be done at the respective district offices.
Aspirants will also be restricted to two vehicles per convoy, each carrying no more than ten people, all bearing police stickers.
To ease the nomination process, the EC has established a Query and Complaints Desk at its headquarters in Kampala. The desk will handle verification inquiries, legal guidance, and any nomination-related issues through both toll-free and regular phone lines.
The EC said the desk will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout the nomination period.
Justice Byabakama further announced that campaigns for parliamentary candidates will begin on November 10, 2025, and run until January 13, 2026, after Returning Officers meet all nominated candidates between October 24 and 27, 2025, to harmonize campaign schedules.
Elections for Special Interest Groups will be held between January 13 and February 9, 2026, with exact dates to be announced later.
The EC Chairperson commended all presidential candidates, their agents, the Uganda Police Force, and the public for maintaining peace during the ongoing campaigns.
“The Commission calls on all participants, agents, supporters, and the general public to uphold the values of peace, dignity, and mutual respect throughout the nomination process and the upcoming campaign period,” he said.
Justice Byabakama reaffirmed the EC’s commitment to conducting a transparent, professional, and peaceful election in line with the Constitution.
