Uganda’s Parliamentary Election Normination Overview

The EC has designated Wednesday 22 October and Thursday 23 October 2025 as the official nomination days for candidates seeking to contest in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Nominations for the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) — Youth, Workers, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities — are also being carried out at designated EC offices.

The nomination window today opened at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. at district/city headquarters across the country.

📍 What’s happening around the country

Document & Fee Requirements

Aspiring candidates must pay the nomination fee of UGX 3 million and submit supporting documents (proof of payment, passport-sized photos, academic credentials, etc).

They must be nominated by two registered voters, and submit a list of at least ten supporters (registered voters in the constituency) with names, signatures, village, occupation and voter registration numbers.

On-the-Ground Activity

In district nomination centres, candidates and their teams have been arriving early to queue and submit their paperwork.

At the same time, many campaign teams are engaging in preparations: printing posters, social media mobilisation, transport arrangements for supporters. According to a recent write-up in the Daily Monitor, mobilisation ahead of nominations has already begun in several districts.

Boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) associations and other service providers (public address systems, poster printers, social-media agents) are already gearing up for the nomination and subsequent campaign period.

Compliance & Oversight

The EC is urging strict adherence to nomination guidelines and has warned against irregularities including bribery, crowding, over-mobilisation and lack of documentation.

Security agencies are on alert at nomination sites to ensure orderly process, avoiding procession, undue campaigning at the venue, or violations of election laws.

🔍 Key Implications

The two-day nomination period is a major milestone in the 2026 election roadmap. For many constituencies this is the moment when names are officially entered and campaigns can truly begin.

For voters and stakeholders: The nominated list will set the stage for who can campaign, what seats will be contested, and what the competitive landscape looks like.

For the election environment: The early mobilisation – printing, poster work, boda-boda logistics – signals that even before campaigns formally begin, resources and organisation are being put in place. This raises risks (bribery, undue advantage) but also shows how competitive seats are around the country.