Presidential Race Heats Up as Uganda’s Aspirants Count Hits 88
The contest for Uganda’s presidency in 2026 is rapidly gaining momentum, with the number of candidates officially rising to 88 following a surge in nominations on the second day of the nomination period.
On the second alone, 37 more aspirants collected their nomination forms, including five women and 32 men, marking a significant increase in the competition for the nation’s highest office.
The Electoral Commission (EC) had earlier opened the nomination process, allowing aspiring presidential candidates to pick up the required forms that include supporter endorsement sheets, candidate information documents, and detailed guidelines outlining the nomination procedure.
To qualify for the ballot, each presidential hopeful must now secure nearly 10,000 signatures from registered voters across the country.
The law requires that these endorsements come from at least two-thirds of Uganda’s 98 districts meaning candidates must gather signatures from eligible voters in at least 65 districts to validate their nomination.
This requirement aims to ensure that presidential aspirants have broad national support rather than being localized figures.
Supporters must be duly registered voters in the districts where they sign, and their endorsements are subject to verification by the EC.
The rising number of aspirants signals a highly competitive race, reflecting the growing interest among Ugandans particularly the youth and women to participate actively in shaping the country’s political future.
The 2026 elections are shaping up to be one of the most contested in Uganda’s history, with a diverse array of candidates from across the political spectrum.
Meanwhile, the EC continues to facilitate nominations for other elective positions, including parliamentary and local government seats, underscoring the broader democratic process underway as the country prepares for elections.
All presidential hopefuls must submit their completed nomination forms by the final deadline of September 23, after which the EC will review and confirm valid candidates eligible to contest.
