The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that only three out of 27 presidential aspirants have fully met the legal requirements to contest in the upcoming elections. Nominations are set for next Tuesday and Wednesday.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi confirmed that the three candidates who have met the requirements are the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and independent candidate Joseph Male Mabirizi.
High-profile aspirants who are yet to complete the requirements include Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Maj Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
By Friday, September 19, a total of 38 aspirants had submitted lists of their supporters, with 27 submissions fully scrutinized. The remaining aspirants are still undergoing verification, according to Mucunguzi.
Under the Presidential Elections Act, each aspirant must present at least 100 registered voters from at least two-thirds of Uganda’s districts, totaling a minimum of 9,800 supporters from 98 districts. Each supporter must provide their name, signature, voter registration number, and physical address to confirm eligibility.
The law forbids any voter from endorsing more than one candidate. Violators face fines of up to Shs 480,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. This rule ensures the process remains fair and legally compliant.
Despite the 38 aspirants who have submitted forms, only three have fully met the legal requirements. Several others, including Bobi Wine, are still struggling to gather enough verified supporters to qualify for the ballot.
Mucunguzi emphasized that the verification process is not a mere formality. “This is a legal requirement that must be fulfilled before anyone can be nominated as a presidential candidate,” he said, highlighting the importance of demonstrating nationwide support.
Historical data shows that the process can be very challenging. In the 2021 elections, over 80 individuals expressed interest in running for president, but only 11 appeared on the ballot after many failed to meet signature requirements or had duplicate entries invalidated.
The EC has reminded all aspirants that nominations will take place officially on September 23 and 24, 2025, at the Commission headquarters in Lweza–Lubowa, Makindye Ssabagabo. Those who fail to meet the supporter requirements will not be allowed to submit their nomination papers. The Commission assured the public of its commitment to transparency and strict adherence to the law as the deadline approaches.
