The Electoral Commission (EC) has convened a pivotal meeting with representatives of all eight cleared presidential candidates to coordinate campaign schedules for the forthcoming 2026 general elections.
This gathering, held amidst heightened political anticipation, aims to ensure orderly campaigning and mitigate risks of clashes between rival supporters.
Chaired by the acting EC secretary, Richard Kamugisha, the session featured agents from various parties, including Robert Centenary of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Rovans Lwanyaga from the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) was represented by Moses Byaruhanga. Police officials were also present, providing guidance on security protocols to safeguard campaign events across the nation.
Discussions centred on allocating specific dates and locations for rallies and other activities, a strategic measure to prevent overlaps that could escalate into conflicts. Sources indicate that this coordination is particularly crucial given Uganda’s history of electoral tensions.
In the 2021 elections, for instance, opposition campaigns faced significant disruptions, including arrests and internet shutdowns, amid allegations of state interference. With elections scheduled for 12 January 2026, such planning is seen as essential to fostering a fair and peaceful environment.
This meeting follows the EC’s confirmation of the candidates on 24 September, after a rigorous two-day nomination exercise on 23 and 24 September at the EC grounds in Lweza-Lubowa.
Out of over 220 individuals who collected nomination forms, only 38 returned them for verification, and ultimately just eight were approved. EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi highlighted the need for accountability regarding unused forms, which burden public resources.
Mucunguzi stated that the commission is now prioritising ballot paper design and printing, alongside voter education initiatives. Campaigning officially commences on 29 September.
Notably, no women or independents made the cut, halting a trend seen in recent cycles where figures like Nancy Linda Kalembe (2021) and Maureen Kyalya (2016) participated, though symbolically. Analysts attribute this to structural barriers, including high nomination fees and patriarchal norms, perpetuating male dominance in presidential contests since Miria Obote’s groundbreaking run in 2006.
President Museveni’s longevity nearly four decades in office has been marked by economic growth and infrastructure gains, but critics decry authoritarian tendencies, including suppression of dissent and constitutional amendments removing term and age limits.
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