The 2026 presidential race has taken shape after 35 aspirants officially submitted their lists of supporters to the Electoral Commission (EC), meeting a crucial requirement under the Presidential Elections Act.
The law compels every aspirant to prove national backing by presenting at least 100 registered voters from two-thirds of Uganda’s 146 districts — a total of at least 9,800 supporters from a minimum of 98 districts.
Supporters must be Ugandan citizens aged 18 years and above, appear on the national voters’ roll, and cannot endorse more than one candidate.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi confirmed on Thursday that the Commission has begun the verification exercise. “Our staff are working day and night to go through every name.
We must confirm that the supporters meet all legal requirements,” he said, emphasizing that only those who pass verification will advance to the nomination stage.
Aspirants Who Have Submitted Supporter Lists
| Political Party Aspirants (13) | Independent Aspirants (22) |
| Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni – NRM | Joseph Mabirizi |
| Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) – NUP | Basil Godfrey Busiku |
| Nandala Mafabi James Nathan – FDC | Mubangizi James |
| Mugisha Muntu Gregg – ANT | Magezi David William |
| Akena James Michael Jimmy – UPC | Nkwanga Michael |
| Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga – CMP | Deogratius Akampurira |
| Chemuko Wakubi Fred – IDP | Alvin Mivule |
| Keddi Steven Eric – UPM | Ronald Katushabe |
| Muhammad Nsereko – EPU | John Katumba |
| George William Magera – PPP | Francis Ntezibyaayo |
| Joseph Kabuleeta Kiiza – NEED | Wycliff Kizza Kasajja |
| Frank Bulira – RPP | Charles Bbaale |
| Jamil Sulaiman Ssali – COSEVO | Pauline Nankambwe (only female) |
| Henry Ssebyala | |
| Benjamin Kalyesubula | |
| Abdala Muhamudu | |
| Francis Mawaije | |
| Milton Mutto | |
| Deo Lukyamuzi Kizito | |
| Kasim Male Buule | |
| Henry Byamukama |
Out of the 35, 13 are attached to political parties while 22 are independents. Notably, only one woman, Pauline Nankambwe, has submitted her list.
Mucunguzi said the Commission will complete the verification process before announcing the nomination dates. He warned that any aspirant lacking the required threshold of supporters or districts will be disqualified.
“Those who pass verification will be formally nominated and allowed to campaign across the country,” he noted.
Once verification concludes, Uganda will officially know which aspirants will appear on the ballot, setting the stage for a potentially crowded and competitive 2026 presidential election.
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