2026 elections: Over 20 pick presidential nomination forms
The collection of the forms started on Monday (August 11) and will end on September 24, 2025, according to the EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama.
Some of the aspiring presidential candidates wait to pick the nomination forms at the Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on August 11, 2025. (Photos by Ronnie Kijjambu)
By Umar Kashaka
Journalists @New Vision
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Over 20 presidential aspirants have so far picked nomination forms for the 2026 General Election, including former independent presidential candidates Joseph Mabirizi and John Katumba, as well as three university students.
The university students, all aged 24, are: Alvin Mivule (Victoria University), Wycliffe Wasajja (Kampala International University) and Pollin Nankambwe (Uganda Christian University). Other aspirants are commercial lawyer Faith Namusana, teacher Robert Mutono and Gerald Malinga, also a youth.
An aspiring presidential candidate Ntezibyayo Francis smile after receive an envelope contains nomination forms during pick of forms for presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on 11 Aug 2025.
The potential aspirants also picked supporter forms and nomination guidelines from the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala, on August 11, 2025, which they will use to collect signatures of not less than one hundred (100) registered voters from at least two-thirds (98) of all the districts in Uganda.
The collection of the forms started on Monday (August 11) and will end on September 24, 2025, according to the EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama.
An aspiring presidential candidate Basaija Charles (left) receive an envelope contains nomination forms from the Principal Election Officer, Samuel Kiyingi (right) during pick of forms for presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on 11 Aug 2025. 
I will eliminate ministers and RDCs
Mabirizi, who is now holding the presidential flag for the Conservative Party (CP), was accompanied by the party president and former MP, Ken Lukyamuzi.
An aspiring presidential candidate, Mabirizi Alton Joseph (left) arrive to Electoral Commission officers in Kampala to pick nomination forms accompanied by Kenn Lukyamizi of Conservative during pick of forms for presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on 11 Aug 2025.
He promised to introduce a federal system of government if elected in 2026 by empowering the regions and doing away with all the ministers, MPs and the Resident District Commissioners.
Free housing for married couples
Katumba, on the other hand, promised “liberation” and free housing for married couples.
“This time round, it is a liberation vote because I think you all see the poverty,” he said.
An aspiring presidential candidate and retired teacher from Tororo, Muton Robert celebrate after picked the nomination forms during pick of forms for presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on 11 Aug 2025. 
Katumba contested in the 2021 general election while Mabirizi in 2016, but both performed dismally.
Our time
Namusana told the media after picking the forms that she looks forward to developing the country.
“It is our time to rise, shine and plan for the next 50-500 years. I know our Excellency [President Yoweri Museveni] has already done much, but we, the young people, are taking up the responsibility to rise to glory,” she said.
An aspiring presidential candidate, Baguma Allan Mugisha carrying an envelope contains nomination forms during pick of forms for presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on 11 Aug 2025.
Mutono promised to deliver similar services across the regions while Malinga vowed to fight poverty.
“I am serious about leading this country, and I am rising on [a political] [conviction because I saw young men and women crying of poverty,” Malinga, who once hawked sponges to raise tuition at Makerere University, said.
An aspiring presidential candidate from Masaka,Nteredde Charles after receive an envelope contains nomination forms during pick of forms for presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on 11 Aug 2025. 
Byabakama told the media in Kampala last week that the collection of the forms and guidelines will be done physically at the EC head offices, located on Plot 1-3 and 5, 7th Street Industrial Area, Kampala, from 8:00 am until 5:00pm on each weekday.
He noted that the physical collection is to allow the EC to identify and document presidential aspirants, and notify relevant authorities across the country to expect them in the field and offer them support, as may be necessary.
“An individual intending to collect nomination forms and supporter forms on behalf of a political party/organisation must present written proof of authorisation. This authorisation must be issued by the secretary general of the political party/organisation or a designated official,” he said.
The nomination dates for presidential candidates are September 23-24 this year.
MPs, local leaders picking forms
The nomination forms and guidelines for parliamentary and local government elections will be accessed for downloading from the EC website: www.ec.or.ug Electoral Commission.
To organise and conduct regular free and fair elections and referenda professionally, impartially, and efficiently, www.ec.or.ug starting today (August 11).
Aspiring presidential candidate, Malinga Gerald speak to journalists during pick of forms for presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on 11 Aug 2025. 
The MPs’ nominations will now take place on October 15 and October 16, 2025, at the office of the respective district/city returning officer.
Candidates for district/city (chairpersons, lord mayor and councillors) will be nominated between September 8 to September 10, 2025, at the office of the respective district/city returning officer.
An aspiring presidential candidate Aken Robert explains after receive an envelope contains nomination forms during pick of forms for presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on 11 Aug 2025.
Nomination of candidates for all levels of local government, including special interest groups (youths, persons with disabilities and older persons) had initially been scheduled to commence on September 3, 2025 and end on September 12, 2025.