Presidential aspirants submitting supporters’ lists for verification hits 20

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The number of presidential aspirants who have submitted their supporters’ signatures to the Electoral Commission (EC) head office on Seventh Street, Industrial Area, Kampala, for verification ahead of the 2026 general election has risen to 20.

EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi revealed on Monday, September 15, 2025, that the commission had so far received lists from 20 aspirants out of the 220 who picked nomination forms in August to contest for the presidency.

The National Peasant Party members followed by the Secretary General of National Peasant Party, Sharif Ssentongo (second left) arrive with files containing signatures during the submission of signatures for nomination at the Electoral Commission office in Kampala on 15 September 2025. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Mucunguzi explained that of the 20, nine represent political parties while 11 are independents.

“The main issues the EC wants are that supporters must be registered voters, citizens, and have not offered their support to more than one presidential aspirant,” he warned.

He stressed that every signature is verified in detail, including the supporter’s full name, telephone number, voter location number, and National Identification Number (NIN).

“One of the issues observed is that some people give wrong NINs to aspirants, either intending to mislead them; that is why the EC wants to make sure that every detail of your nomination forms is accurately done and verified before submission,” explained Mucunguzi.

Mucunguzi added that those who submitted early may be anxious about feedback, but the commission is in advanced stages of verification. “The commission is aware that there is a need to respond to them or give them certificates of compliance,” he said, noting that communication would be made in time, including to those with insufficient signatures.

Among political parties that submitted lists is the National Peasants Party (NPP), led by secretary general Sharif Nambale Sentongo and spokesperson Thomas Bagonza, who presented supporters’ lists from 120 districts endorsing their party president, Robert Kasibante.

The independents include John Katumba, who is contesting for the second time, Alvin Mivule, a law student at Victoria University and Francis Ntezibyayo.

Presidential aspirant Katumba John holds his files containing signatures as he waits to be attended to during the submission of signatures for nomination at the Electoral Commission office in Kampala on 15 September 2025. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Katumba gained both local and global attention in 2021 when he contested against President Yoweri Museveni at the age of 24, becoming Uganda’s youngest-ever presidential candidate. He garnered 37,554 votes (0.36 per cent) in that election.

The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), represented by Ambassador Edith Ssempala, the party’s international diplomacy coordinator, and Angelline Osegge, chairperson of the Women's League, submitted lists from 88 districts. However, the EC declined to receive them, saying they contravened requirements.

James Mugarura, from the EC’s Election Management Department, said: “Aspiring candidates shall submit lists for at least 98 Districts for which they have collected a minimum of one hundred signatures. Districts with less than 100 signatures shall not be accepted.”

He emphasised that all aspiring presidential candidates, whether from political parties or independents, must comply with EC administrative requirements and the law.

Presidential aspirant David William Magezi talks to journalists during the submission of signatures for nomination at the Electoral Commission office in Kampala on 15 September 2025. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

The EC also initially declined to accept Katumba’s signatures when he arrived at 11:00pm, directing him to provide a formal letter clarifying the number of signatures submitted and the districts covered.

“I brought the cover letter by 1:00pm, however, the EC officials had gone for Lunch. When the EC officials go for lunch, they should assign others to handle the Presidential aspirants,” Katumba complained.

He also demanded to meet EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, but was informed he was in a meeting. Katumba’s signatures were eventually received at 4:00 pm after preliminary verification.

A presidential aspirant from Victoria University, Alvin Mivule Alvin (left) consulting Vuni Ronald during the submission of signatures for nomination at the Electoral Commission office in Kampala on 15 September 2025. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Last Friday, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) submitted 2.2 million signatures endorsing President Yoweri Museveni as the party’s flagbearer in the 2026 election. The list was delivered by NRM secretary general Richard Todwong, accompanied by deputy secretary general Rose Namayanja Nsereko, NRM electoral commission chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi, and national treasurer Ambassador Barbara Nekesa, among others. They were received by Jonathan Kimanje, an election officer in the EC’s Election Management Department.

Other submissions include the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), which delivered over one million signatures endorsing its presidential flagbearer, Nathan Nandala Mafabi. The team was led by the party’s electoral commission chairperson, Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda, deputy secretary general Gloria Paga, and FDC vice chairperson for western Uganda, Robert Centenary Franco.

Other parties include the National Unity Platform (NUP) led by Robert Kyagulanyi, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) of Jimmy Akena, the Common Man’s Party (CM) led by Mubarak Munyangwa, the Uganda People’s Movement (UPM) of Eric Steven Keddi, the Revolutionary People’s Party of Fred Wakuri, and the Conservative Party (CP) of Joseph Mabirizi. The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party, led by Joseph Kiiza Kabuleta, has also submitted.

Independent aspirants include Dr Henry Byabakama Katabazi, founding pastor of Faith Life Ministries in Uganda; Kasim Male Buule; Godfrey Basil Busiku; Michael Nkwanga; James Mubangizi; David Williams Magezi; Dr Deo Kizito Lukyamuzi; Ronald Katushabe; and Deogratius Akampurira, a teacher.