15 women among over 120 presidential aspirants

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Fifteen women are among the 121 presidential aspirants who have so far picked nomination forms for the 2026 General Election.

Among them is Yvonne Mpambara, a 33-year-old lawyer and activist from Kabale district, who sees herself as a bridge-builder between the older and younger generations in Uganda, and commercial lawyer Faith Namusana.

Yvonne Mpambara (left) receives an envelope containing copies of the presidential nomination forms from the Principal Election Officer at the Electoral Commission, Samuel Kiyingi. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Others are students Voniter Nassanga from Kampala International University, Pauline Nankambwe from Uganda Christian University, as well as Jorine Najjemba, a 20-year-old Senior Six leaver and Victoria Ayeza, aged 22.

According to the Electoral Commission (EC) spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi, the 121 aspirants include five fronted by political parties, while the rest are independents.

Voniter Nassanga a student at Kampala International University receives an envelope containing copies of the presidential nomination forms. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

The five political parties are the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which is again fielding the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), which is putting up its secretary general Nandala Mafabi.

Susan Kwagala registering herself before being given an envelope containing copies of the presidential nomination forms. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Other parties include the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), led by Joseph Kabuleta; the Conservative Party (CP), represented by Willy Mayambala; and the Common Man’s Party (CMP), headed by former Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa.

The exercise of picking forms from the EC headquarters in Kampala from 8:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays will end on September 24, 2025.

Acayo Sandra receives an envelope containing copies of the presidential nomination forms. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Presidential aspirants also pick supporter forms and nomination guidelines for use in collecting signatures of not less than 100 registered voters from at least 98 districts in Uganda.

The law states that a person aspiring for nomination as a presidential candidate must be a citizen of Uganda by birth and a registered voter aged 18 years or above. They must submit certified copies of educational qualifications confirming that they obtained a minimum of A’level education or its equivalent.