2026 polls: Nancy Kalembe picks forms for second presidential bid

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Former independent presidential candidate Nancy Kalembe has picked up nomination forms to run again for the country’s highest office in the 2026 general election.

Kalembe, who was the only female candidate for the presidency in the last general election, picked the form from the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala on Friday (August 15).

Her 2021 campaign was plagued by financial problems, performing dismally in the race that had 11 candidates.

Nancy Linda Kalembe addresses journalists after picking nominations forms at the Electoral Commission Head office in Kampala on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)

She now joins a crowded field of 160 aspirants who have so far picked the forms from the EC in the exercise, which will end on September 24, 2025.

The 44-year-old vowed to make education one of her top priorities if elected president next year.

Her 2021-2026 election manifesto was under the theme “leaving no one behind”.

The collection of the forms is being carried out physically at the EC head offices from 8:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays.

Samuel Kiyingi, EC principal Election officer in charge of nomination forms hands over forms to Hillary Musiima at the Electoral Commission Head office in Kampala on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)

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.