2026 polls: Two more parties submit supporters’ signatures, bringing total to 22
The EC confirmed that Muhammad Nsereko will lead EP’s first presidential bid, while PPP submitted signatures endorsing its president, George William Magera, for the 2026 general elections.
The Electoral Commission officials receive files from the team leader of People's Progressive Party, Timothy Ochwo (right) during the sub mission of signatures by the presidential candidates at Electoral Commission Offices Kampala on 16 Septeember, 2025. (Photos by Ronnie Kijjambu)
By Paul Kiwuuwa
Journalists @New Vision
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The Ecological Party of Uganda (EP) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, submitted their supporters’ signatures to the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters on Seventh Street, Industrial Area, Kampala.
This brings the number of presidential aspirants who have submitted signatures to 22, including political parties and independents, pending final verification before the presidential nominations scheduled for Tuesday, 23 and Wednesday, 24 September 2025, according to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi.
The EC confirmed that Muhammad Nsereko will lead EP’s first presidential bid, while PPP submitted signatures endorsing its president, George William Magera, for the 2026 general elections.
Out of the 220 individuals who collected nomination forms last month, 11 represent political parties, while another 11 are independents, Mucunguzi said.
James Mugarura, an EC electoral official, handled the clearance of supporters’ lists and signatures.
By press time, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), led by Ambassador Edith Ssempala, Angelline Osegge, and Alice Alaso, was undergoing a preliminary examination of its signatures by EC officials pending clearance.
On Monday, ANT attempted to submit its lists but was turned away after failing to meet the requirement of 98 districts.
Independents awaiting clearance included Prince Dycon Bagoole, Benjamin Kalyesubula, a music promoter, and Henry Ssebyala.
The Electoral Commission officer, James Magarura (left) receive files contains the signatures submitted by a team from Alliance for National Transformation party lead by Alice Alaso (right) during the submission of signatures by the presidential candidates at Electoral Commission offices Kampala on 17 September, 2025.
Mucunguzi said the commission is carefully verifying each submission to ensure that every supporter is a registered voter, a citizen, and has not endorsed more than one aspirant.
He noted that some submissions contained errors, including deliberately wrong National Identification Numbers (NINs).
“The main issues the EC wants is that supporters must be a registered voter, and a citizen, has not offered their support to more than one presidential aspirant,” he warned.
“Our terms are ensuring that each particular signature is checked and verified, including the full names, telephone numbers, voter’s location number, and the National Identification Number NIN.
“One of the issues observed is that some people give wrong NINs to aspirants, either intending to mislead them, which is why the EC wants to make sure that every detail of your nomination forms is accurately done and verified before submission,” explained Mucunguzi.
He added that those who submitted their lists early may be wondering when to expect feedback.
“The commission is aware that there is a need to respond to them or give them certificates of compliance. The commission is in advanced stages of verification; it will communicate to them in time, and even those with less signatures will be communicated to,” Mucunguzi said.
Last Friday, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) delivered 2.2 million signatures endorsing President Yoweri Museveni as its 2026 flag bearer. The lists were submitted by NRM secretary general Richard Todwong, alongside senior party officials, including Rose Namayanja Nsereko, Dr Tanga Odoi, and Amb. Barbara Nekesa.
Other parties that have submitted include the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) backing Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) endorsing Robert Kyagulanyi, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) led by Jimmy Akena, the Common Man’s Party (CMP) under Mubarak Munyangwa, the Uganda People’s Movement (UPM) led by Eric Steven Keddi, the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) of Fred Wakuri, the Conservative Party (CP) of Joseph Mabirizi, and Joseph Kabuleta’s National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED).
Independent aspirants include Dr Henry Byabakama Katabazi, pastor of Faith Life Ministries, John Katumba, Kasim Male Buule, Godfrey Basil Busiku, Michael Nkwanga, James Mubangizi, David Williams Magezi, Dr Deo Kizito Lukyamuzi, Ronald Katushabe, Deogratius Akampurira, Alvin Mivule, and Francis Ntezibyayo.
Katumba, contesting for the second time, gained attention during the 2021 elections when, at 24, he became Uganda’s youngest-ever presidential candidate. He secured 37,554 votes (0.36 percent) but lost to Museveni.
Person with hearing impairment picks nomination forms
With six days remaining before presidential nominations, a person with hearing impairment (PWHI) on Tuesday picked nomination forms from the EC headquarters.
Speaking through his sign language interpreter, 35-year-old Sharif Ssemeere said he was exercising his right to contest for the presidency, noting that he met all requirements.
Ssemeere attributed his late entry to being away in the United States of America.
“Collecting the required 9,800 signatures from at least 100 districts of Uganda because I have got strong human networks, besides, I have enough resources to mobilise and raise the required signatures,” he said.
“When nominated for the presidency I want to realise my vision to establish equal distribution of resources countywide, improve the social services, including the road networks, health care systems, and set up industries to create job opportunities,” Ssemeere said.