The contest for Uganda’s presidency in the 2026 General Election officially picked up momentum as several presidential aspirants converged at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala to collect nomination forms.
The Electoral Commission (EC) last week, on Monday, kicked off the issuance of nomination forms to any Ugandan registered voters who intend to compete for presidency in 2026.
By last evening Monday 20th August 2025, the number of aspirants had reached 188, according to Julius Mucunguzi, the EC spokesperson
Among the spirants include Gerald Malinga, a former Makerere University student known for selling sponges to pay his tuition fees,Kampala central MP Mohammad Nsereko, Richard Tumwesigye, 24, who aims to become one of Uganda’s youngest presidential contender, Faith Namusana, 42, a lawyer and resident of Ngora District Elton Joseph Mabirizi, the Conservative Party’s flag bearer and a 2016 presidential candidate among others .
The Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko, yesterday, joined the growing list of Ugandans seeking to end President Museveni’s nearly 40-year rule. Nsereko, who took over the leadership of the Ecological Party of Uganda in June, told reporters that his focus will be on rebuilding the entire country.
In a related turn of events, a faction of the UPC led by Dennis Edin Enap also picked up presidential nomination forms under the party’s name.
Enap cited a court ruling that affirms him as the party president, stating that Jimmy Akena, who also picked up forms last week, is ineligible to run for a third term, having already served two terms in line with the UPC constitution.
Faith Namusana,While collecting her nomination forms, Namusana pledged to decentralize services at both the Ministry and District levels, empower cultural kingdoms with independent budgets, and boost tax collection efficiency nationwide.
Gerald Malinga, says his lived experience of financial hardship has fueled his ambition to lead Uganda towards economic empowerment.
