More than 78 individuals have so far picked presidential nomination forms ahead of the 2026 general elections, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) calls upon security agencies and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to ensure a supportive environment for signature collection.
The process of picking nomination forms officially began on August 11, 2025, and will run for an entire month, giving aspirants ample time to prepare for the next phase of the electoral process.
Speaking to journalists at the IEC headquarters, Commission spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi explained that requiring all presidential hopefuls to collect their nomination forms in person is a measure intended to help identify and facilitate them during the nationwide exercise of gathering endorsement signatures.
“The Commission has officially permitted all individuals who have picked nomination forms to traverse the country freely in order to collect signatures. They should not be harassed or obstructed,” said Muchunguzi.
He also urged Ugandans not to be alarmed by the large number of aspirants many of whom are young people highlighting that, according to the 2024 National Population Census, the youth constitute the majority of Uganda’s population.
Among the notable aspirants is 20-year-old Voniter Nassanga, a student at Kampala International University, who pledged to advocate for the rights of single mothers and to address challenges in the country’s health and education sectors.
The IEC reiterated its commitment to a transparent and inclusive electoral process and encouraged all stakeholders to respect the rights of aspirants during the signature collection period.
By Olivia Nabaggala
12th Aug 2025
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