The Electoral Commission has officially nominated eight candidates to contest Uganda’s 2026 presidential elections.
Today, five candidates were nominated by Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama.
They include Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), General Gregory Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party (CMP), Bulira Frank of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP), and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, the presidential flag bearer for the National Unity Platform (NUP).
These five join three candidates nominated yesterday: incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Elton Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party, and Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party.
Speaking after his nomination, Robert Kyagulanyi emphasized that giving up is not an option, highlighting the sacrifices of supporters who have suffered, been killed, or remain detained.
He described the 2026 election as an opportunity to channel public anger over ongoing injustices in Uganda.
Alliance for National Transformation candidate Gregory Mugisha Muntu pledged to revive government institutions to serve all Ugandans.
Critiquing President Museveni’s definition of peace, Muntu insisted that true peace can only exist in a country free from injustice.
Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the FDC presidential flag bearer, vowed to revive Uganda’s economy by increasing the purchasing power of citizens and addressing unemployment through investments in productive sectors.
He also pledged to revitalize cooperatives, ensure equal pay for teachers, reduce national debt by broadening the tax base, and intensify efforts against corruption.
Mafabi acknowledged internal challenges within the FDC, attributing some departures to individuals seeking top positions, naming Erias Lukwago and Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda.
By Olivia Nabaggala
24th Sept 2025
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