The Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama addressing the media 21st October,2025.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
By Naome Namusoke & Ronald Kabuubi | KMA Updates
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced January 15, 2026, as the date for Uganda’s next presidential election, marking the formal start of what is expected to be one of the country’s most competitive political seasons in recent history.
The announcement was made by Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC Chairperson, during a press briefing at the Commission’s headquarters in Industrial Area, Kampala.
“The Presidential Polling date shall be 15th January 2026. All campaigns will stop 48 hours prior to the Polling date,” said Justice Byabakama, urging Ugandans to participate peacefully and responsibly in the exercise of their democratic rights.
Byabakama also revealed that the electoral roadmap is well underway, with nominations concluded and campaigns having kicked off in October 2025. The parliamentary and local government elections are scheduled to follow in the weeks leading into early February 2026.
The Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama addressing the media 21st October,2025.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The EC’s confirmation quickly gained traction across social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), where the hashtag #UgandaVotes2026 began trending as citizens, analysts, and political figures weighed in on the coming vote.
Currently, eight presidential candidates are in the race seven challengers seeking to unseat President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
The candidates include:
- Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – National Resistance Movement (NRM)
- Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) – National Unity Platform (NUP)
- James Nathan Nandala Mafabi – Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
- Mugisha Muntu – Alliance for National Transformation (ANT)
- Joseph Mabirizi – Conservative Party (CP)
- – Common Man’s Party (CMP)
- Frank Kabinga Bulira – Reform Party of Uganda (RPP)
- Robert Kasibante – National People’s Party (NPP)
The upcoming election will test the strength of Uganda’s multi-party democracy, introduced in 2005, and comes at a time when the country’s youthful population with over 75% under the age of 35 is increasingly vocal about governance, unemployment, and economic reform.
Uganda’s last presidential election was held in January 2021, where President Museveni was declared winner with 58.6% of the vote, followed by Bobi Wine at 34.8%, amid widespread debate over transparency and fairness.
With the 2026 elections now officially on the calendar, attention is turning to how candidates will navigate a changing political and digital landscape as Uganda prepares for another landmark decision at the ballot box.