Electoral Commission Adjusts Election Timetable and Qualification Requirements

The Electoral Commission has announced changes to the nomination schedule for the upcoming general elections in 2025/2026, along with updated campaign and polling dates. Additionally, clarification has been provided regarding the qualification requirements for candidates.

By Lubowa Babu Hussein

July 19, 2025 at 2:47 AM

2,390 views

Key Takeaways

The nomination timetable for Presidential candidates for the 2025/2026 general elections has been revised by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Campaigns for Presidential candidates are scheduled to run from 4th October 2025 to 12th January 2026.
Aspirants for the positions of President, Member of Parliament, and District/City Chairperson/Lord Mayor must hold a minimum qualification of Advanced Level (A Level) standard or its equivalent.
Candidates who obtained their qualifications outside Uganda need to have them verified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and obtain a certificate from NCHE.
Aspirants without A Level standard education but claiming equivalent qualifications must obtain a certificate of equivalency from the National Council for Higher Education.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has revised the nomination timetable for Presidential candidates for the 2025/2026 general elections. The initial nomination dates set for 2nd and 3rd October 2025 have been rescheduled to 23rd and 24th September 2025, as confirmed by Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the chairperson of the commission.

The nomination process for local government candidates, including Special Interest Groups (SIGs), will take place between 3rd and 12th September 2025. Candidates for Parliamentary Elections will be nominated on 16th and 17th September 2025. Moreover, the nomination of candidates for SIGs Representatives to Local Governments is scheduled for 8th to 12th December 2025.

Campaigns for Presidential candidates are set to run from 4th October 2025 to 12th January 2026, while Parliamentary campaigns will take place between 23rd September 2025 and 12th January 2026. Local government campaigns, including SIGs candidates, are scheduled from 13th September 2025 to 12th January 2026.

The polling period for Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Councils, including SIGs Representatives, is slated to occur between 12th January and 9th February 2026. The adjustments in the timetable were made to allow for crucial post-nomination processes before the commencement of campaigns, such as the production of ballot paper samples and the harmonization of campaign programs.

Concerning qualification requirements, aspirants for the positions of President, Member of Parliament, and District/City Chairperson/Lord Mayor must hold a minimum qualification of Advanced Level (A Level) standard or its equivalent. Candidates who obtained their qualifications outside Uganda are required to have them verified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) and obtain a certificate from NCHE.

Aspirants without A Level standard education but claiming equivalent qualifications must obtain a certificate of equivalency from the National Council for Higher Education. Those with the NCHE certificate of equivalency are required to submit it to the Electoral Commission Headquarters or the District Election Administrator (DEA) at least two months before nominations.