By Frank Kamuntu
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced fresh nomination dates in seven electoral areas following the death of candidates who had already been cleared to contest in the 2026 General Elections.
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Mugyenyi Byabakama said the Commission will reopen nominations on November 27 and November 28, 2025, in line with Section 26 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which mandates fresh nominations when a candidate dies before polling.
Justice Byabakama said the decision was necessary to ensure that voters in the affected areas retain their right to choose from a complete list of candidates on polling day.
Seven Vacant Positions Identified
The seven deceased candidates whose positions are being reopened for nomination are:
- Tumwikirize Kaakuba Pagiel, Independent—Sub-county Chairperson, Manyogaseka Sub-county (Kassanda)
- Kubal Patrick, Male Older Persons Representative—Loyoro Sub-county (Kaabong)
- Wooti Julius Paul, NRM—Directly Elected Councillor, Buwakhata/Bukibokolo Sub-county (Bududa)
- Akello Joan, NRM—District Woman Councillor, Ayabi Town Council (Kwania)
- Sembuzi Gerald, NRM—Directly Elected Councillor, Kisailizi/Lwampanga Sub-county (Nakasongola)
- Nagudi Beth, NRM—Woman Councillor, Bukiise Sub-county (Sironko)
- Mwebaze Racheal, NRM—Woman Councillor, Asinget/Kayoro Sub-county (Tororo)
Justice Byabakama clarified that only these positions will be reopened, and all other candidates in the affected areas will not be required to undergo a second nomination process.
The EC chairperson noted that the Commission had successfully concluded the main nomination exercise, clearing 83,597 candidates for 45,505 elective positions ranging from President to Sub-county Councillor.
He emphasized that the Commission had made significant progress in implementing the 2025/2026 electoral roadmap.
Key Milestones Achieved
According to the EC, major milestones completed include:
- Demarcation of electoral areas and reorganisation of polling stations
- General update of the National Voters Register
- Compilation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) registers
- SIG elections from village to national level
- Nominations for all presidential, parliamentary, and local government positions
As of November 13, 2025, Uganda has 21,681,491 registered voters, of whom:
- 10,334,362 (47%) are male
- 11,347,129 (53%) are female
The country’s electoral structure comprises:
- 146 districts
- 312 counties
- 353 constituencies
- 2,191 sub-counties
- 10,717 parishes
- 71,214 villages
- 50,739 polling stations
Justice Byabakama urged all voters to turn up in large numbers during the elections and announced that the EC will soon begin issuing Voter Location Slips (VLS) to help citizens easily locate their polling stations.
Full Polling Schedule Released
The Electoral Commission also released the complete polling timetable:
- Jan 15, 2026 – President & Members of Parliament
- Jan 19, 2026 – PWD Representatives’ National Conference; SIG Councillors (Sub-county/Town/Municipal Divisions)
- Jan 20, 2026 – SIG Elections at Municipality/City Division level
- Jan 21, 2026 – National Workers’ Representatives’ Conference
- Jan 22, 2026 – District/City Local Government Elections
- Jan 27, 2026 – Municipality/City Division Chairpersons & Councillors
- Jan 28, 2026 – Youth, Female Older Persons & UPDF Representatives’ National Conferences
- Jan 29, 2026 – SIG Elections at District/City level
- Feb 2, 2026 – Regional Older Persons Representatives’ Conferences
- Feb 4, 2026 – Sub-county/Town/Municipal Division Chairpersons & Councillors
- Feb 6, 2026 – Regional Youth Representatives’ Conferences
300 Petitions Resolved
Justice Byabakama also revealed that the Commission handled about 300 nomination-related petitions and complaints at presidential, parliamentary, and local government levels each reviewed and resolved according to the law.
He called on all stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, civil society, observers and the public, to take note of the polling dates and prepare accordingly.
“The Commission remains committed to delivering a credible, free and fair electoral process in 2026,” he said.
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