Kampala, Uganda: The Electoral Commission (EC) of Uganda has announced January 15, 2026, as the new polling date for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, setting the stage for Uganda’s highly anticipated 2026 General Election.
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama confirmed the new date while addressing a press briefing at the Commission headquarters in Industrial Area, Kampala, on Tuesday. The polling date had initially been set for January 12, but has now been pushed 3 days upfront, according to Byabakama.
“Following the conclusion of the nomination and commencement of campaigns, and in accordance with Article 61(2) of the Constitution, the Electoral Commission has appointed Thursday, 15th January 2026, as the polling day for the Presidential Elections, 2026,” Byabakama said.
He added that nominations for Directly Elected Members of Parliament and District Woman Representatives will take place on October 22 and 23, 2025, at the offices of the District and City Returning Officers.
Justice Byabakama further revealed that the nomination of candidates for Special Interest Groups, including Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Workers, and Youths, will also be conducted on October 22 and 23, 2025, at the EC headquarters on Seventh Street, Industrial Area, Kampala.
He clarified that nomination exercises will run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on each of the designated days.
The EC Chairperson, however, cautioned nominated parliamentary candidates against commencing campaigns immediately, emphasizing that their campaign activities will officially begin on November 10, 2025.
Byabakama also noted that Presidential campaigns, which kicked off on September 29, 2025, are progressing smoothly, with all candidates traversing various districts across the country. All campaigns, according to Byabakama, will all close on January 13, 2026, two days before polling.
Uganda’s 2026 General Election will mark another major test for the EC, which in the 2021 polls oversaw a field of eight presidential candidates, including incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Robert Kyagulanyi (NUP), Mugisha Muntu (ANT), Nathan Nandala Mafabi (FDC), Robert Kasibante (Peasant Party), Mubarak Munyagwa (Common Man’s Party), Frank Kabinga Bulira (Revolutionary People’s Party), and Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative Party).
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