Kampala |Uganda’s road to the 2026 General Elections has entered a critical phase, with the Electoral Commission (EC) formally initiating the scrutiny of supporter lists submitted by prospective presidential contenders. This process, anchored in the Presidential Elections Act, 2005, constitutes one of the most decisive stages in determining who eventually qualifies for nomination.

According to the Commission’s spokesperson, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, by 19th September 2025, 27 of the 38 aspirants who returned supporter lists had already received official communication on the status of their submissions. Of these, only two aspirants have thus far satisfied the threshold of valid supporter numbers, while the remainder are still navigating various stages of compliance.

The verification exercise, as Mr. Mucunguzi clarified, remains ongoing, with the Commission meticulously cross-checking entries against the national voters’ register. Aspirants whose lists are still under review will be notified progressively as the process advances.

The law stipulates that each presidential candidate must present a list of registered voters endorsing their candidacy, attached to their nomination papers. This requirement is enshrined under Section 10 of the Presidential Elections Act, and is intended not merely as a technical formality, but as a safeguard ensuring that presidential ambitions are undergirded by demonstrable nationwide support.

Observers note that the exercise will significantly shape the political atmosphere in the weeks ahead, as the notification outcomes determine which aspirants can proceed seamlessly to nomination and which may face disqualification or remedial submissions.

With the 2026 elections fast approaching, the Commission’s meticulous verification underscores its central role as the custodian of electoral integrity, balancing both transparency and adherence to the law in Uganda’s evolving democratic landscape.