Judul : Uganda revises poll nomination dates as NRM recovers from bloody primaries
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Uganda revises poll nomination dates as NRM recovers from bloody primaries
Uganda’s electoral commission has revised the roadmap to the general election, announcing an earlier date for the nomination of presidential candidates, even as the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) reels from violent primaries. At a press briefing on Friday, the commission's chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, revealed that presidential nominations would now take place on September 23 and 24, bringing the dates forward from the originally scheduled October 2 and 3.
Justice Byabakama said the adjustment was necessary to allow time for critical post-nomination activities, such as the processing of nomination forms, producing sample ballot papers, harmonising campaign schedules and signing of memoranda of understanding by the candidates.“Maintaining the earlier dates would have significantly reduced the period available for campaigns,” said Byabakama.
The presidential campaign season will kick off in early October, leading up to polling day on January 12, 2026.
The commission also reminded aspirants of the requirement to collect at least 100 signatures from registered voters in no fewer than 97 of Uganda’s 146 districts, as per Section 10(b) of the Presidential Elections Act.
The timeline was announced just a day after the NRM held its parliamentary primaries to select candidates for next year’s general elections, a process widely criticised for violence, voter suppression and heavy-handed security interventions.
Held in 519 constituencies across the country, the NRM polls were characterised by low voter turnout, bloody confrontations, allegations of vote rigging and intimidation. According to police, at least 90 people were arrested.
Clashes between rival factions allegedly linked to senior figures in the ruling party led to chaos in Kamuli District in eastern Uganda, Rukungiri in the west, and Lwemiyaga County in the central region, all considered strongholds of NRM.
In Lwemiyaga, mobile phone networks were disrupted for hours, making communication nearly impossible.
According to police, the widespread use of bouncers and privately hired militias by candidates played a central role in fuelling election-related violence. These paramilitary-style groups, some of which have previously been associated with both the ruling party and opposition parties, have become a notorious feature of Ugandan politics.
While opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (also known as Bobi Wine) has been criticised for allegedly recruiting private security units, figures in the ruling party have also been accused of tolerating or coordinating similar groups, including the Kalangala Action Plan, an outfit of military veterans who campaigned openly for President Yoweri Museveni.
Read: Museveni vs Kyagulanyi: Clash of the generations as Uganda rivals lock horns againSecurity forces were deployed extensively across the country in an attempt to control election-related unrest. In northern Gulu, soldiers and police secured the Green Valley Polling Station in Bardege-Layibi after unregistered individuals attempted to force their way into voting lines.
A similar scenario played out in Koboko District, in the northwest, where tensions at the Nyarilo Polling Station nearly turned violent following disputes over the declared results.
Despite the heavy security presence, voter turnout remained low, a trend that has continued across multiple election cycles. In some areas, participation dropped below 40 percent, underlining what analysts say is a deepening disillusionment with Uganda’s electoral process.
In North Bukedi, the regional police spokesperson Wilfred Kyempasa reported that election day was relatively calm compared to the tense campaign period that had preceded it.“We deployed both foot and motorised patrols to suspected hotspots. The situation was under control,” he said.
With Uganda preparing for a high-stakes general election in January 2026, the Electoral Commission is now tasked with ensuring that the post-primary environment allows for peaceful, transparent and inclusive participation from all political players and the general electorate. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).Demikianlah Artikel Uganda revises poll nomination dates as NRM recovers from bloody primaries
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