Time To Decide! EC Publishes Political Party Symbols & Nomination Dates As 2026 Polls Draw Closer

By Frank Kamuntu

As Uganda gears up for the 2026 general elections, the Electoral Commission has released a list of political parties that will participate in the polls — along with their symbols that will help guide voters on polling day.

Some of the registered parties include the Activist Party, Alliance for National Transformation, Congress Service Volunteers Organisation, Conservative Party, Democratic Front, Democratic Party, Ecological Party of Uganda, Forum for Democratic Change, Forum for Integrity in Leadership, Justice Forum (JEEMA), Liberal Democratic Transparency, National Convention for Democracy, National Peasants’ Party, and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Others on the list are the National Unity Platform (NUP), People’s Development Party, People’s Front for Freedom, People’s Progressive Party, National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), Revolutionary People’s Party, Republican Women and Youth Party, Social Democratic Party, Society for Peace and Development, The Common Man’s Party, Uganda Federal Alliance, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and Uganda Patriotic Movement.

While not all parties are expected to field presidential candidates, many will present aspirants for parliamentary and local government positions across the country.

The Electoral Commission also reminded stakeholders of key dates on the electoral roadmap:

• Nomination of Parliamentary Candidates: September 16–17, 2025 (under Section 26 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177).
• Nomination of Presidential Candidates: September 23–24, 2025 (under Section 8(1) of the Presidential Elections Act).
• Nomination of SIG Representatives to Local Governments: December 8–12, 2025.
• Presidential Campaigns: October 4, 2025 – January 12, 2026 (under Section 22(1) of the Presidential Elections Act).
• Parliamentary Campaigns: September 23, 2025 – January 12, 2026 (under Section 38 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177).
• Local Government Campaigns (including SIGs): September 13, 2025 – January 12, 2026.
• Polling Period for Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections (including SIG Representatives): January 12 – February 9, 2026, as provided under Article 61(2) of the Constitution.

The Commission urged parties and candidates to adhere to the roadmap and conduct campaigns peacefully, emphasizing that symbols and candidate information will be widely disseminated to ensure voter clarity and participation.

See Symbols Below