By Aggrey Baba
The public has been updated on the ongoing nomination of candidates for the 2026 Local Government Council elections, by the Electoral Commission (EC), in a briefing, led by EC Chairman Dr. Simon Byabakama, held today, at the Commission’s headquarters in Kampala.
Byabakama confirmed that the nomination process for municipality and city division chairpersons, councilors, and special interest groups (SIGs) is ongoing and will continue until the 10th of this month, following the first phase, which ran from the 3rd of September to the 5th. It covered nominations for district and city chairpersons, Lord Mayors, and councilors, including SIG representatives.
The EC emphasized that all aspirants must follow the established nomination rules, amongst which, aspirants are required to pay a non-refundable fee to their relevant local government, present valid identification, and ensure they have complied with all other requirements. Byabakama highlighted that symbols for independent candidates are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and no symbols are reserved ahead of time.
Any complaints or issues, according to the Commission, should be submitted in writing directly to the EC, rather than through media platforms [just like it has been ever since the nominations begun, with mostly the opposition complaining of double standards, accusing the commission of favoring aspirants from the ruling NRM in different ways]. This according to Byabakama, ensures that concerns are handled according to the law and prevents misinformation from spreading.
The EC also reminded aspirants that convoys are limited to two vehicles, each carrying not more than 10 people, and all vehicles must bear police stickers, to avoid congestion and maintain order during the nomination process.
To support candidates and the public, the EC has set up a Help Desk at its Kampala headquarters, providing guidance on nomination requirements, verification of supporters on the National Voters’ Register, and other election-related queries.
All participants have been urged to respect the rules and maintain peace throughout the exercise, as the EC emphasized that compliance with the guidelines would ensure a smooth process and prevent unnecessary disputes. They also reiterated that the nomination exercise is a critical step in the electoral roadmap leading to the general elections, and proper conduct now sets the stage for a fair campaign period later.
