By BM
Independent candidates across Uganda are in a state of panic after the Electoral Commission (EC) issued tough reminders on fees, paperwork, and election symbols during the ongoing nomination exercise for the 2026 General Elections.
For many independents, the race has turned into a desperate scramble not just for votes, but for the basic symbols and receipts that guarantee their place on the ballot.
No Money, No Nomination
The EC has ruled out any flexibility when it comes to paying nomination fees.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC Chairperson, made it clear that all aspirants must settle their non-refundable fees before nomination day either in cash or by bank draft and present the official receipts at the gazetted centers.
“Some aspirants want to pay at the nomination venue or centre. Our officers are not supposed to pick or collect nomination fees,” Byabakama said bluntly.
The directive has sent shockwaves through independent aspirants, many of whom operate without the financial muscle of big political parties.
Reports are emerging of hopefuls scrambling to borrow money or rushing between banks and district offices to secure last-minute receipts.
The Symbol Rush
As if the money hurdle wasn’t enough, independents now face another headache: political symbols.
The EC has announced that symbols will be allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Unlike party flag bearers, who automatically run under their party symbols, independents must choose from among 20 approved symbols such as a bicycle, ladder, or key.
The catch? Once a symbol is taken in a given constituency, no other independent can use it for that race.
“It’s survival of the fastest,” one aspirant in Masaka lamented. “If you arrive late, you may be stuck with a symbol you don’t like — or worse, no symbol at all.”
Chaos at Nomination Centers
Across several districts, scenes of confusion have been reported as independent aspirants jostle for their preferred symbols.
In some centers, candidates lined up overnight to ensure they secured their first choice.
In others, heated arguments broke out when rivals accused returning officers of favoritism.
Observers say the scramble has highlighted the vulnerability of independents in a political landscape dominated by well-organized parties.
The Road Ahead
With nominations running until September 24th, the race for fees and symbols will likely intensify.
The EC has urged aspirants to plan ahead, warning that there will be no exceptions.
For independents, the message is clear: pay up, move fast, and secure your political identity or risk being erased before the campaign even begins. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
