By BM
The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially set the political ball rolling for the 2026 General Elections, but the nomination of local government candidates has already unleashed a storm of excitement, anxiety, and outright drama.
From district chairpersons to city mayors, councilors, and special interest groups, hopefuls are swarming gazetted centers across the country to secure their place on the ballot.
Yet, while some are celebrating their successful nominations, others are licking their wounds after being unceremoniously disqualified for failing to meet the strict requirements.
The Nomination Rush
The nomination window for local government positions opened on September 3rd and will run until September 24th, 2025.
In carefully segmented phases, the EC has been processing candidates for key local posts, starting with district and city chairpersons, councilors, and Lord Mayors.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC Chairperson, confirmed that this phase concluded on September 5th, while nominations for municipality and city division chairpersons and councilors began on September 8th and will close on September 10th.
The next wave, covering municipal divisions, sub-county, and town chairpersons and councilors, kicks off on September 11th and runs until September 24th.
“The exercise is progressing smoothly, and we congratulate those who have been successfully nominated so far,” Byabakama said.
Winners and Losers
For many aspirants, the first hurdle has been a wake-up call. Some jubilantly walked away with nomination certificates, ready to launch their campaigns. Others, however, were rejected outright, often due to simple but devastating errors.
Byabakama revealed that several aspirants were locked out because of non-compliance with legal requirements.
Some failed to present proof of payment of nomination fees; others submitted incomplete documents, while a few could not secure the required number of endorsing signatures.
“This is not about favoritism,” Byabakama stressed. “The law is clear. If you don’t comply, you don’t qualify.”
Growing Frustrations
Across nomination centers, frustrations have been boiling over. Some disqualified candidates accused returning officers of being “too harsh,” while others alleged that political rivals were influencing the process.
In Gulu City, one aspirant stormed out of the nomination centre after being told his documents lacked the official bank receipt.
Political observers warn that such early setbacks could spark petitions and counter-petitions, clogging up the EC’s complaints desk.
Why It Matters
Local government positions may not carry the glamour of parliamentary or presidential seats, but they are the backbone of service delivery and the first contact between citizens and elected leaders.
With hundreds of posts at stake, the competition is intense, especially in urban areas where political loyalties are sharply divided.
Analysts argue that the current frenzy at local nomination centres is just a preview of the chaos that could erupt when the higher-stakes parliamentary and presidential nominations begin later this month.
The Road Ahead
With the process ongoing until September 24th, the EC is urging aspirants to double-check their paperwork, pay fees on time, and respect the guidelines.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” Byabakama advised. “Those who prepare well will cross the finish line. Those who ignore the rules will fall by the wayside.”
As the nomination drama unfolds, one thing is clear: Uganda’s 2026 elections have officially kicked off, and the battle for power is already leaving casualties in its wake. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
