As political parties wrap up their internal selection processes for the 2026 general elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) and legal experts are warning that some aspirants risk disqualification over unverified academic and eligibility credentials.
“We will subject all candidates to fresh vetting before they can participate in the national elections,” the EC said in a statement.
“Party endorsement alone will not guarantee nomination.”
Recent party primaries have been dogged by allegations of corruption, manipulation, and the endorsement of candidates who do not meet statutory requirements.
In the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), some aspirants are accused of bypassing internal procedures to secure backing.
A group of disgruntled NRM members accused one aspirant of breaching the youth MP age limit, saying: “We have evidence that Naku is above the age of 30.”
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi confirmed receiving such complaints.
“I acknowledge receipt of their complaints,” he said.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi emphasised that national laws, not party rules, will govern the nomination process.
“When EC nominates, we will only consider the national laws guiding each category of elections and not party guidelines,” he said.
The Parliamentary Elections Act, 2001, requires parliamentary aspirants to be Ugandan citizens, registered voters, and holders of at least an Advanced Level certificate or its equivalent.
Youth MPs must also be between 18 and 30 years old and registered in the relevant region.
Legal expert Erias Tumwebaze warned that falsifying documents is a criminal offence.
“It’s an offense under the Parliamentary Elections Act attracting up to three months’ imprisonment in case courts find that you have forged electoral requirements,” he said.
With less than two years to the polls, the EC and legal experts are sending a clear message: compliance with the law, not just party endorsement, will determine who makes it onto the 2026 ballot.
