The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and the National Unity Platform (NUP) are facing setbacks in their bid to field presidential candidates after the Electoral Commission (EC) ruled that both parties have not yet fulfilled key nomination requirements.
In a statement issued on Friday, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi notified ANT President Mugisha Muntu and NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi that they had not complied with Section 10 (1) (b) and (3) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 177, which requires candidates to submit verified supporter signatures from at least two-thirds of Uganda’s districts.
According to the EC, out of 98 districts submitted by ANT, only 48 met the threshold, while 50 districts fell short. Similarly, the NUP submission was found lacking in 18 districts. The Commission reminded both parties that the nomination exercise closes on September 24, 2025.
ANT expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the communication, saying it was unfair for the EC to notify them only three days to the deadline.
“We have this morning officially received communication regarding the list of supporters for our presidential candidate, Mugisha Muntu. While we acknowledge that verification is part of the process, this late notification undermines fairness,” the party said in a statement, calling on supporters to stand firm until nomination is secured.
NUP leader Kyagulanyi accused the EC of acting in bad faith and attempting to frustrate his candidacy.
“We just received this letter past 6:00pm today. If we had not exposed the scheme earlier, they would probably have informed us on Monday, a few hours before nomination,” Kyagulanyi said, alleging that the Commission was deliberately withholding details of the rejected signatures.
“They know we submitted more than enough signatures but are just trying to block us. These are signs that the regime is scared of the #ProtestVote2026. We shall submit more signatures and see what excuse they bring next.”
The EC has not yet responded to the accusations, but stressed in its communication that verification is a legal requirement and all candidates must comply before nomination deadlines.
