With the 2026 general elections scheduled for January, Uganda’s political landscape is in a state of high tension and activity. Following the culmination of the nomination exercise in late September, the Electoral Commission (EC) officially cleared eight candidates to contest for the highest office, setting the stage for a three-month campaign period defined by familiar faces and new entrants.1
As the country passes the halfway mark of the official campaign trail, the focus remains on the incumbent’s bid for a record seventh term against a diverse field of challengers, most notably the pop star-turned-politician who leads the main opposition.2
The Eight Contesting for the Presidency
The final list of candidates, representing a mix of experienced politicians, former military leaders, and grassroots activists, shows the breadth of the current political field.
| # | Candidate Name | Political Party (Acronym) | Key Background/Platform Focus |
| 1 | Yoweri Museveni | National Resistance Movement (NRM) | Incumbent President (since 1986). Platform focused on stability, economic growth, and national security. |
| 2 | Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) | National Unity Platform (NUP) | Musician and former MP. Leading opposition figure focused on democratic reform and youth empowerment. |
| 3 | Rtd. Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu | Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) | Former Army Commander, focusing on institutional reform, discipline, and building a strong, professional state. |
| 4 | Nathan James Nandala Mafabi | Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) | Economist and former Leader of Opposition, known for advocacy in cooperatives and accountability. |
| 5 | Elton Joseph Mabirizi | Conservative Party (CP) | Engineer and Pentecostal preacher, running for the second time, emphasizing moral and societal restoration. |
| 6 | Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga | Common Man’s Party (CMP) | Former Member of Parliament and Mayor, focusing on the welfare and empowerment of the common person. |
| 7 | Frank Bulira Kabinga | Revolutionary Peoples Party (RPP) | A lesser-known entrant promoting radical systemic change and grassroots politics. |
| 8 | Robert Kasibante | National Peasants Party (NPP) | Representing a platform centered on agrarian policies and prioritizing the needs of rural populations and farmers. |
