The Electoral Commission (EC) of Uganda today engaged Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited to Uganda in a high-level briefing aimed at updating the international community on the country’s preparedness for the 2025/2026 General Elections.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Kampala, was chaired by the EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, who provided a detailed overview of progress made so far under the national electoral roadmap and outlined the next key steps leading to polling early next year.
“The Commission has registered significant milestones in the implementation of the Roadmap, and this engagement with the diplomatic community is part of our continued effort to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation,” Justice Byabakama told the envoys.
Among the milestones highlighted were the successful completion of constituency boundary harmonization, voter register updates, and stakeholder consultations across the country.
The Chairperson also announced a critical adjustment in the nomination calendar for the presidential race.
Revised Nomination Dates
Justice Byabakama confirmed that the nomination of presidential candidates, originally set for 2nd and 3rd October 2025, has been moved forward to 23rd and 24th September 2025.
The adjustment is intended to create ample time for post-nomination campaign activities and logistical preparations.
Other key dates shared include:
- Nomination of Local Government and Special Interest Group (SIG) Candidates: 3rd – 12th September 2025
- Parliamentary Elections Nomination: 16th – 17th September 2025
- Nominations for SIG Representatives to Local Governments: 8th – 12th December 2025
Justice Byabakama encouraged all political actors, civil society groups, and international observers to engage with the process constructively and in accordance with the law.
Rising Political Temperature and Security Protocols
While the Electoral Commission focused on operational updates, broader election-related developments continued to draw attention in political and media circles.
Notably, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, issued a strongly worded statement over the weekend declaring that only the Special Forces Command (SFC) would be allowed to guard presidential candidates in the upcoming elections.
“I have said it once and for all, ALL Presidential Candidates will be guarded ONLY by SFC! Any personal arrangements that do not concur with our standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be smashed immediately,” he stated.
The declaration has drawn mixed reactions among political observers, with some raising concerns over potential constraints on candidate autonomy and equal access to campaign logistics and security.
The Electoral Commission has yet to formally respond to the statement.
Diplomatic Engagement as a Confidence-Building Measure
Today’s meeting was widely seen as an effort to reinforce confidence in Uganda’s electoral management and to reassure international partners of the Commission’s impartiality and preparedness.
Several ambassadors reportedly welcomed the EC’s transparency and urged timely communication of any further adjustments to the roadmap.
Others raised questions about inclusivity, campaign freedoms, and the role of security agencies in the electoral process.
With the countdown to nomination and campaign season already underway, today’s briefing marks a critical juncture in Uganda’s diplomatic and political calendar, offering a snapshot of the balance between transparency, state control, and growing public scrutiny.
