The Electoral Commission has received 193 pallets of presidential ballot papers ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The ballot papers were printed by Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, a Dubai-based firm, and transported by Network Aviation Group. The consignment was officially received by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama.
Speaking at the reception, Justice Byabakama said that more than 21 million ballot papers had been printed slightly exceeding the total number of registered voters. He explained that the surplus accounts for instances where a voter may accidentally spoil a ballot paper before casting it, noting that the law allows such voters to return the damaged ballot and receive a replacement.
The Electoral Commission is also expected to receive ballot papers for parliamentary candidates today.
In what is shaping up to be one of Uganda’s most tightly controlled election cycles in recent history, the Electoral Commission cleared eight candidates to contest in the 2026 presidential election.
The approved candidates include Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine (National Unity Platform – NUP); incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (National Resistance Movement – NRM); Elton Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative Party – CP); and Robert Kasibante (National Peasants Party – NPP).
Others are Nathan Nandala Mafabi (Forum for Democratic Change – FDC), Mugisha Muntu (Alliance for National Transformation – ANT), Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga (Common Man’s Party – CMP), and Bulira Frank Kabinga (Revolutionary People’s Party – RPP).
As the 2026 polls draw closer, the anticipated rematch between President Museveni and Bobi Wine dominating the political landscape, reigniting national debates on leadership, democracy, and the future of Uganda.
In the last presidential election held on January 14, 2021, Ugandans voted to elect a president for a five-year term. Out of 18,103,603 registered voters across 34,684 polling stations, 10,350,819 participated in the election, representing a voter turnout of 57.2 percent.
The 2021 race featured 11 candidates, with Museveni securing 6,042,898 votes (58.38 percent), while Bobi Wine came second with 3,631,437 votes (35.08 percent).
Museveni’s victory extended his leadership beyond four decades, reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
