The Electoral Commission has rejected the nomination forms of presidential aspirant Ivan Sebwato after he failed to meet the minimum requirement of 9,800 endorsement signatures from at least 98 districts across Uganda.
Sebwato, a teacher by profession, made headlines after arriving at the Electoral Commission headquarters on a bicycle, drawing both public curiosity and media attention. However, despite his dramatic entrance, the Commission determined that he had only collected signatures from 50 districts, falling significantly short of the required threshold.
In response, Sebwato expressed disappointment, stating that the Commission should have accepted the documents he had and allowed him additional time to gather the remaining signatures.
“I have done my best. The Commission should have accepted my submission and given me time to complete the rest,” he said.
The official nomination of presidential candidates is scheduled for September 23–24, 2025.
So far, over seven aspirants, including incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, have submitted their nomination forms.
President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is seeking a seventh term in office. His forms were submitted on his behalf by NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and First National Vice Chairman Moses Kigongo.
Bobi Wine, the National Unity Platform (NUP) president, is expected to pose the strongest challenge in what is anticipated to be a heated political rematch.
According to the Electoral Commission, more than 160 presidential aspirants have so far picked up nomination forms. Multiple political parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), have also indicated their intention to field candidates, underscoring the high stakes of the 2026 general elections.
Observers say the likely rematch between Museveni and Bobi Wine will once again dominate national discourse, reigniting debates over leadership, democracy, and the future of Uganda.
In the last presidential election held on January 14, 2021, 11 candidates contested for the presidency. Of the 18,103,603 registered voters, 10,350,819 cast ballots, marking a 57.2% voter turnout.
President Museveni won with 6,042,898 votes (58.38%), while Bobi Wine secured 3,631,437 votes (35.08%), coming in second.
The outcome extended Museveni’s tenure beyond four decades, cementing his status as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
