By Ritah Atukwatse
KAMPALA
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has expressed concerns over a recent directive by the Chairperson of the Uganda Electoral Commission, Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, requiring all presidential, MP, and LC5 aspirants to verify their academic documents with the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) by July 3, 2025.
FDC officials argue that the directive is not backed by law, citing the Parliamentary Elections Act (2005 as amended), which only requires verification of qualifications obtained outside Uganda. “The law is specific. It does not demand all aspirants to verify qualifications with NCHE if they studied in Uganda,” said FDC EC Chairperson, Hon. Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda.
Toterebuka has demanded tasked EC Boss Byabakama cite the law supporting his instructions, accusing him of creating unnecessary hurdles.
Meanwhile, the party’s EC has announced a total of 12,809 nominated candidates for various positions across country including 220 Members of Parliament, 42 LC5 Chairpersons, 25 Municipality Mayors, 601 LC5 Councillors, 828 Municipality Councillors, 480 LC3 Chairpersons, 33 LC3 Councillors, and 10,580 LC1 Chairpersons.
FDC is set to hold its Delegates’ Conference on July 31, 2025, where the party will elect its flag bearer for the 2026-2031 presidential elections
