By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Electoral Commission (EC) has revised its roadmap for the 2026 presidential elections, moving the official start of campaigns from October 4 to September 29, 2025.
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the change was made to avoid a “dead period” between the nomination of candidates and the commencement of campaigns.
“Previously, campaigns were scheduled to start on October 4, which left nearly two weeks of inactivity after candidates had been nominated. We found that holding them down during that period was not practical,” Byabakama said.
He was addressing journalists at the official handed over to the Commission’s construction site in Lweza, Lubowa, Makindye Ssabagabo, Wakiso District on Friday. Presidential nominations will take place on September 23 and 24 at this new EC home.
The venue was officially handed over to the Commission today (September 19) by the National Housing and Construction Company, which expedited works to prepare the 10-acre site for the exercise.
“The choice of this new site is not just for nominations, but to ultimately host the Commission as a permanent institution mandated to safeguard the will of the people through free and fair elections,” Byabakama added.
Eng. Kenneth Kaijuka, CEO of National Housing, said the project was completed in just six weeks following groundbreaking by the Prime Minister in July.
“We are excited that this site, which was once a green field, has been transformed to host such a historic event,” Kaijuka said.
The site includes paved access roads, parking facilities, power installations, ICT infrastructure, and provisions for persons with disabilities. It will later be developed into the Commission’s permanent home and tally centre for the 2026 general elections.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the ceremony, Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala hailed the project as a milestone in Uganda’s democratic journey.
“You have turned a bush into something hospitable. Going forward, this place will host key processes of our democracy,” he said.
Katumba also urged political actors to shun violence during the campaigns, stressing that peace and security must remain a cornerstone of the election.
“We must all preserve the peace and security there is no need to fight each other during these campaigns or the elections. Allow each one of each Ugandan to exercise this right peacefully,” Katumba said. “Please let’s not antagonize each other. Why do you hurt your neighbor simply because the candidate he or she supports is not the candidate you support?”
Meanwhile, the EC announced that parliamentary nominations have been pushed from October 15–16 to October 22–23, 2025. The adjustment was made to avoid a clash with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-Term Review Conference scheduled at Munyonyo.
Byabakama said parliamentary nominations will take place in respective constituencies across the country.
