The final day of presidential nominations at the Electoral Commission’s new headquarters in Lubowa is set to feature three of Uganda’s opposition heavyweights joining the 2025 presidential race.
National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) president Mugisha Muntu, and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secretary general Nathan Nandala Mafabi are all scheduled for official nomination today.
The process, which began on Tuesday, September 23rd, saw President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) nominated for another term, alongside Robert Kasibante of the Uganda Peasants Party and Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party.
According to the Electoral Commission, Bobi Wine will appear for his nomination at 2:00 PM, after which he plans to address supporters at a rally in Nateete — a venue approved by police following the cancellation of his earlier booking in Katwe. Nandala Mafabi is expected to meet his supporters at Kampala Road Playground in Butabika shortly after his nomination.
Other aspiring candidates had not yet been cleared by press time.
To qualify, presidential hopefuls must meet constitutional and legal requirements, including Ugandan citizenship by birth, being at least 18 years old, registered voter status, certified A’Level (or equivalent) academic credentials, and payment of a UGX 20 million nomination fee. They must also present nomination forms, passport photos, voter endorsements from at least 100 people in not fewer than 98 districts, a campaign symbol, and an appointed campaign agent.
Upon successful nomination, candidates are issued official campaign vehicles, assigned police escorts, and permitted to briefly address supporters before leaving the venue. Access to the nomination grounds remains highly restricted, with each aspirant allowed only 20 accredited delegates and a maximum of two official vehicles with 10 occupants each.
