The 2021 former presidential candidate, John Katumba, was not nominated for the 2026 general elections after he failed to present the required signatures from at least 98 districts.
Records from the Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) show that Katumba, known as Katumba oyee, brought signatures from 110 districts, but after the verification process, the results showed that he only had 97 districts, and the bare minimum was 100 registered votes needed from each.
“Only 97 districts had the required number (100 voters), and the balance of one district is required to meet the minimum number of 98 districts fell short as per the attached details of the verification results,” the letter addressed to Katumba dated Sept 22, reads in part.
In the detailed report from Kaabong District it showed that the presidential aspirant had 94 valid signatures, and he was only left with six signatures.
According to Katumba he urges that he brought 180 additional signatures from the Kaabong district.
At just 24, Katumba was the youngest presidential candidate in the 2021 elections.
Yesterday, 24th September 2025, the Uganda Electoral Commission concluded the two-day presidential nomination exercise at its offices located on the Lweza–Lubowa grounds in Wakiso District.
And at the end of the two-day exercise, eight candidates were nominated, all representing their political parties.
The nominated 2026 presidential candidates include President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (NRM), Kasibante Robert (NPP), Mabirizi Joseph (CP), Nandala Mafabi James Nathan (FDC), Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera (ANT), Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu (NUP), Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga (CMP), and Bulira Frank Kabinga (RPP).
The campaigns are set to kick off on September 29, 2025, after the Commission finalises the harmonised campaign schedules.
