2026 polls: EC starts candidates' academic qualification verification

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has commenced the verification of academic qualifications for individuals intending to contest in Uganda’s 2026 general elections.

The announcement was made by EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, who reminded aspirants that Uganda’s electoral laws require candidates for certain elective positions to hold, at minimum, an Advanced Level (A' Level) certificate or its equivalent.

“The EC wishes to draw the attention of all those who wish to stand for election as President, Member of Parliament, District/City Chairpersons, or Lord Mayor, that they are required by law to have a minimum qualification of Advanced Level standard or its equivalent,” Byabakama says in a statement issued on July 16, 2025.

He notes that individuals who attained their qualifications from institutions outside Uganda must have their academic credentials verified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), after which NCHE issues a certificate confirming equivalence.

Without A'level certificate

Justice Byabakama clarified that individuals who do not hold formal A' Level qualifications—either from within or outside Uganda—but possess alternative qualifications they claim to be equivalent must also apply for a Certificate of Equivalency from NCHE.

“Aspirants who have obtained the certificate of equivalency from NCHE are required to establish the requisite academic qualifications by submitting the NCHE certificate to the EC headquarters or the District Election Administrator (DEA) in the district where they wish to contest, at least two months before the nomination dates,” he said.

He further clarified that any certificate of equivalency issued in a previous election cycle is not valid for the 2025/2026 elections. However, a new certificate is not required if the aspirant has since attained a higher qualification within Uganda, such as a degree.

Who Does Not Need Verification

Byabakama said the following categories of aspirants are not required to verify their qualifications with NCHE:

Those with A' Level certificates obtained in Uganda

Those with higher qualifications (e.g. diplomas or degrees) obtained in Uganda

Those with qualifications higher than A' Level obtained from the former University of East Africa or its constituent colleges

He also noted that individuals in these categories do not need to present their academic qualifications to the Electoral Commission within the designated pre-nomination verification period.

Nomination and Election Timeline

Byabakama announced that nominations for presidential and parliamentary candidates will take place between September 17 and October 3, 2025.

Campaigns are scheduled to begin in the second week of October, leading up to polling day on January 12, 2026, for both presidential and parliamentary elections.

In the last general election held in 2021, a total of 11 presidential candidates were nominated. President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, emerged the winner with 58.64% of the vote.

His closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, secured 34.83% of the vote. Kyagulanyi, a former musician turned politician, is expected to be a key figure in the upcoming electoral race if he chooses to run again.

With just under six months to polling day, the EC has urged all aspiring candidates to begin the academic verification process early to avoid last-minute disqualification due to incomplete documentation.