2026 polls: NUP panics over Kyagulanyi signatures

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As the dates for presidential nominations draw closer, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party has expressed concern over delayed feedback from the Electoral Commission (EC) on the forms endorsing its candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi's candidature.

On Friday (September 19), the party secretary general, David Lewis Rubongoya, claimed that the package submitted exceeded the required signatures. He, however, alleged that they had reports that some people at EC, whom he did not identify, had claimed that the signatures as delivered are insufficient.

“The law requires only 100 signatures from each of the 98 districts. NUP submitted over 100 signatures from over 130 districts, but they (EC officials) said they are going to give us a comprehensive report to be able to fill the remaining signatures,” he told the media in Kampala.

“They have just told us that they were going to telephone our people who signed to confirm whether they signed for us or not. We are waiting for information, but we submitted way beyond the required signatures,” he said.

A few hours after Rubongoya cried out, Kyagulanyi took to X, formerly Twitter, and accused the EC of being partisan.

“In the most partisan manner, the Electoral Commission is indicating that we haven’t submitted enough signatures for my nomination as President from the districts listed below. This, after submitting more than enough signatures per district.

The same Commission is indicating that Museveni submitted more than enough signatures,” he posted.

The 43-year-old musician came second after President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement party in the last general election.

President Museveni is among over 30 aspirants who have so far returned nominations and supporter forms to the EC, out of 213.

Just like Rubongoya, Kyagulanyi also alleged that the Resident District Commissioners, District Internal Security Officers and the Gombolola International Security Officers have been reaching out to all those who signed for them, intimidating and threatening them.

He listed the districts and cities with insufficient signatures as Alebtong, Amuru, Bukwo, Bushenyi, Dokolo, Gulu City, Gomba, Iganga, Kakumiro, Kamwenge, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Ntungamo, Pader, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rwampara, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Soroti City, Terego, Yumbe and Arua.

Others are Agago, Amolatar, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kitagwenda, Koboko, Kumi, Lamwo, Lira, Mbarara, Omoro and Pallisa.

He, therefore, called upon any registered voter whose national identity card indicates that they are a voter in the affected areas to come to their party headquarters at Makerere-Kavule, Kampala, on September 20, 2025, between 8:00 am and 11:00 am and give them that signature.

“Our nomination is on Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025,” Kyagulanyi stated on X.

When contacted to respond to the claims, the EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi on Friday evening said he had not seen any formal correspondence with NUP on the matter. “To that effect, I can’t comment,” he said.

The presidential nomination dates are set for September 23-24, 2025, and campaigns are scheduled to start five days afterwards.

The law requires them to collect signatures of not less than 100 registered voters from at least 98 districts in Uganda and pay a sh20m nomination fee in the bank.

The law also states that a person aspiring for nomination as a presidential candidate must be a citizen of Uganda by birth and a registered voter aged 18 years or above.

They must submit certified copies of educational qualifications confirming that they obtained a minimum of an A-level education or its equivalent.