The D-day is here . more than 2,700 candidates nominated by the Electoral Commission (EC) last month to contest 519 parliamentary seats are today starting their campaigns today across the country.
The electoral contest includes 353 constituency seats, 146 District Woman seats, and 20 seats for Special Interest Groups (youth, persons with disabilities, workers, and older persons). Of the 2,711 candidates nominated for the 12th Parliament, 2,703 will campaign, after eight were cleared to join the race unopposed.
Those who sailed through include Mr Ofwono Opondo (Eastern Region, Elderly), Ms Anita Among (Bukedea District), Mr Thomas Tayebwa (Ruhinda North), Ms Lillian Paparu Obiale (Arua District), Ms Ruth Rujoki Mushabe (Kiruhura District), Mr Moses Magogo (Budiope East), Ms Jeniva Arinaitwe (Rubirizi District), and Mr Emmanuel Banya (Koboko County), all representing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Apart from parliamentary candidates , local council candidates are also kicking off their campaigns today . The campaign period for parliamentary and local government candidates begins a month after the presidential campaigns and will close on January 13, 2026, just two days before the January 15 polling date.
EC warning
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi urged candidates, their agents, and supporters to maintain peace, describing it as a key ingredient for national development.
“Candidates must adhere to the guidelines issued during nominations. Observe peace and ensure everyone plays their role in conducting orderly campaigns,” he said. Mr Mucunguzi also cautioned against election malpractice, voter bribery, abusive language, and spreading misinformation on social media. “Conduct yourselves peacefully, follow electoral laws, avoid bribery, vulgar language, and malicious content that divides communities,” he emphasised.
Contestants and parties
A total of 18 political parties have fielded 1,428 candidates, while 1,283 independents will compete for 519 seats, comprising 353 constituency representatives, 146 District Woman MPs, and 20 for Special Interest Groups, including five each for youth, persons with disabilities, workers, and older persons. These elected MPs will join the 556-member 12th Parliament, alongside 10 representatives from the UPDF and other ex officio members. In the current 11th Parliament, the NRM holds a majority with 337 MPs, followed by Independents (87), National Unity Platform (NUP) 57, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) 31, Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) 11, Democratic Party (DP) 9, and one seat each for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Justice Forum (Jeema).
For the upcoming election, NRM has 514 candidates, NUP 297, FDC 214, and DP 94, while the remaining candidates are distributed among smaller parties.
Ahead of the campaigns, EC officials met candidates and their agents from October 24 to 27 to harmonise campaign venues and schedules across the country. Political parties have also guided their candidates on adhering to electoral laws and maintaining peaceful campaigns throughout the 60-day campaign period.
Unopposed MPs
- Ofwono Opondo: Eastern (Elderly).
- Anita Among: Bukedea Woman.
- Thomas Tayebwa: Ruhinda North.
- Lillian Paparu Obiale: Arua Woman MP.
- Ruth Rujoki Mushabe: Kiruhura Woman.
- Moses Magogo: Budiope East.
- Jeniva Arinaitwe: Rubirizi Woman.
- Emmanuel Banya: Koboko County.