By Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) member Moses Byamugisha, who has declared his intention to contest in the 2026 presidential elections, has become the first aspirant to return nomination forms to the Electoral Commission (EC).
Byamugisha, who picked the forms six months ago, announced on Wednesday that he had collected the 10,000 signatures required from at least 100 districts across the country to support his bid for the presidency.
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“So, I think now Ugandans should be told the real numbers,” Byamugisha said while addressing the media at the EC headquarters in Kampala. “Here are the signatures. The Electoral Commission requires us to gather 100 signatures from over 100 districts, making it a total of 10,000 signatures. I have fulfilled that requirement.”
However, the EC rejected the signatures, advising the aspirant to resubmit them two weeks before the official nomination dates. Officials explained that while early submission is encouraged, the law only permits formal consideration of signatures within the stipulated nomination timeframe.
Byamugisha clarified that he is running as an independent candidate, distancing himself from speculation linking him to key political figures and parties. “I know quite a number of Ugandans associate me with various organisations, but for purposes of this election, I am running independently,” he said.
The youthful politician, who has previously contested for the presidency, framed his early submission as proof of his readiness and commitment. “I picked the forms like any other candidate, and today I have returned them,” he noted.
Byamugisha’s move places him ahead of other presidential hopefuls, many of whom are still in the process of mobilising signatures and resources ahead of the 2026 general elections.
