By For the first time in decades, Uganda’s presidential race will feature no woman contender, with the Electoral Commission (EC) confirming that only seven male candidates have been successfully nominated to challenge President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the 2026 general election.
The announcement marks a break from recent history, where women had steadily appeared on the presidential ballot, symbolizing a gradual push for gender equality in Uganda’s political landscape.
While the EC did not release the full list immediately, officials confirmed that no female aspirant completed the requirements for nomination, leaving the contest exclusively male-dominated.
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Uganda has witnessed several women daring to step into the country’s highest political contest, often against overwhelming odds.
Dr. Miria Matembe — A lawyer, activist, and former Ethics and Integrity Minister, Matembe is widely known for her outspokenness on governance and women’s rights. Though she never made it onto the final ballot, she once expressed intent to challenge Museveni, inspiring debate about women’s participation at the top level.
Miria Obote — The widow of former President Milton Obote, she became the first woman to contest the presidency in 2006 on the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) ticket after the death of her husband. Though she secured less than 1% of the vote, her candidacy marked a milestone for women in politics.
Betty Olive Kamya — Founder of the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), Kamya contested in 2011, becoming the first woman since Obote to appear on the ballot. She finished fourth with 0.6% of the vote but set a precedent as a woman running on her own party ticket. Kamya later joined government, serving as Minister for Kampala and Inspector General of Government.
Nancy Kalembe — A businesswoman and the only female candidate in the 2021 presidential election, Kalembe ran as an independent, branding herself as a symbol of hope and change. Though she finished last in the field of 11 candidates, her campaign was praised for its resilience and boldness.
With nominations now closed, the 2026 election will see President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, face seven male opponents in a contest expected to be dominated by familiar names in Uganda’s political arena.
