The candidates, parties and key issues in Uganda’s upcoming polls
Uganda’s Electoral Commission has completed presidential nominations ahead of the country’s next general election, setting the stage for a tightly watched contest shaped by economic pressures, corruption concerns and long-running debates over governance.
The candidates
A total of seven candidates were nominated during the two-day exercise held on 23rd and 24th September 2025 at the Electoral Commission grounds in Lweza-Lubowa, Wakiso District. The process was overseen by Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, who also serves as the returning officer for presidential nominations.
Among those nominated is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, standing on the ticket of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Now in power for nearly four decades, Museveni first took office in 1986 after leading a guerrilla war that promised to restore democracy following years of instability.
Once hailed as part of a new generation of African leaders, his long rule has increasingly been criticised over alleged human rights abuses, restrictions on political space and the harassment of opposition figures. He won the 2021 election with 58% of the vote, a poll marred by allegations of rigging and a heavy security crackdown.
The opposition field is led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, the candidate of the National Unity Platform (NUP). A former pop star turned politician, Bobi Wine, is widely viewed as Museveni’s strongest challenger. He came second in the last election with 35% of the vote and helped turn NUP into the largest opposition party in Parliament. Dubbed the “ghetto president,” he commands strong support among young, urban and working-class voters but has continued to face arrests, surveillance and restrictions on his activities.
Other candidates include James Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Gregory Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Kasibante Robert (NPP), Joseph Mabirizi (CP), Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga (CMP) and Frank Kabinga Bulira (RPP).
The official campaign period is set to begin on 29th September 2025, after the harmonisation of candidates’ campaign schedules.
The key issues
While Uganda’s per-capita income has slowly recovered since the pandemic, job creation has lagged behind rapid population growth, leaving millions of young people unemployed or underemployed. Rising public debt estimated at over 50% of GDP and growing debt-servicing costs have raised concerns about fiscal sustainability, alongside persistently high food and fuel prices.
Corruption is another central voter concern. Uganda ranks 140th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. High-profile scandals involving members of Parliament and senior officials have contributed to public frustration.
Afrobarometer surveys show corruption has risen sharply on the list of issues citizens want addressed, yet many Ugandans say they fear retaliation if they report wrongdoing. In February 2025, an Afrobarometer report noted that Corruption ranked as the fifth-most important issue that citizens want their government to address, up from 12th place in 2005.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission says the outcome of the presidential vote should be known by 4:00 pm local time (1:00 pm GMT) on Saturday, 17 January
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
