Uganda’s Electoral Commission has confirmed that the country’s next general election will be held on 18 February 2026, setting the stage for a highly charged political contest as President Yoweri Museveni prepares to extend his nearly four decades in power. The announcement ends months of speculation and formally launches the electoral calendar across the East African nation.
Election timetable unveiled
In a statement issued late Tuesday, Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the decision followed consultations with political parties, security agencies and civil society groups. Nomination of presidential and parliamentary candidates will take place in November 2025, followed by an official campaign period running through early February 2026.
The Commission also confirmed that biometric voter verification will be used nationwide, with new technology designed to reduce fraud and duplicate registration. “We are committed to delivering a transparent, credible and peaceful electoral process,” Byabakama told reporters in Kampala.
Museveni expected to run again
President Museveni, 81, who first took office in 1986, has not yet formally declared his candidacy but is widely expected to seek another term as the flagbearer of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). His government recently increased funding for rural development programmes and public sector wages — measures analysts view as part of early campaign positioning.
The opposition, meanwhile, faces internal divisions but is expected to field strong contenders. Bobi Wine, the popular musician-turned-politician who challenged Museveni in 2021, has hinted at another run, pledging a campaign focused on youth empowerment, corruption and democratic reform.
Rising political tensions
The run-up to the announcement has seen heightened security presence in Kampala and several regional capitals. Opposition groups have accused authorities of restricting rallies and intimidating activists, while the government insists that all measures are intended to preserve public order.
Human rights observers have urged the Commission to ensure fair access to media and campaign venues for all candidates. “Uganda’s future stability depends on an election that is free, open and credible,” said a representative from the African Union’s Democracy and Governance Division.
Economic and regional stakes
The election comes at a critical moment for Uganda’s economy, which has been recovering steadily after years of pandemic disruption and inflationary pressure. Major oil projects in the west of the country, due to come online in 2026, could shape the political and fiscal landscape for the next administration.
With East Africa increasingly viewed as a zone of both opportunity and volatility, Uganda’s poll will be closely watched across the region for signs of democratic resilience and continuity.
Newshub Editorial in Africa – 22 October 2025
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