Uganda election 2026: What you need to know DW 01/07/2026

"Uganda's Electoral Commission has cleared 27 political parties to operate and participate in the January 15 presidential and parliamentary elections. Eight presidential candidates, including incumbent Yoweri Museveni and opposition aspirant Bobi Wine, are vying for the presidency in Uganda. President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has been in power since 1986, is running for a seventh term under the ruling National Resistance Movement."

"The Electoral Commission has registered approximately 21.6 million voters for the 2026 election, up from 18.1 million in the 2021 presidential vote. Women constitute approximately 53% of registered voters. Despite an uptick in Uganda's voter registration, turnout on election day has generally declined over the past years from around 70% in 2006 to below 60% in 2021."

"A candidate for president must win 50% + 1 vote to avoid a runoff in the country's two-round voting system. Uganda has 353 constituencies, each represented by a member of parliament elected from that constituency. However, Uganda's parliament has additional seats for elected women representatives, youth representatives, representatives for persons with disabilities, workers' representatives, representatives for older persons and the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces representatives, plus ex-officio members."

The Electoral Commission cleared 27 political parties to operate and participate in the January 15 presidential and parliamentary elections. Eight presidential candidates, including incumbent Yoweri Museveni and opposition aspirant Bobi Wine, are vying for the presidency; Museveni, 81, is running for a seventh term under the National Resistance Movement. About 21.6 million voters are registered for 2026, up from 18.1 million in 2021, with women making up about 53% of registrants, while turnout has fallen from around 70% in 2006 to below 60% in 2021. The presidential two-round system requires 50%+1 to avoid a runoff. Parliament comprises 353 constituencies plus multiple special seats and had 556 members in 2025. Voters are concerned about electoral credibility and whether the election will be free and fair.

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