UPC releases 2025/2026 roadmap, sets UGX 20m fee for presidential aspirants

28 April 2025, 4:11 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson, Hajji Kazimbiraine Mahmoud, has confirmed that they are ready to manage the process.

“Following the release of the revised National Roadmap for the 2025/2026 general elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the UPC Cabinet met on 24th April 2025 and approved the internal party electoral programme in preparation for the 2025/2026 general elections. In accordance with Article 21(1)(2) of the UPC Constitution 2008, as amended, the Party Electoral Commission hereby releases the approved party roadmap for the 2025/2026 general elections and the guidelines that will be followed in processing the candidates,” he said.

According to the released roadmap, party activities will be carried out on different days.

“Submission of registers to district secretariats will take place on 20th May 2025; the establishment of the membership data bank will be handled in June 2025 and will be continuous; and the development of membership register software is scheduled for July 2025, among other activities. The setting of electoral guidelines for the party presidential elections will take place on 2nd May 2025. The picking and returning of application forms expressing interest in contesting for the party presidency, at the Party Headquarters, will be held from 5th to 20th May 2025,” Mahmoud said.

In the same spirit, the Party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson has stated that all members interested in contesting for the positions of Party President, Member of Parliament, District Chairperson, and City Mayor are advised to collect the application/declaration forms of interest from the UPC headquarters in Kampala. Those seeking to express interest in the positions of Division Mayors, District Councillors, Municipal Councillors, LC III Chairpersons, subcounty Councillors, Parish Councillors, and LC I Chairpersons should collect the forms from their respective party district offices or regional offices.

The Chairperson further stated that the nomination fee for presidential aspirants is Uganda Shillings 20 million. Members of Parliament will be required to pay Uganda Shillings 1 million, while City Mayors and LC IV Chairpersons will each pay Uganda Shillings 500,000. Village Chairpersons will be required to pay Uganda Shillings 5,000, among others.