EC warns politicians against early campaigns
President Museveni addresses supporters in Rukiga District on February 14, 2025 during his PDM and Emyooga monitoring tour in Kigezi sub-region. His critics have said he's on early campaigns ahead of the 2026 general election. PHOTO/ PPU
What you need to know:
- Mr Idi Menya, a 36-year-old presidential aspirant in the 2026 General Election, is traversing different parts of the country, making consultative meetings on how he can overthrow incumbent Museveni.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has warned all political aspirants against conducting early campaigns as this is currently illegal.
The EC spokesperson, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, revealed that the commission is not recognising any campaigns at the moment because no candidate was nominated for any position.
“At the moment, there is no candidate for any position anywhere. Those campaigns that are ongoing are illegal because it is only the EC that flags off the campaigns,’’ he said in a telephone interview on Monday.
Mr Mucunguzi disclosed that people who wish to lead are free to express their interest in leadership but they must follow the law.
“There are laws that govern elections. They should follow the guidelines of the EC. When the campaigns have been flagged off, then they should be able to act according to the guidelines provided by the EC,’’ he said.
The warning by the electoral body comes at a time when a number of people aspiring for various positions in the 2026 General Election positions have started organising rallies to solicit votes. According to the electoral road map for 2026, campaigns for the various elective positions as guided by law, commence after the commission has duly nominated candidates for respective elective offices.
Section 3 of the Presidential Election Act of 2005, provides for aspirants to consult in preparations for nominations. They should, however, be distinguished from campaigns.
In the Busoga sub-region, some aspirants have started displaying their posters, organising consultative meetings and rallies.
The Buyende District security committee chairperson, Maj (rtd) Betty Otekat Akello, has also warned politicians to restrain their supporters from chaos, hooliganism, and early campaigns, which she said are degenerating into insecurity.
This follows a bitter clash between the supporters of the Budiope East MP aspirant in Buyende District, Mr Daniel Muliire, and incumbent Moses Magogo, which left supporters in both camps injured.
“We are not going to tolerate hooliganism under the guise of political camps mobilisation. I ask politicians to restrain their supporters,” Maj Rtd Akello said last week.
Mr Idi Menya, a 36-year-old presidential aspirant in the 2026 General Election, is traversing different parts of the country, making consultative meetings on how he can overthrow incumbent Museveni.
Mr Menya, born in Wantunda Village, Busedde Sub-county, Jinja District, is also donating boreholes in different districts to enable residents have access to clean water as one of his strategies of good service delivery upon being elected into office.
His vehicle is also covered with posters and other election materials.
In Jinja, Mr Shaban Okumu, who is aspiring for Butembe Constituency, organised a massive rally last week where he donated two ambulances.
He made a drive through within Kakira Town Council with his supporters before he addressed a big gathering at Kakira High School.
Such public meetings, consultations, and rallies before nominations are illegal, according to the EC.
