EC Clears Kyagulanyi for Presidential Nomination After Signature Fuss

The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially cleared National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, for presidential nomination, following a tense verification of supporter signatures that tested the party’s organisational muscle and political resolve.

In a formal communication to NUP, the EC confirmed that Kyagulanyi will be nominated on Wednesday, September 24, at the Commission’s headquarters in Lweza. The greenlight comes just days after an earlier warning from EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, who on September 19 flagged glaring gaps in the party’s initial submission of signatures.

Byabakama’s letter noted that out of 130 districts where NUP sought endorsements, only 80 met the statutory threshold of at least 100 verified signatures per district. “In effect, you have not complied with the requirement under Section 10 (1) (b) and (3) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 177,” the Chairperson cautioned, raising fears within NUP ranks that their flag bearer could be locked out of the race.

But the opposition party quickly rallied. By Sunday, September 21, NUP had filed additional signatures, prompting a fresh round of meticulous cross-checks.

“We put them under strict scrutiny,” explained EC Deputy Spokesperson Paul Bukenya. “We must confirm that each signatory is a registered voter in the stated district and has not supported any other presidential aspirant. One person can only back a single candidate, and duplicates are automatically invalidated.”

According to Bukenya, it’s common for overzealous supporters to sign for multiple aspirants, an infraction that can derail submissions. “The first entry is ticked, and the subsequent entries are blocked as invalid. When that happens, the concerned party is immediately notified,” he said, adding that many aspiring candidates are yet to overcome this hurdle.

With the clearance, Kyagulanyi becomes the fourth presidential hopeful officially approved for nomination. Others on the list include incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi, and the National Peasants Party’s standard-bearer.

The nomination window for presidential contenders opens Tuesday, September 23, and closes the following day.

With the EC’s stamp of approval now secured, the NUP leader enters the next phase of Uganda’s high-stakes electoral battle, poised to challenge the entrenched power of the NRM in what promises to be a fiercely contested race.