Clerics from Uganda’s major faiths have urged citizens to maintain peace and carefully consider their choices ahead of the 2026 general elections. Representing over 50 religious leaders, the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) called for calm amid rising political tensions and reports of campaign-related violence and injustice. The clerics emphasized the significance of voters’ decisions and encouraged respect for democratic processes to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral period.

President Yoweri Museveni declared January 15 and 16 public holidays to allow Ugandans to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections, as the Electoral Commission declared at least 16 ruling party candidates unopposed. The holidays apply nationwide to ease travel and voting. The unopposed declarations follow candidate withdrawals and disqualifications during nominations, raising debate about voter choice as Uganda prepares to elect a president and a new Parliament.

The Electoral Commission began issuing copies of the National Voters Register to presidential candidates, starting with representatives from the ruling National Resistance Movement and the opposition National Unity Platform. The commission says it will give copies to other candidates in line with the law as distribution continues. Some opposition figures criticize the timing, while presidential candidate Robert Kasibante accuses the commission of withholding the register from his campaign and threatens to boycott the election.

The Electoral Commission disqualified 12 parliamentary candidates and 11 aspirants from the Makindye Division mayoral race, leaving one candidate unopposed. Most of those affected belong to the opposition National Unity Platform. Some candidates plan to challenge the decisions in court. A senior lawyer says only the High Court can overturn the rulings if candidates prove the commission breached electoral law during nominations.

Disqualified National Unity Platform aspirant Mathias Walukagga endorsed Emmanuel Magoola in the Busiro East parliamentary race and urged supporters to back him. Walukagga says the party’s internal process selected Magoola after his own disqualification over academic requirements. He also accused senior party figure Medard Lubega Sseggona of undermining him. Magoola, running as an independent, faces Sseggona in a contest marked by NUP divisions.