Kyagulanyi’s supporters waves his poster
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Electoral Commission (EC) has raised questions over the validity of some of the supporters’ signatures submitted by the National Unity Platform (NUP) for the presidential nomination of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine.
Nomination day set for Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and NUP is supposed to submit the disputed signatures from 18 districts by then.
A report issued by the Commission on Thursday, September 19, 2025, shows that NUP has so far secured verification in 80 districts, leaving 18 districts short of the legal threshold. The Presidential Elections Act requires every aspirant to present endorsement signatures from at least 98 districts or cities, with not less than 100 registered voters from each of those areas.
Among the districts flagged as incomplete are Alebtong, Amuru, Bukwo, Dokolo, Gulu City, Gomba, Iganga, Kakumiro, Kamwenge, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Ntungamo, Pader, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rwampara, Shema, Sironko, Soroti, Terego, Yumbe, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kitagwenda, Koboko, Lira, Mbarara, Omoro, and Pallisa.
Reacting to the development, Bobi Wine accused the EC of deliberately frustrating his nomination bid.
“The Electoral Commission is falsely claiming we lack enough signatures, even when we submitted more than required in each district. Meanwhile, Museveni is said to have submitted more than enough without any challenge. This exposes the bias,” Bobi Wine said in a statement.
He further alleged that government security operatives were intimidating his supporters.
“GISOs, DISOs, and RDCs have been harassing the very people who endorsed me, forcing them to disown their signatures. The EC then strikes them off the list. This is unacceptable,” he added.
With nomination day set for Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Bobi Wine has urged NUP supporters from the affected districts to turn up at the party headquarters in Makerere-Kavule and resubmit their signatures.
The endorsement requirement was introduced to ensure that only candidates with broad-based national appeal contest for the presidency. However, opposition groups have often argued that the process is manipulated to disadvantage challengers to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
As the clock ticks towards the nomination deadline, it remains uncertain whether NUP will be able to resolve the gaps and secure approval in time.
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