Agency
The Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, has issued a stern warning to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) accused of blocking political candidates from accessing designated campaign venues and appearing on radio talk shows.
Byabakama made the remarks on Monday while addressing journalists at the EC headquarters in Kampala’s Industrial Area after a meeting with presidential candidate agents and the Uganda Police Force to assess the campaign process, which started a month ago.
He described the conduct of some RDCs as “very wrong” and contrary to Uganda’s constitutional and electoral framework.
The 2026 presidential campaigns began on September 29, following the nomination of seven candidates to contest against the incumbent, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The other contestants are Rtd Gen. Mugisha Muntu (Alliance for National Transformation), Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu (National Unity Platform), Frank Bulira (Revolutionary People’s Party), Robert Kasibante (National Peasants’ Party), Nathan Nandala Mafabi (Forum for Democratic Change), Mubarak Munyagwa (Common Man’s Party), and Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative Party). Byabakama’s warning follows complaints from opposition candidates who allege that RDCs and other officials have been denying them access to approved campaign venues or canceling events at the last minute.
