Democratic Front Unveils Ambitious Slate of Candidates Ahead of 2026 Elections

Kampala, Uganda: The Democratic Front (DF), an emerging reformist political party in Uganda, has announced a robust lineup of candidates as it gears up for the highly anticipated 2026 general elections.

The party detailed the nomination of 1,520 candidates across various electoral categories. This includes 168 individuals vying for parliamentary seats, 28 women aspirants contesting for Woman Member of Parliament positions across different districts, and 32 candidates, including two sitting chairpersons, aiming for top local government roles. The party highlighted significant regional participation, with 20 aspirants nominated from the Greater Masaka region and 18 from the Greater Northern region to represent the party in Parliament.

Notably, the DF has nominated two PhD holders and a former ambassador, signaling its intent to bring intellectual and diplomatic expertise into Uganda’s political arena. The party also reported strong local support, with Greater Mpigi (encompassing Gomba, Butambala, and Mpigi) offering contending chairpersons and councilors to bolster its grassroots presence.

The DF’s announcement comes at a critical juncture, with general elections scheduled for January 12, 2026. Under Uganda’s two-round electoral system, candidates must secure at least 50% of the vote to win in the first round, a challenge the DF seems poised to tackle with its diverse and growing candidate pool. The party’s leadership, including prominent figures such as Mathias Mpuuga and Abed Bwanika, has yet to comment further on the nomination process.

As the political landscape heats up, the DF’s bold move to nominate over 1,500 candidates positions it as a contender in the race to challenge the long-standing dominance of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). With the nomination window still open, political analysts are watching closely to see if the DF can translate its ambitious start into a formidable presence in the upcoming polls.