EC releases official symbols for new political parties, independent candidates ahead of 2026 polls

The Electoral Commission (EC) has unveiled the official symbols for 27 registered political parties and 20 symbols designated for independent candidates, ahead of the 2026 General Elections.

According to EC, the move is intended to ensure clarity and visual recognition on the ballots, particularly for voters who may not be literate but can identify their preferred candidate or party through the assigned symbol.

New political parties have been assigned distinct symbols, while the old ones retained their old symbols. A pen identifies the National Peasants’ Party (NPP), and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) by a lantern. A microphone represents the Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU), the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA) has a giraffe as its symbol. A microphone represents the Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU), a tree for the Democratic Front (DF), while the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) is identified by two hands holding a map of Uganda.

The National Peasants Party (NPP), having the symbol of a Pen, endorsed Robert Kasibante as its presidential candidate ahead of the next general elections, marking a new phase in the party’s preparations for the national polls.

The endorsement was made during an executive council meeting, where NPP President Stecia Mayanja urged members to rally behind Kasibante, citing his long-standing commitment to uplifting ordinary citizens, especially women and youth, through livelihood initiatives including education, skilling of young people at one of the training institutes; Victory School of Beauty and hotel management based at Nateete in Kampala, Media initiatives among others.

Mr. Kasibante pledged to focus his leadership on amplifying grassroots voices and uniting the country.

“Politics should not be about fights or divisions but about guiding the nation toward a better future. The NPP is committed to raising the voices of ordinary citizens in every region of Uganda,” he said.

He extended an invitation to Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko and other political figures to join NPP, saying the party had a clear agenda and was ready to provide “meaningful leadership.”

NPP Secretary General Sharif Sentongo Nambaale urged members to stay focused on the party’s objectives, accusing rival opposition groups of wasting energy on internal disputes instead of addressing the country’s pressing needs.

He also criticized politicians who frequently switch allegiances, calling on “confused” members of the ruling NRM to cross over to NPP.

Mr. Robert Kasibante is being endorsed as NPP's party candidate  

Mr. Kasibante was handed the party’s official symbol, the Pen, which he will carry as he campaigns across the country.

He previously contested for the Busujju County parliamentary seat before officially joining NPP. His endorsement is seen as a key step in positioning the party to compete for national leadership in the forthcoming elections

EC also released the official symbols for the old parties, including: the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which will retain its recognizable yellow bus, while the National Unity Platform (NUP) continues with the umbrella. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is identified with a key, and the Democratic Party (DP) with a hoe. Other symbols include a light bulb for the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), a peace sign for the Conservative Party (CP). 

Additionally, the EC has released a list of 20 symbols available to independent candidates who choose not to affiliate with any political party. These include everyday household or familiar items such as a ball, banana, boat, book, borehole, candle, car, chair, clock, coffee, cup, house, jerrycan, kettle, megaphone, pot, radio, saucepan, table, and television.

According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, the independent candidate symbols will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis during the official nomination period.

“Candidates running as Independents during the 2026 General Elections will choose from the following Electoral Commission-approved symbols. These will be picked by the aspirants on a first-come, first-served basis during nominations,” Mucunguzi said.

The release of these symbols comes as the Electoral Commission continues preparations for the 2026 General Elections, with voter education, party registration, and nomination processes ramping up across the country.