Ugandan activist and social justice advocate Yvonne Mpambara has officially declared her intention to run for President in the 2026 general elections, pledging a bold movement for “national renewal, healing, and justice.”
On her official Twitter (X) handle, in a message addressed to Ugandans at home and in the diaspora, Mpambara described her candidacy as “a bold step towards national renewal and healing, justice, and prosperity for all.”
Mpambara said Uganda’s leadership must “shift hands” and that power must return to the people—whether through elections or through people-led political pressure and social movements.
“Our leadership must represent all women and youth, persons with disabilities, veterans, feminists, farmers, boda boda riders, our creatives, sex workers, gig workers, medics, and all workers living hand to mouth and paycheck to paycheck,” she stated.
In a striking appeal, Mpambara said her campaign would center “those of us tortured for speaking truth to power, those who cannot walk into a bank and get a loan, those whose candidacy will not use Shs 7.5 billion of taxpayers’ money to hold loud, empty rallies or bribe voters with soap.”
She added that Ugandans must challenge the country’s political culture and “end this old game of politics,” rallying the country to “shift the power.”
Electoral Commission Opens Nomination Process
Mpambara’s announcement comes just as the Electoral Commission officially begins the nomination process for the 2026 elections. According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, presidential aspirants can collect supporter forms, official nomination forms, and nomination guidelines between August 11 and August 24, 2025.
The supporter forms are meant to help candidates collect the required signatures from at least 100 registered voters in a minimum of 98 districts, as mandated by Uganda’s electoral laws.
Mucunguzi confirmed that the Commission is committed to facilitating a fair and inclusive process across all categories of candidates.
As the 2026 election cycle gains momentum, Yvonne Mpambara’s entry into the race introduces a new wave of grassroots-focused, activist-driven politics that could reshape the national conversation ahead of the polls.
