The Electoral Commission has issued a warning to aspiring presidential candidates that picking up nomination forms is just one of several procedures required to qualify.
The number of candidates flocking to the commission's offices has become overwhelming, raising questions about how they will all fit on the ballot paper. However, the Electoral Commission reminds candidates to follow the proper procedures.
Among the candidates who have picked up forms is Noah Mubiru from Mayuge in Bunya East. He claims his manifesto calls for reconciliation between the incoming and outgoing governments, emphasizing forgiveness among leaders. He has asked the president to adopt his manifesto, which provides for amnesty for all people, including army officers, and aims to reduce government expenditures.
Godwin Birungi is another candidate who is calling for industrialization to create a market and reduce unemployment.
Also among the candidates is Deogratius Akampulira, a 24-year-old law student. He claims the "system is dead" and requires youth motivation. Akampulira blames all the irregularities in leadership on intentional acts that have deprived young people of the opportunity to participate in leadership.
Commission spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi says that these are not the only requirements. He mentioned other prerequisites before returning the forms, which include 100 signatures from each of the 98 districts. These signatures must be submitted two weeks before nomination day. The commission must also approve that the signatures have not appeared on other nomination forms. Additionally, candidates must pay a fee of 20 million shillings.
Meanwhile, candidate Steven Atakwijjuka insists that he is optimistic about raising the required signatures and the 20 million shillings within the two-week timeframe.
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