2026 election: What you need to know about academic qualifications

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If you are aspiring for an elective position come 2026, preparation is key. That means also getting your academic documents right.

On Friday (July 18), the Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, clarified on the establishment or verification of academic qualifications with the EC by aspirants ahead of the general elections.

Here is what he said:

▪️ Aspirants for the elective position of President, Member of Parliament, and district/city chairperson/Lord Mayor are required, by law, to have a minimum qualification of Advanced Level (A'Level) standard or its equivalent.

▪️ Aspirants who obtained the said qualifications or higher outside Uganda, are required to have their qualifications verified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) and obtain a certificate issued by NCHE to that effect.

▪️ Those who did not obtain A'Level standard education in or outside Uganda, but have other qualifications, which they claim to be equivalent to A Level standard of Uganda, must obtain a certificate of equivalency issued by NCHE in that regard.

▪️ Aspirants who have obtained the certificate of equivalency from NCHE are required to establish the requisite academic qualifications by submitting the said NCHE certificate to the EC headquarters or the District Election Administrator (DEA) in the district where the person wishes to contest, at least two months before nominations.

▪️ Please note, a certificate of equivalency for previous elections is not relevant for the 2025/2026 General Elections. One is required to obtain a fresh certificate, unless such a person has since acquired a higher qualification obtained in Uganda (for example, a degree).

▪️ For emphasis, the following persons are not required to establish or verify their academic qualifications with NCHE:

i) Aspirants with A'Level certificate obtained in Uganda

ii) Aspirants with higher qualifications (than A'Level) obtained in Uganda

iii) Aspirants with qualifications higher than the A'Level certificate obtained from the former University of East Africa or any of its constituent colleges

▪️ Furthermore, the above-mentioned three categories of persons need not establish their academic qualifications with the EC in the said period, that is, at least two months before nominations.