Uganda Elections 2026 in pictures

KAMPALA - Ugandans went to the polls on Thursday after three months of presidential campaigns, with 21,681,491 voters expected to cast their vote from 50,739 polling stations across the country.

Among the candidates the electorate is voting for is the incumbent, and of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also seeking a fifth term.

Other candidates are Robert Kyagulanyi of National Unity Platform (NUP), Nathan Nandala Mafabi of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Mugisha Muntu of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Robert Kasibante of National Peasants Party (NPP), Mubarak Munyagwa of Common Man’s Party (CMP), Frank Kabinga of Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP), and Joseph Mabirizi of Conservative Party (CP).

The electorate is also voting for Members of Parliament from different political parties, vying for 499 parliamentary seats. 

Below is a picture highlight how voting is taking place from various parts of the country;

Meanwhile, the incumbent, Museveni, cast his ballot in the Western district of Kiruhura at Kaaro polling station in Rwakitura, directing for a probe to establish which officials failed to send the biodata to the Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK) that have since failed to operate on polling day.

The President further said somebody at EC delayed sending the photos and entering the user’s biodata into the machines. Museveni then asked the area returning officer to explain how the machine operators were recruited. (Eddie Ssejjoba captured the president as he cast his vote);

Immediately after casting his vote, the president spoke to the press.

At Karegyeye polling station in Kikoni Parish, Ntungamo District, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, cast her vote.

She was accompanied by the First daughter, Natasha Karugire Museveni, on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (PPU photos)

Meanwhile, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), cast his vote at Mbuya Hill polling centre in Nakawa division in Kampala district.

Kainerugaba was in company of his wife, Charlotte Muhoozi.

At Freedom Square polling station in Magere, Wakiso district, National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu cast his vote. Kyagulanyi was in company of his wife, Barbie. (Ponsiano Nsimbi captured the presidential hopeful as he cast his vote)

Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi casting her vote at Freedom Square polling station in Magere, Wakiso district on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Prime Minister Nabbanja casts her vote at Kakeeka Playground in Kakumiro district on Thursday, January 15, 2025.

Elsewhere, the sun had barely risen over Rubaga North constituency when voters began streaming into polling centres, hope written on their faces and national identity cards clutched tightly in their hands.

By 6:20am, long before polling officially began, men and women of all ages had converged at various centres, determined to take part in choosing their next leaders. For many, it felt like a civic duty worth waking up early for. (Reports Lawrenec Mulondo)

Some of the residents of Lungujja in Rubaga North constituency casting their votes at Makamba polling station during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026.

Margaret Kizito (seated in wheelchair) being aided to vote by her son, Andrew Kizito, at Makamba polling station in Lungujja Rubaga division constituency. This was during presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026.

Abubaker Kawalya, the incumbent and aspiring Member of Parliament for Rubaga North on the National Unity Platform (NUP) party ticket voting at Mugema polling station during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026.

Seasoned politician Wasswa Lule casting his vote at Makamba polling station at Lungujja Rubaga North Constituency. This was during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026.

Katongole Singh, the aspiring Member of Parliament for Rubaga North on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket casting his vote at Makamba polling station in Lungujja a Kampala city suburb. This was during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026.

Polling officials at Bulindo A-CAT polling station in Wakio district consult each other during the electoral exercise. (Wilfred Sanya captured the moments)

NUP’s Geoge Musisi casts his ballot at KAUK- MUT polling station at St Francis Catholic church at Bulido Wakios district.

The electorate at Kireka Rehabilitation Centre, Kireka ward, polling station seated as they waited for voting materials that reportedly delayed reaching the voting station.

The electorate cast their vote at MUU-NAL voting station, Bulindo village in Wakiso district.

At Bulindo A- CAT poling station in Wakio district, PeninaBesigye, the National Chairperson for the Elderly in Uganda, relaxes after casting her vote. 

Here, a female voter casts her vote in Shauriyako, Kampala, on Thursday. (All Photos by Stuart Yiga)

A mother, carrying her baby, casts her vote along William Street on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The presidential ballot paper 

A returning officer interacts with candidates' agents before the voting kicked off in Shauriyako on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Voters queue up to vote in Shauriyako on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Russian election observers interact with a female returning officer at William Street on Thursday, January 15, 2026. 

Russian election observers interact with a female returning officer at William Street on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Russian delegates observing the voting progress at City House in Kampala on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Candidates’ agents making some election material verification process on William Street. 

A voter casts his vote along William Street. 

A polling official displays a polling box to indicate that it has not been interfered with. 

The elderly cast their vote at Lungujja polling station, Lubaga North in Kampala. (Photos by Patrick Kibirango)

Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate in Kawempe North, casts his ballot in the general elections at Church Zone in Kawempe Tula on January 15, 2026. (Credit: Nicholas Oneal)

Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate in Kawempe North casting his vote in the general elections at Church Zone in Kawempe Tula on January, 15, 2026. (Credit: Nicholas Oneal)

Faridah Nambi (NRM) candidate in Kawempe North casting her vote in the general elections at Mbogo Primary school in Kawempe on January 15, 2026. (Credit: Nicholas Oneal)

Minister Fred Byamukama (right), who is also the NRM Chairman Kakumiro district, receives a ballot paper to vote at Kikwaya primary school polling station on January, Thursday 15, 2026.

IGP Abas Byakagaba voting at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church Polling station in Kirinya, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)