Kampala – The Electoral Commission (EC) has released the updated register of political parties legally recognized in Uganda, setting the stage for their participation in the 2026 general elections.
The register, published in accordance with the Political Parties and Organisations Act, details parties that have met key legal obligations, including maintaining functional offices, filing leadership structures, and providing official contacts.
According to the EC, the exercise aims to enhance transparency and accountability as the country prepares for what is expected to be a highly competitive election season. Only parties on the list are permitted to conduct political activities, field candidates, and engage voters in the run-up to 2026.
Uganda currently has more than 25 recognized political parties, ranging from long-established players to newly emerging outfits. Among them are the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), opposition giants National Unity Platform (NUP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
Other parties on the official roll include Justice Forum (JEEMA), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), and National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), alongside smaller formations such as the Republican Women and Youth Party (RWYP), Forum for Integrity in Leadership (FIL), and the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA).
The EC noted that the updated register also captures each party’s physical address, registered leadership, and contact details to ease access and public scrutiny.
Below is the full list of parties cleared to operate ahead of the 2026 elections:
National Resistance Movement (NRM)
People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
Forum for Integrity in Leadership (FIL)
Republican Women and Youth Party (RWYP)
National Peasants’ Party (NPP)
Uganda Economic Party (UEP)
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
Conservative Party (CP)
National Unity Platform (NUP)
Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU)
National Convention for Democracy (NCD)
Liberal Democratic Transparency (LDT)
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC)
Justice Forum (JEEMA)
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM)
Democratic Party (DP)
National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) – formerly People’s United Movement (PUM)
Society for Peace and Development (SPD)
People’s Development Party (PDP)
Congress Service Volunteers Organisation (COSEVO)
Activist Party (AP)
Democratic Front – formerly Green Partisan Party (GPP)
Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA)
Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP)
Alliance for National Transformation (ANT)
People’s Front for Freedom (PFF)
With the official register now public, political analysts say the real test will be how effectively these parties mobilize grassroots support and prepare candidates ahead of nominations.
