A 20-year-old Gen Z candidate has officially entered the 2026 Ugandan presidential race, becoming one of many young people to pick up nomination forms on Monday, August 11, to challenge long-serving President Yoweri Museveni.

With the 2026 general elections approaching, the Electoral Commission has begun issuing nomination forms and guidelines to aspiring candidates for the presidency.

According to media reports in Uganda, the process began on Monday, August 11 and will close on Wednesday, September 24.

By 2pm on Monday, a total of 28 aspiring candidates had collected nomination forms, according to the Electoral Commission Deputy Spokesperson, Paul Bukenya.

Three of these are from registered political parties, while the rest are independents.

“By 2pm, 28 aspirants had picked up forms, and three of them are from registered political parties,” said Bukenya.

What is unusual, however, is that the majority of those who picked up forms today (Monday) are young people.

Jorine Najjemba, who completed her senior six studies last year, was among those who picked their nomination forms to contest in the upcoming elections.

She said her candidacy is aimed at offering fresh ideas and leadership that prioritise compassion and understanding.

“I finished form six last year. I’m 20 years old. I have come to aspire for the presidency, and I’m looking for your votes and support. Everyone, willing out there, support me, put your trust in me.

Some of you might judge me because I’m a lady and say I can’t do it,” she said.

She criticised what she described as harsh leadership in the country, vowing to lead with empathy. “We are tired of harsh people within our country; we want people who are going to understand others, people who have a sense of humanity within them. That is none other than me,” she added.

Running under the slogan ‘Open Door, New Uganda for Everyone’, Najjemba said she wants to make the country open to all and push for inclusive leadership.

She revealed her political ambitions began in 2016 while in primary six and expressed her determination to contribute to change.

Najjemba said she can steer the country to a better future despite her age. “Trust me, do not judge me because of my age and appearance, I may be small, but I can do greater things,” she stated.

Her bid and those of the others have been made possible by a 2017 constitutional amendment that removed the presidential age limit.

Before the change, Article 102(b) of the 1995 Constitution required candidates to be at least 35 and not more than 75 years old. The amendment, passed by Parliament and signed into law in December 2017, eliminated these restrictions.

Najjemba will be contesting against long-serving President Museveni, among other candidates.

Museveni, who has been in power since January 1986, is expected to collect nomination papers for the 2026 race from the offices of the National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission.

His 39-year rule has seen both economic progress and criticism regarding authoritarian governance and human rights concerns.