Uganda has had only one president since 1986, although several candidates have contested for this position, with only a few women joining the race and none succeeding.
Therefore, these women have challenged a largely male-dominated political arena, raising critical conversations about representation, inclusivity, and the role of women in leadership.
Although their numbers have been limited, their bids highlight both the progress made and the obstacles that remain for women aspiring to hold the nation’s highest office.
Female Presidential Candidates in Uganda
Over the years, only a few women have stepped forward to contest the presidency in Uganda.
The following highlights the women who have run for president, their political parties, the years they contested, and the outcomes of their campaigns.
Miria Obote
She was born on July 16, 1936.
She studied at Gayaza High School and later joined Makerere University for intermediate studies.
Miria was Uganda’s first lady for two years during the presidency of her husband, Apollo Milton Obote.
After the death of her husband, several party members begged Miria to present herself as a candidate to replace her late husband as leader of UPC.
In 2006, Miria became the first female presidential candidate in Uganda.
She contested under the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party, becoming the first woman to lead a major political party.
Miria finished fifth out of five candidates.
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Beti Kamya
She was born in Nakuru, Kenya, on 30 November 1955.
However, in 1961, when Beti was six years old, the family relocated to Uganda.
In July 2021, Beti was appointed as the Inspector General of Government (IGG).
Before becoming an IGG, Beti Kamya served as the Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority from 6 June 2016 until 14 December 2019.
Later, she contested the presidency of Uganda in 2021 as the only female candidate in a field of eight.
In 2010, after leaving the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Beti founded the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA).
She then ran for the presidency under UFA, finishing fifth with 52,782 votes.
Maureen Kyalya
She was born on July 14, 1974.
She studied law for one year at Makerere University, a Doctor of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice at the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, and later the Bar Professional Training Course at the University of Law.
In 2016, Maureen was the only woman to contest the presidency among eight candidates, running as an independent.
She scored 42,833 votes as the sixth candidate.
Nancy Kalembe:
She was born on September 15, 1980, in Uganda.
Nancy attended Mount Saint Mary’s College, Namagunga, and Mariam High School.
Later, she joined Makerere University to study a Bachelor of Population Studies.
She is the founder of Spring Clean, a cleaning company, and the CEO of Mbali Mbali Ltd.
In 2021, Nancy contested for the presidency in Uganda.
Even though 11 candidates ran for president, she was the only woman and an independent.
She scored 38,772 votes, finishing in seventh position.
Meanwhile, as the 2026 elections approach in Uganda, there is no female candidate cleared for the presidency.
How Presidential Candidates Are Nominated and Cleared
In Uganda, the Electoral Commission (EC) supervises the nomination and clearance of presidential aspirants, a process grounded in constitutional and statutory law.
To qualify, a candidate must be a Ugandan citizen by birth, a registered voter, and at least 35 years old.
Additionally, aspirants are also required to have a minimum formal education of Advanced (A) Level or its equivalent, with overseas qualifications verified by the National Council for Higher Education in conjunction with the Uganda National Examinations Board.d
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In addition, a presidential nomination must be supported by at least 100 registered voters from at least 98 districts, representing two-thirds of Uganda’s districts.
Therefore, the EC thoroughly vets all documentation, including academic qualifications and supporting signatures, before clearing candidates for the ballot; failure to meet any requirement can result in disqualification.
Why Candidates Can Be Disqualified
A person is not qualified to contest the presidency in Uganda if:
- They are suffering from mental illness,
- He or she is holding or acting in an office the functions of which involve responsibility for or in connection with the conduct of an election.
- Has been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in Uganda and has not been discharged
- Are under a sentence of death or a sentence of imprisonment exceeding nine months imposed by any competent court without the option of a fine,
- He or she has, within the seven years immediately preceding the election, been convicted by a competent court of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude.
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