Renowned philanthropist and political figure Dr Keddi Eric Stephen Zuluba has vowed to take legal action against the Electoral Commission (EC) following his dramatic exclusion from the 2026 presidential nominations.
Keddi, who is also the founding president of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), accused the EC of “deliberately and fraudulently” blocking his candidacy, despite what he described as full compliance with all nomination requirements.
Speaking to the press outside the Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala on September 23, 2025, just hours after the official close of the presidential nomination window, Keddi denounced the process as a “flawed and politically motivated scheme.”
“We are deeply frustrated by the Electoral Commission’s decision to lock us out of the presidential race due to alleged failure to meet the required number of signatures,” Keddi said. “This decision was not just unfair, it was illegal. We fulfilled all requirements well before the deadline.”
According to Keddi, by Monday evening his campaign had secured 93% of the required endorsement signatures from districts across Uganda, falling just five districts short of the Electoral Commission’s threshold.
By Tuesday morning, he claimed, they had not only surpassed the 98-district requirement but physically delivered the remaining signatures to EC offices in person.
“We even exceeded the required number. But still, the EC refused to acknowledge our submission. What excuse will Simon Byabakama come up with now to justify denying UPM and our supporters a place on the ballot?” he asked, referring to the Electoral Commission chairperson.
Keddi, visibly dismayed, described the move as a betrayal of democratic values and a direct denial of the people’s right to choose their leaders.
“This isn’t just a personal loss. It’s a loss for all Ugandans who believe in democracy and were ready to support our vision of transformation. We are consulting our lawyers and will pursue all legal avenues to challenge this injustice,” he declared.
While he declined to provide specific timelines for the court action, Keddi confirmed that the party is preparing to sue both the Electoral Commission and its chairperson in their official capacities. He also hinted at possible collaboration with other affected candidates.
“We are looking at forming a united front with all other aspirants who were unfairly disqualified. This fight is not just about UPM, it’s about the future of free and fair elections in Uganda.”
Who is Dr Keddi Eric Stephen Zuluba?
Keddi is no stranger to the public eye. An established businessman and devout philanthropist, is the founder of the Keddi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that has been active in humanitarian work since 2019.
The foundation has been instrumental in offering aid to landslide victims in Bududa, sponsoring medical procedures for heart patients, and supporting underprivileged schools across rural Uganda with classroom infrastructure, roofing, and scholastic materials.
In addition to his philanthropic work, Keddi is also a man of business and faith. His commercial interests span gold trading, freight and cargo logistics, and real estate. He is also a pastor and spiritual leader.
He previously contested for the Butebo District parliamentary seat in the last general election but lost. Undeterred, he has since built a national profile and officially launched the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), under which he declared his presidential ambitions.
Despite this setback, Keddi insists this is only the beginning.
“This journey is far from over. We’re not backing down. We’re fighting for truth, fairness, and the right of every Ugandan to choose their leader without manipulation,” he affirmed.
As Uganda edges closer to the 2026 general elections, Keddi’s next moves, and the legal showdown he promises, are likely to be closely watched across the political landscape.
