Ayeza Abigail Victoria, a 22-year-old university student, has picked nomination forms to contest for the presidency in Uganda’s 2026 General Election, making her one of the youngest aspirants in the race.

She revealed that her parents are unhappy with her decision, citing the risks involved, but said she is driven by a desire to see meaningful change in the country.

“What motivated me is that as we grow older, we wish the best for our society. If I want to see a difference in my country, I must be the difference,” Ayeza said. “I am not being funded by anyone. I am funding myself. I am going for signatures as I lay the foundation for my campaign.”

She will be joined on the ballot by another young aspirant, Jorine Najjemba, a 20-year-old Senior Six vacist from Nkowe, whose campaign slogan is “An Open Door to a New Uganda for Everyone.”

The Electoral Commission (EC) announced that any registered Ugandan voter aged 18 years and above intending to run for president can pick nomination forms starting Monday next week. Aspirants must pay a Shs20 million nomination fee and collect 9,800 signatures from at least 98 districts within one month.

EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama told journalists that the forms will be available at the EC head offices along Seventh Street, Industrial Area, and must be physically collected by candidates or their representatives.

“This process will allow the Commission to identify and document the aspirants and inform stakeholders across the country to assist in collecting signatures,” Justice Byabakama said. “We expect the forms to be returned by September 10, which is two weeks before the nomination exercise, to allow us to verify the signatures.”

Uganda’s presidential race is already shaping up to be competitive, with President Yoweri Museveni seeking to extend his rule beyond four decades, National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) in the running, and retired Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu nominated by the Alliance for National Transformation last week.

The elections are slated for early 2026.

New Delhi’s streets could look very different in the coming months after India’s Supreme Court ordered authorities to remove stray dogs, sterilise them, and relocate them permanently to shelters.

In a ruling issued Monday, the court directed the capital’s civic bodies to begin capturing 5,000 stray dogs from “high risk areas” within six to eight weeks, housing them in facilities with adequate staff and CCTV surveillance.

It is unclear how the figure of 5,000 was reached, with estimates of the city’s stray dog population ranging from 500,000 to one million.

While many of the animals are harmless, the move follows a rise in dog bite cases, including attacks on children. Hospital data suggests nearly 2,000 bite incidents occur daily in the capital. “The situation is extremely grim,” the court said, adding that infants and young children “should not at any cost fall prey to stray dogs.”

The court also ordered the creation of a dedicated animal helpline within a week to report bite incidents. It warned that any individual or group obstructing the removal of stray dogs would face strict legal consequences. The animals, once removed, must not be released back onto streets or into residential areas.

Animal rights activists, who had opposed the court’s involvement, were sharply rebuked. “Will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies?” the court asked. Rabies, a fatal viral disease transmitted through bites, remains a serious public health risk in India.

Following the ruling, Delhi state cabinet minister Kapil Mishra welcomed the move, describing it as a step towards freeing the city “from the fear of rabies and stray animals.” He pledged that “special attention will also be given to the comprehensive welfare of stray animals.”