Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni waits to welcome President of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi prior to his arrival at the state house in Entebbe, Uganda, on Nov 9, 2019. (SUMY SADURNI / AFP)

KAMPALA - Uganda's electoral body on Monday started to nominate presidential candidates for 2021 general elections.

Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, chairperson of the Electoral Commission, said ten aspiring candidates have been verified and cleared for nominations in the two-day nomination exercise held at Kyambogo University Cricket grounds, about nine kilometers east of the capital Kampala.

Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, chairperson of the Electoral Commission, said ten aspiring candidates have been verified and cleared for nominations

He said five candidates, including incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, former Security Minister Henry Tumukunde, former army commander Mugisha Muntu, John Katumba and Nancy Linda Kalembe, have been nominated on Monday. Five other candidates will be nominated on Tuesday.

"I declare Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, a duly nominated presidential candidate for the 2021 general election," said the Electoral Commission chair.

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The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in July declared Museveni, who has been in power for over 30 years, as the party's presidential candidate and national chairman for the next five years.

According to a previous law in the east African country, people over the age of 75 were not allowed to run for the presidency.

Legislators in 2017 voted to remove the age limit of 75, paving way for Museveni, who is now 76 to run for the presidency in the 2021 polls.

Byabakama also said any presidential candidate who tests positive for COVID-19 will be nominated in absentia.

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The Electoral Commission is expected to announce the official dates for presidential campaigns and the next year's polls.

"Upon successful nomination, the candidates will be free to campaign," said Byabakama.