President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was on Saturday officially nominated as the unopposed candidate for both National Chairman and Presidential Flagbearer of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
The ceremony took place at the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala and drew a mix of celebration and senior political presence. Traditional dancers, drummers, and party loyalists filled the grounds. Chants of support rang out as security struggled to manage the crowd.
Museveni, 80, arrived with First Lady Janet Museveni to submit his expression of interest and confirm his nomination.
“I want to thank the NRM Electoral Commission for nominating me,” Museveni posted to his 3.6 million followers on X, formerly Twitter. “I hope the whole membership of the NRM and its structures will support my candidature as the Chairman of the NRM for the 2025–2031 and also as flag-bearer for the NRM in the Presidential contest for the 2026–2031.”
In his message, he outlined six priorities for the coming term: “Peace — no war and no crime, Development, Wealth (Every home must have wealth. It is personal and private), Jobs, Services (health, education, spirituality, hotels, etc.), and Markets.”
Top NRM leaders were present, including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and party Vice Chairperson Al-Haji Moses Kigongo, who helped welcome the President. Among is also running for the role of 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female), while First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, observing from the sidelines, is seeking to retain her current position.
Museveni’s nomination solidifies his dominance on the ruling party, which has backed him in every election since the early 1990s. If he wins again, his presidency will extend into a fifth decade. He has led Uganda since 1986.
The 2026 race is widely expected to pit Museveni once again against opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, who challenged the incumbent in 2021 and has since remained a vocal critic of his leadership.
