President Yoweri Museveni was on Tuesday morning officially nominated to contest for Uganda’s highest office, marking his bid for a seventh presidential term.
The 81-year-old incumbent arrived at the Electoral Commission’s nomination grounds in Lubowa, Wakiso District, accompanied by First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni, NRM First National Vice Chairperson Moses Kigongo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, and several senior party officials.
Running once again on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, Museveni anchored his campaign message on stability, security, and economic transformation.
After his nomination, the president pledged to deepen efforts to safeguard what he called Uganda’s “hard-won gains.”
“There is peace in the country. There is no war—the army cannot allow that. But there is a bit of crime and impunity, which we shall continue to address,” Museveni told supporters.
He praised the Electoral Commission for its thorough work in scrutinising documents and approving his candidature, describing the process as “a lot of paperwork well handled.”
The president also expressed gratitude to NRM members for re-electing him as party chairperson and entrusting him with the flagbearer role. He urged party structures nationwide to remain vigilant, expose wrongdoers, and support efforts to strengthen the rule of law.
First taking power in 1986 after a protracted guerrilla war, Museveni has since won five consecutive elections, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His leadership has been marked by major infrastructure projects, expansion of social services, and economic reforms aimed at moving Uganda toward middle-income status.
Museveni’s nomination sets the stage for a high-stakes race in the 2026 General Election, where he is expected to face off against opposition contenders, including Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), who is scheduled to be nominated on Wednesday.
