KAMPALA – September 24, 2025 – In a powerful and defiant address, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) has officially accepted the nomination to contest for President of Uganda in the 2026 general elections, framing the upcoming race as a final, non-violent protest against President Yoweri Museveni’s four-decade rule.
Speaking to supporters on Wednesday, the nominee declared the campaign a mission to achieve “a New Uganda,” promising a government that serves its people rather than oppressing them. The speech was a direct challenge to the current government, accusing it of ruling “on gunpoint,” looting the nation, and turning citizens into “slaves on their own land.”
Acknowledging Past Sacrifices, Rejecting Surrender
The candidate directly addressed the trauma of the 2021 elections, acknowledging the hundreds of comrades who were “illegally arrested, tortured, killed, or missing.” In response to those questioning why they should vote again, the answer was resolute: “We risk it all because the alternative is giving up and that’s 10 times worse.” Surrender, they argued, would betray the sacrifice of activists like Ritah Nabukenya, Frank Senteza, and Yasin Kauma.
The strategy for 2026 was outlined as a “PROTEST VOTE.” The nominee stated, “We are going into this election as a way of protesting against all the injustice that has happened to us for 40 years.” The goal is to mobilize Ugandans to “come out vote in very large numbers; numbers too big to rig,” using a legal, constitutional, and non-violent approach.
A Direct Appeal and a Stark Warning
A poignant appeal was made to Ugandans in the diaspora, described as the country’s “biggest investors,” who fear returning home. Citing the recent abduction of Sam Mugumya and the forced exile of lawyer Robert Kayingo Lujja, the candidate vowed to fight for a Uganda where returnees are “received with flowers, not handcuffs.”
A message was also directed at President Museveni, urging him to “listen to your friend Gen. Kahinda Otafire.” The candidate warned, “You don’t have to burn it down on your way out,” and offered a peaceful democratic transition as the best guarantee for the President’s legacy and security. The plea was simple: “All we want is a FREE AND FAIR ELECTION, no military violence, no police brutality. Let this be an election, not a military operation.”
Acknowledging the Danger and Painting a Vision
The speech did not shy away from the perceived dangers of the campaign, referencing a statement by the President’s son, who heads the military, promising to kill to guarantee votes. The candidate described the campaign trail as “walking into the valley of the shadow of death” but urged comrades to “fear no evil.”
A vision of a “New Uganda” was laid out, promising a country without guns on the streets, where security forces protect citizens, public servants are paid decently, farmers earn fair incomes, and jobs are available to all qualified Ugandans. The candidate promised that a detailed manifesto would be unveiled soon.
Call to Action and International Appeal
The nominee praised the resilience of the NUP, highlighting the acquisition of a party headquarters, the establishment of a leadership school, and support for families of political prisoners as evidence of their ability to “use less to achieve more.”
The international community was called upon to stand with the struggle, framing a free Uganda as essential for a stable East Africa and a prosperous continent. “Uganda under dictatorship is a liability to all nations,” the candidate asserted.
In a stirring conclusion, the candidate honored senior opposition figures and political prisoners, and gave a final, emotional charge to foot soldiers. Acknowledging the campaign would be a “war we never chose,” the candidate instructed them to “protect yourselves… protect each other” and to maintain discipline and courage.
“Failure is not an option,” the nominee declared. “We must get our freedom or die trying to get our freedom… This is not a question of ‘if,’ but a question of ‘when’.”
