KAMPALA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been formally nominated as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate for Uganda’s 2026 presidential election, setting the stage for him to extend his nearly four-decade-long rule.
The 81-year-old incumbent arrived at the Electoral Commission’s nomination grounds in Lubowa on Tuesday morning amidst a high-level delegation from the ruling party. He was accompanied by the First Lady and Education Minister, Janet Kataaha Museveni, underscoring the family’s central role in the nation’s politics.
The President’s arrival was also marked by the presence of key party stalwarts, including NRM First National Vice Chairperson Moses Kigongo and the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, signaling unified support from the top echelons of the government.
Accepting the nomination to run on the NRM ticket, President Museveni framed his candidacy around promises of continued stability and a focus on Uganda’s economic transformation. Having been in power since 1986, he has often positioned himself as a guarantor of peace and development in the East African nation.
This nomination officially kicks off President Museveni’s campaign for a seventh term in office. If successful, it would further cement his status as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. The 2026 election will be a key test for the NRM as it seeks to maintain its dominance amid evolving economic and social challenges in Uganda.
