President Museveni has officially declared his intention to seek another term as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) national chairperson and presidential flag bearer ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
Museveni, who has led the NRM since its inception, picked nomination forms from the party’s Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on Saturday afternoon.
He was accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni.
A large delegation of senior party officials—including Vice President Jessica Alupo, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, ministers, Members of Parliament, and other leaders—gathered to witness the long-time party leader begin the nomination process.
Tanga Odoi, chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, received Museveni shortly after 1:00 PM and confirmed that all necessary verifications had been completed, including confirmation of party membership and payment of the required nomination fees.
After successful vetting, Odoi handed Museveni the expression of interest forms for both positions—the national chairperson and the presidential flag bearer.
He urged the president to return the forms by the set deadline.
“Don’t go beyond July 5 because if you do, you’ll be out of time,” Odoi said.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong explained that Museveni’s decision to contest was a response to numerous petitions from party supporters across the country.
“The party has been receiving petitions from members requesting that he seeks another term. This decision is not self-imposed; it is in response to the will of the people within the NRM,” Todwong stated.
While addressing the gathering at the party headquarters, Museveni used the occasion to caution against the politics of individualism, which he described as detrimental to national progress.
“Even if you are very brilliant, even if you are what, there is nothing you can do as an individual,” Museveni said, underscoring the need for collective decision-making and people-centered leadership.
He advocated for an approach where communities assess their needs and choose leaders based on issues rather than personal ambition.
“For example, during elections, you can sit down and ask: in our area, who is there and what are the issues? Then among us, who can push these issues better than the other?” he added.
