Road to 2026: Among, Alupo, Tayebwa eye re-election as NRM kicks off MP nomination process

Kampala, Uganda: The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Monday opened the picking of expression of interest forms for aspirants seeking to contest for Parliamentary seats ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Among the prominent figures who picked nomination forms on the first day included Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem, former Minister for the Presidency Esther Mbayo, Workers’ MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara, and NRM Women’s League Chairperson, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende.

Speaking shortly after collecting her forms, Speaker Among praised the NRM party for running a transparent and structured internal electoral process. “NRM has been and will always be a democratic party,” she said.

When asked whether she would consider running as an independent if she were to lose in the primaries, Among dismissed the notion, stating, “I am a tested leader. I cannot fail to go through the party primaries.”

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa also confirmed his re-election bid for Ruhinda North, stating via his official X account, “At midday today, I picked up nomination forms from the @NRMOnline Electoral Commission headquarters at Kyadondo to run for Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North Constituency. To me, leadership means going down to the communities, listening to the people, and bringing their voices to national and global platforms wherever I have the opportunity to represent them.”

Tayebwa commended the party’s electoral commission for a smooth start to the nomination process and pledged full adherence to party guidelines during the exercise.

NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, who is overseeing the process, reiterated that the party remains committed to conducting free and fair internal elections as it prepares for the 2026 polls.