Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni is set to pick expression of interest forms from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) headquarters on Saturday, June 28, 2025, as he officially begins his bid for a seventh presidential term in the 2026 general elections.
The announcement was made by NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, during a press briefing at the party secretariat in Kampala on Monday, June 23.
Dr Odoi confirmed that the President will pick nomination forms for two positions – NRM national chairperson and the party’s presidential flag bearer for the upcoming polls.
“I want to take this opportunity to notify all party members that the President will himself pick the nomination forms for party chairman and for contesting as the party presidential flag bearer in the 2026 elections,” Dr Odoi said.
His long rule has been credited with ushering in relative peace and stability following years of civil unrest. However, critics argue that this stability is eroding amid growing insecurity, clampdowns on civil liberties, and alleged state-orchestrated violence, especially during election seasons.
If nominated and elected (as widely expected), Mr Museveni, who will turn 81 in September this year, will be in his seventh successive term as president and party leader, extending a tenure that has lasted nearly four decades since coming into power in 1986.
Security agencies have frequently come under fire for human rights violations, including alleged abductions and torture of opposition supporters. These incidents have sparked domestic and international concern, especially ahead of yet another high-stakes election.
One of the main challengers expected to face Mr Museveni again in 2026 is opposition leader and pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, who is also expected to carry the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag to run for president for a second time.
Mr Kyagulanyi has consistently accused Mr Museveni’s regime of using state security forces to harass and torture political opponents. In the 2021 election, the Electoral Commission declared Mr Museveni the winner with 58.64% of the vote, against Kyagulanyi’s 34.83%, with a voter turnout of 52%.
At the time, Museveni, then aged 76, based his campaign on experience and stability, while Kyagulanyi, 38, galvanized young voters with promises of democratic reform and an end to corruption.
Dr Tanga also revealed that aspirants vying for top positions on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) will be nominated on July 4.
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