Lweza, Uganda: The Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that three presidential candidates were successfully nominated on the first day of the 2026 Presidential Nominations, with President Yoweri Museveni becoming the first candidate to be duly cleared for the race.
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama announced that Museveni, Conservative Party’s Elton Joseph Mabirizi, and National Peasants Party (NPP) flag bearer Robert Kasibante were officially nominated at the Commission’s Lweza headquarters on Tuesday.
President Museveni, accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni, arrived at 10am for his nomination. He was welcomed by top NRM leaders, including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
Speaking to the media after being declared, Museveni emphasized the need to highlight NRM’s past achievements while projecting Uganda’s transformation agenda for 2026–2031.
“We have got two major thrusts: number one is to work with the middle class and investors outside to completely transform Uganda from a lower middle income country, which we are now, to a high middle income country moving towards first world status,” he said, noting that Uganda’s GDP had doubled under his leadership, from USD 34 billion to USD 66 billion.
NPP’s Robert Kasibante, the second candidate nominated, promised citizen-led change and inclusive development. “We must break the walls of inequality and restore dignity. Teachers and nurses deserve a future that is certain,” Kasibante declared.
Conservative Party’s Elton Joseph Mabirizi, making his second presidential attempt, was finally cleared after initially being deferred over an uncertified Master’s Degree. He later secured validation from the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) before returning to complete his nomination.
Justice Byabakama confirmed that Wednesday’s line-up includes two high-profile opposition leaders—NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) and FDC’s Nathan Nandala Mafabi. He added that other aspirants were still undergoing verification of supporter signatures before confirmation.
Meanwhile, several other hopefuls, including Joseph Kabuleta, Ecological Party’s Muhammad Nsereko, and Common Man’s Party leader Mubarak Munyagwa, were seen at the EC headquarters seeking clearance.
Former MPs Michael Kabaziguruka and Alice Alaso also followed up on ANT candidate Gen. Mugisha Muntu’s status.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
