By Mulengera Reporters
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was on Tuesday officially nominated by the Electoral Commission (EC) as a candidate in Uganda’s 2026 presidential elections, setting the stage for what many expect to be one of the most intense and contested races in the country’s history.
At 81, Museveni will be seeking a sixth elected term in office, having led Uganda since 1986.
Backed by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Museveni arrived at the EC’s Lubowa nomination grounds alongside senior party officials, including First Lady Janet Museveni and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.
In his post-nomination remarks, Museveni emphasized peace, security, and economic transformation, while pledging to uphold law and order during the upcoming campaign season. “There is no war in Uganda. The army is strong. We are only facing pockets of crime, which we are addressing,” he said.
The EC’s approval of Museveni’s candidacy comes as the country’s political temperature begins to rise, with opposition figures rallying supporters and civil society calling for transparency and fairness.
Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, is expected to be nominated this week, renewing a high-profile rivalry that first gained traction during the 2021 elections.
While NRM officials lauded the EC’s thorough review process and the party’s internal unity, political analysts say the 2026 election could serve as a critical juncture for Uganda’s democratic trajectory.
With a youthful electorate, growing demands for political change, and rising concern over electoral fairness, the atmosphere surrounding the 2026 polls is already charged.
Observers are watching closely to see how the Electoral Commission manages the process and whether it can maintain credibility amid mounting public scrutiny.
NRM’s campaign is expected to begin immediately, focusing on Museveni’s legacy of stability and development.
Meanwhile, the opposition is intensifying grassroots mobilization, promising a more confrontational political season.
The EC’s endorsement of Museveni’s candidacy marks the official start of Uganda’s journey to 2026 — one that promises to test both political resolve and institutional integrity in equal measure.
