By BM
The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially confirmed that Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, meets all eligibility criteria to be nominated as the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections.
This decision follows initial hiccups where the commission rejected some of Kyagulanyi’s nomination signatures from districts including Mukono and Masaka.
However, after the NUP resubmitted the required signatures, the EC accepted them and issued a nomination certificate signed by Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi.
Consequently, the nomination has been rescheduled for September 24, 2025.
Kyagulanyi, the former Kyadondo East Member of Parliament and opposition leader, is preparing for his second presidential bid challenging President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing rule, following his 2021 attempt.
Reacting to the rescheduling, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya accused the commission of deliberately delaying Kyagulanyi’s nomination to prevent it from coinciding with Museveni’s.
Rubongoya noted that the party was pushed to nominate at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, a move he claimed was designed to disrupt NUP’s ability to hold two planned rallies on the same day.
In related developments, the Uganda Police Force has granted NUP permission to hold a post-nomination rally in Nateete but denied the request to use Katwe Grounds, citing security concerns.
In a letter dated September 22, 2025, addressed to NUP’s Secretary General, police officials explained that Katwe Grounds in Makindye Division is unsuitable for political rallies due to its proximity to a high-voltage power line, the busy Queensway section of Entebbe Road, and a railway crossing, posing safety risks.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has disqualified controversial Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) candidates Jimmy Akena and Adim Enapu from contesting the presidency, ruling that neither qualifies as a party flag bearer.
The Common Man’s Party candidate, Mubarak Munyagwa, has also failed to secure nomination.
Munyagwa claimed his party was unfairly sidelined, stating that their signatures were submitted before those of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the National Unity Platform (NUP).
As the nomination date approaches, political tensions continue to rise, setting the stage for a highly charged and closely watched election season. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
