By BM
In a powerful display of political dominance and personal vitality, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was officially endorsed unopposed as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer for the 2026 general elections, and re-elected as NRM National Chairman for the 2025–2031 term.
The high-stakes announcement came during the fifth NRM National Conference at Kololo Independence Grounds, where more than 23,000 delegates from across Uganda gathered to witness what may go down as a defining moment in the nation’s political history.
Accompanied by First Lady and Education Minister Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, the 79-year-old head of state addressed the crowd with characteristic resolve, thanking the party for entrusting him once again with the leadership mantle.
“I thank you for entrusting me to be your Chairman of the NRM for the period 2025–2031… Thank you for electing me as your flag bearer for the presidential contest for the position of President of Uganda for 2026–2031. I will not let you down. We have more capacity now than ever before,” Museveni declared.
As he stepped away from the podium, the unexpected happened.
Museveni, dressed in his signature safari hat and light-colored suit, broke into a jog, drawing gasps and then applause from the crowd.
His security detail scrambled to keep pace. Delegates rose to their feet in laughter and applause, some cheering him on as if he were finishing a symbolic race toward 2026.
The brief jog, captured in a viral video, lit up social media, with users on X (formerly Twitter) praising Museveni’s energy and fitness. “The man has ruled for nearly 40 years and still runs like he’s just getting started,” one user quipped.
Back on the political front, the endorsement came without a single challenger, solidifying Museveni as the sole candidate for both key leadership positions within the ruling party.
NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong confirmed that the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and National Executive Council (NEC) had unanimously supported Museveni’s bid.
“The Central Executive Committee and the National Executive Council strongly recommended and endorsed His Excellency General (Retired) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the NRM presidential flag bearer, unopposed,” Todwong said.
The NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, officially presented Museveni to the gathering, triggering another wave of applause and chants.
In parallel, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo was also re-elected unopposed as First National Vice Chairperson.
Museveni praised him as a revolutionary stalwart and “senior cadre” who has stood with the movement since 1980.
The President then shifted gears, delivering a comprehensive historical and economic address that detailed Uganda’s journey from post-independence instability to a growing modern economy.
He outlined five key economic transformation phases under the NRM from Minimum Economic Recovery to a Knowledge-Based Economy.
“Uganda’s GDP has grown from USD 3.9 billion in 1986 to USD 66.1 billion (forex method) and USD 188 billion (PPP method) by the close of the 2025/2026 financial year. That’s a 17-fold increase,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Museveni projected a leap to a USD 500 billion economy, grounded in seven key pillars: peace, development, wealth, jobs, services, markets, and political federation.
He urged Ugandans to prioritize commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
Citing the case of Joseph Ijala, a farmer in Serere earning UGX 1.4 billion annually from just 2.5 acres, Museveni emphasized that real wealth creation must begin at the household level.
“Government jobs are only 480,000. Factories and farming create more jobs than government payrolls,” he said.
Museveni also stressed the need for continental political unity to secure Africa’s place in a rapidly evolving global security and technological landscape.
“Even when Uganda becomes developed, can it be present in the four dimensions of global power land, air, sea, and space? The answer is no. Only a politically integrated Africa can ensure strategic security,” he warned.
He pointed to the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and efforts toward an East African political federation as vital steps toward economic and security sovereignty.
The conference drew Uganda’s top political leadership and international delegations, including Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker Anita Among, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and former Vice Presidents Gilbert Bukenya and Edward Ssekandi.
International guests came from Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, South Africa, China, and the Saharawi Republic.
Al-Hajji Kigongo congratulated Museveni on his nomination, declaring:
“We’re not going to let you down.”
As Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections, Museveni’s surprise jog served as a symbolic reminder both to his supporters and critics that the veteran leader is not just running the country; he’s still very much in the race. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
