Time For Oyee! NRM’s Museveni Nominated, Sets Stage For 2026 Presidential Battle!

By Frank Kamuntu

Incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was this morning formally nominated by the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest in the forthcoming January 2026 presidential elections, marking his seventh bid for Uganda’s highest office.

Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Returning Officer for Presidential Nominations and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, declared Museveni duly nominated after his nomination papers were scrutinized and found to be in full compliance with the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 179.

Museveni arrived at the EC’s newly established nomination grounds in Lweza at exactly 10:00am, accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni, Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, cabinet ministers, and senior NRM officials. His nomination papers were presented by Counsel Edwin Karugire, a senior lawyer and the President’s son-in-law.

Following a brief verification exercise, lasting approximately ten minutes, Justice Byabakama confirmed the incumbent’s eligibility:
“He has fulfilled all the requirements as stipulated in the Presidential Elections Act,” Byabakama announced, before issuing Museveni with a certificate of compliance, a lead car, and official security detail as prescribed for nominated candidates.

Nomination Requirements
According to the Electoral Commission, aspirants for the presidency must satisfy stringent legal and administrative requirements, including being a Ugandan citizen by birth, a registered voter aged at least 18 years, and possessing a minimum of Advanced Level education or its equivalent. Each aspirant must also secure the endorsement of at least 100 registered voters drawn from not less than 98 districts, representing two-thirds of the country.

Other mandatory documents include nomination papers (filed in triplicate), declaration of consent, certified academic credentials, proof of voter registration, three recent passport photographs, and evidence of payment of a non-refundable nomination fee of UGX 20 million.

Byabakama noted that only five political parties and candidates had thus far fulfilled all requirements, including the NRM, Conservative Party, National Peasants Party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and National Unity Platform (NUP). He emphasized that the Commission continues to evaluate submissions from other aspirants, granting clearance once the statutory thresholds are met.

Following the successful exercise, Museveni switched directly from Lweza to Kololo Independence Grounds, where thousands of NRM supporters have gathered for a grand celebration of his nomination.