Museveni Nominated for 2026 Presidency, Pledges to ‘Protect the Gains’

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been officially nominated by the Independent Electoral Commission to contest in the 2026 presidential elections on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket.

The nomination, which took place at the Electoral Commission grounds in Lubowa on Tuesday, was presided over by Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Returning Officer for Presidential Nominations.

“President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been duly nominated in respect of the Presidential Elections, 2026, having fulfilled the nomination requirements under the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 179,” Justice Byabakama declared.

Shortly after the nomination, President Museveni expressed gratitude to the NRM leadership and supporters for entrusting him with the party’s flag once again.

“I thank all NRM members for your confidence in me. Together, we shall continue protecting the gains we have made and move our economy into a high middle-income status,” Museveni said.

He later headed to Kololo Independence Grounds, where thousands of NRM supporters gathered for a mega rally under the theme “Protecting the Gains” to celebrate his nomination and officially kick-start the journey to the 2026 elections.

First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, also congratulated the President on his nomination, saying it marked the beginning of another chapter for Uganda.

“I warmly congratulate you, Mzee, on your nomination to serve the people of Uganda once again,” Janet Museveni said in a statement. “I give glory to God for granting you the grace, health, and wisdom to lead our nation. As we embark on this new chapter, let us, as Ugandans, come together to protect the achievements we have made and embrace the economic growth driven by the PDM.”

The NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, earlier pledged that the party, together with allied groups such as the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), would mobilise to deliver a landslide victory for Museveni in the January 2026 elections.