A carnival-like atmosphere erupted at the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission headquarters in Kyadondo, Kampala, this afternoon as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni arrived for his official nomination.
Beaming with energy, joy, and anticipation, supporters in yellow thronged the party offices, dancing and waving flags as they welcomed the President.
Museveni, 80, was accompanied by First Lady Maama Janet Museveni as he returned his expression of interest forms and presented himself for nomination as the NRM presidential flag bearer and party national chairman ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Traditional dancers, ululating women, and young people clad in party colours animated the grounds outside the party offices, transforming the day into a spectacle of loyalty and celebration.
Chants in support of the president echoed across the venue as security personnel attempted to maintain order among the overwhelming crowds.
Senior party leaders, including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and NRM Vice Chairperson Al-Haji Moses Kigongo, were present to receive the President. Among, who is also contesting for the position of 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female), was cheered on by Kigongo, while First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga looked on, hoping to retain her position.
Despite the excitement, the day was not without incident. Earlier, several youths were arrested near the party offices in what security described as a “preventive measure” to ensure a smooth event.
President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is expected to seek a seventh elective term in office.
He will likely face off once again with National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, in what many anticipate to be a heated contest.
With today’s nomination, Museveni takes a formal step toward extending his four-decade rule, amid cheers from loyalists and mounting scrutiny from the opposition and international observers.
