President Y Museveni, who also serves as the National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has said the overwhelming love and support shown to him by party members during PDM tours across the country inspired his decision to seek re-election in the 2026 General Elections.
On Saturday, Museveni officially picked nomination forms to contest for the positions of NRM National Chairman and Presidential Flag Bearer, during a ceremony held at the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters in Kyadondo, Kampala.
The forms were handed to him by the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, amid cheers from members of the Central Executive Committee, ministers, senior party leaders, and thousands of enthusiastic supporters.
accompanied by the First Lady Janet Museveni, the President said he was energized to run again after interacting with Ugandans during his recent upcountry tours.
“I thank the NRM fraternity for the love and support you have shown me while I was moving around the country. It energized me to take up the mantle to lead the country for the next five years,” Museveni said.
The President noted that Uganda is now on a positive developmental path, transitioning into a knowledge-based economy with growing innovations in science and technology.
“The country is now on the right trajectory. We are embracing the knowledge economy based on science. You can see the vehicles that we are making here, the vaccines, computers and so on,” he said.
He promised to prioritize value addition in key sectors during the next term, focusing on transforming Uganda’s economy through industrialization.
“In this coming term, I will make sure that we really move into value addition like sugar production, coffee processing and other products,” he remarked.
President Museveni also vowed to intensify the fight against corruption if given another mandate, arguing that ending corruption is critical to making the most of public resources.
The Head of State advised leaders to rise above tribal and identity politics and instead focus on ideological clarity.
“NRM is a party based on issues, policies, and principles. I want to remind my NRM people that what we are engaged in is the politics of issues and policies. Avoid wasting time as individuals and focus on strengthening the party, and we move as a force,” he urged.
He further encouraged patriotism, calling on leaders to prioritize the continent’s interests: “love for Africa, our motherland.”
To ensure fair and credible internal elections, Museveni also directed NRM district chairpersons to remain impartial during the primaries. “Let the people elect the people they want,” he said.
NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, praised Museveni for responding to widespread calls from Ugandans urging him to run again.
“Many Ugandans from across the country had started to petition my office requesting the president to stand again,” Todwong said.
He reported progress in organizing party structures, saying, “I report to you that the party is growing. As of the last registration of members, the party grew to twenty million members. As we grow in numbers and strength, cohesion is very key for the party going forward.”
Dr. Tanga Odoi thanked the president for respecting the Commission by personally picking up the nomination forms and announced that Museveni will return for formal nomination on Saturday, July 5.
The occasion drew top NRM leaders including Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), ministers, MPs, and other senior officials.
