Kampala, Uganda – Uganda’s long-serving President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is set to officially pick nomination forms on Saturday, June 28, 2025, as he seeks to retain his position as the NRM presidential flag bearer, confirmed by the NRM Electoral Commission.
This announcement signals the formal start of Museveni’s bid for re-election in the 2026 General Election, extending a political journey that has spanned nearly four decades and shaped Uganda’s post-independence history.
The NRM’s Electoral Commission, chaired by Dr. Tanga Odoi, made the declaration early today, noting that Museveni, the founding leader of the party will personally collect his nomination forms at the party’s headquarters along Kyadondo Road.
“This is a significant moment in our party’s roadmap,” said Tanga Odoi. “President Museveni remains our most formidable mobilizer, and his nomination reaffirms NRM’s unity and continuity.”
President Museveni’s expected appearance on June 28 comes amid increasing political tension, as both ruling and opposition parties gear up for what analysts predict will be one of the most contested elections in Uganda’s history.
Supporters within the NRM view Museveni’s move as a reaffirmation of stability and experienced leadership, while critics argue that the country is overdue for generational transition.
Either way, the confirmation ends months of speculation and repositions Museveni at the center of Uganda’s political conversation, once again.
According to the announcement, Museveni is not only running for the party’s top presidential slot but will also seek to retain his position as National Chairman of the NRM, a role that gives him sweeping influence over the party’s internal decisions, funding, and grassroots mobilization structure.
“This dual bid consolidates the President’s control over both the political and strategic arms of the party. It makes him nearly unchallenged inside NRM unless a major upset occurs, which is highly unlikely.”
So far, no other high-profile figure has stepped forward to challenge Museveni for the NRM ticket. While murmurs of discontent occasionally emerge within youth wings and regional factions, the party’s top brass has publicly backed the President’s leadership.
Inside NRM circles, Museveni is praised for maintaining Uganda’s stability, economic growth despite recent inflation, and spearheading major infrastructure projects, including oil development and digital connectivity.
With the opposition reorganizing and new political parties like the Democratic Front (DF) and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) entering the scene, the 2026 election is shaping up to be a test of Museveni’s enduring appeal versus rising demands for change among Uganda’s youth.
At 80, Museveni remains a deeply polarizing figure, hailed as a liberator by supporters but criticized by opponents who accuse him of overstaying and shrinking democratic space.
Nonetheless, the act of picking forms this June is expected to ignite a new round of rallies, party endorsements, and national mobilization under the NRM banner.
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