Uganda electoral commission clears Museveni for 2026 presidential race
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 23, 2025The Electoral Commission of Uganda on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, confirmed the nomination of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as a candidate for the 2026 presidential election.
Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the Returning Officer for Presidential Nominations, declared that Museveni had met all requirements under the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 179.
“President 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. Declaration made by Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, Returning Officer for Presidential Nominations,” the commission posted on X.
Museveni, 81, was the first candidate to be cleared by the commission. His National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has endorsed him once again as its flag bearer. This follows his June announcement, when he picked nomination forms at the NRM headquarters in Kyadondo and confirmed he would seek another term.
The president has been in power since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
When he declared his candidacy earlier this year, Museveni outlined the NRM’s plan to grow Uganda’s economy to Ksh64.6 trillion within five years. He pointed to industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, and investment in health and education as key targets. Speaking after his nomination on Tuesday, he also stressed the need to tackle crime, improve security, and continue the fight against corruption.
Opposition realigns ahead 2026
The 2026 election is shaping up to be another contest between Museveni and Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. The opposition leader, who first ran in 2021, has built a large following among younger Ugandans. His candidacy is expected to be confirmed later.
However, Uganda’s opposition field has already shifted. On September 16, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), led by veteran politician Kizza Besigye, announced it would not present a presidential candidate in 2026. Instead, the party said it would support a joint opposition candidate to avoid splitting votes. Besigye, who has contested against Museveni four times since 2001, remains a central figure in Uganda’s politics.
“In the bid to counter the junta, the PFF shall not field a presidential candidate but will rally behind a joint presidential candidate who will run the FREEDOM CAMPAIGN to counter the military expedition,” the party stated.
PHOTO/@kizzabesigye1/X
The PFF stated that it has set up a 28-member national campaign team, headed by Besigye, to spread its message across the country. While the party did not name which opposition candidate it would support, the withdrawal signals an effort to build unity ahead of the polls.
Besigye and Museveni share a long history. Once close allies during the 1980s bush war, Besigye later broke ranks and became one of Museveni’s strongest critics. His decision not to contest marks a significant change in Uganda’s political landscape, where he has been a familiar name on the ballot for two decades.