Uganda’s political stage is heating up as the 2026 presidential campaign officially begins, with both the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and key opposition groups making decisive moves.
August 19 marked a pivotal moment for the NRM, as senior party leaders Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo and Richard Todwong unveiled President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as their official candidate. The release of his campaign portrait signaled the formal launch of his re-election bid, promising continuity, stability, and national development.
Just a day earlier, on August 18, opposition forces sprang into action. The National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Democratic Party (DP) entered the race, with prominent figures like David Lewis Rubongoya and Joel Ssenyonyi (NUP), along with DP leaders, collecting presidential nomination forms from the Electoral Commission.
The NUP campaign is rallying under the slogan “New Uganda Now,” emphasizing democratic reforms and a commitment to safeguarding the electoral process. Party leaders cited previous election irregularities such as raids and theft as motivation for heightened vigilance.
According to the Electoral Commission, interest in the presidency is surging. By late evening on August 19, a total of 177 individuals had picked up nomination forms, reflecting a highly competitive and energized political atmosphere.
As the countdown to January 2026 continues, Uganda braces for a dynamic contest Museveni’s long-standing leadership faces a determined opposition eager to usher in a new chapter for the nation.
