LUBOWA, WAKISO DISTRICT — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially been nominated as a presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections. The nomination ceremony took place today at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Lubowa, Wakiso District, where EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama confirmed that President Museveni had fulfilled all legal and procedural requirements for nomination.
Running under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, President Museveni’s 2026 campaign will be guided by the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.”
Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, as well as senior members of the NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), the President arrived at the EC offices to a strong show of support from party leadership.
Gratitude to Party and Reflections on Progress
In his remarks following the nomination, President Museveni expressed gratitude to NRM members for endorsing him as their flag bearer.
“I want to thank the NRM members for entrusting me and electing me as the NRM flag bearer for the period of 2026–2031,” he said.
Using Lubowa as a symbol of Uganda’s transformation since 1986, President Museveni urged the media and youth to reflect on the country’s progress.
“Get a satellite picture of this area in 1986—it was all coffee shambas. Compare that to what you see today. That transformation speaks volumes,” he said, challenging the NRM media team to document the contrast.
Focus Areas for 2026–2031: Economic Growth and Inclusive Development
The President outlined two primary pillars for his campaign: consolidating Uganda’s economic gains and ensuring inclusive development, especially for communities at the grassroots.
“Uganda’s GDP has doubled from $34 billion to $66 billion. We now have electricity, roads, telephones, educated manpower, and peace. That’s why investors are flooding in—they want a peaceful and profitable place to invest,” Museveni said.
He emphasized that economic transformation must touch the ordinary Ugandan, pledging to focus on:
- Inclusive participation in the money economy
- Free education for children from poor families
- Completion of tarmac and maintenance of murram roads
- Improved health services, particularly curative care
- Access to clean water for all villages
- Strengthening security and eliminating impunity
- Fighting corruption at all levels
Core Sectors Driving Uganda’s Transformation
Highlighting the key sectors for job creation and national development, President Museveni identified four pillars for sustainable livelihoods:
- Commercial agriculture with proper planning (“ekibaaro”)
- Manufacturing and artisanship
- Service industry
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
On land issues, Museveni reaffirmed protection for bibanja tenants, stressing that evictions are illegal under Uganda’s Land Act. “No one is allowed to evict a kibanja owner. If someone tells you to leave land you’ve been using, that’s illegal. The law is clear,” he stated.
Healthcare: Prevention as a National Priority
President Museveni also called for a shift toward preventive healthcare to reduce the burden on the curative system. “Curative health is expensive. If we focus on prevention—immunization, clean water, lifestyle changes, we can eliminate 80% of sicknesses,” he said.
As he concluded, President Museveni reiterated that his candidacy is not simply about holding office, but about completing Uganda’s transformation journey. “Our main work is not just work for its own sake—it is about socio-economic transformation for all Ugandans,” he emphasized
KOLOLO CEREMONIAL GROUNDS – NOMINATION AFTER PARTY
