Museveni cruises to nomination
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is among just three presidential aspirants officially cleared by the Electoral Commission (EC) for nomination. The others are Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the FDC and singer Stecia Mayanja of the Fresh National Peasants Party.
Out of 38 aspirants who submitted nomination forms, only these three presented valid signatures and documents. While the EC requires 98,000 legitimate signatures from at least two-thirds of Uganda’s districts, Museveni submitted a staggering over 2 million signatures from all 146 districts.
Several aspirants are struggling, with the EC notifying 32 candidates that they had not met the signature threshold. Frustrated parties include the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) led by Mugisha Muntu, the National Unity Platform (NUP) of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, and the Ecological Party’s Muhammad Nsereko.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has opted out of the race, deciding to back the NRM due to existing collaborations and an MOU extending beyond 2026. The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) is awaiting the EC’s decision on which aspirant will represent the party after internal disputes over leadership. EC Chairman Fred Ebiru confirmed that the signatures submitted will be used for the candidate eventually chosen.
Museveni cruises to nomination
The NUP over the weekend submitted over 18,000 new signatures to cover invalid ones. Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya said the party requested that their candidate be nominated on Tuesday, but EC spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi said that signature verification is ongoing and no nomination date has been confirmed.
The Ecological Party also faces challenges. Out of 104 districts submitted, only 34 of Nsereko’s were approved, despite submitting additional signatures from 72 more districts. Nsereko remains hopeful for nomination by Wednesday.
ANT’s Mugisha Muntu is still collecting signatures from 50 districts after only 48 were confirmed. Party coordinator Alice Alaso was seen requesting support on social media, though Muntu assured the media that all required signatures would be in place by close of business.
EC officials confirmed that cleared aspirants must travel to their nomination at Lweza, Wakiso, in two vehicles with up to 19 supporters. President Museveni is the only exception, moving with his full security detail.
Following clearance, the NRM is going all out. A massive rally is set for 23rd October at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, starting at 10 a.m. NRM Director of Mobilization Rosemary Sseninde said supporters will accompany the president to Lweza before the main event, which promises food, drinks, and entertainment.
Top Ugandan artists including Jose Chameleone, Bebe Cool, Gravity Omutujju, and Alien Skin will perform.
Museveni’s campaign theme emphasizes middle-income status, poverty reduction, and protecting national gains, promising a mix of leadership and celebration at Kololo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KIssLpgC-s&t=8s
