NRM Endorses Museveni as Flag Bearer for 2026–2031 Elections

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has officially handed its party flag to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to lead the party’s campaign for another term of office, 2026–2031.

The flag was presented to President Museveni by NRM First National Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Moses Kigongo, who urged the electorate to rally behind what he described as the best choice for Uganda’s continuity.

The handover took place today at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds during President Museveni’s maiden campaign rally, shortly after his nomination by the Electoral Commission to contest in the 2026 general elections. He was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni.

Alhaji Kigongo also called on NRM supporters to shun independent candidates who emerged after losing in the party primaries.

Addressing the rally, President Museveni, the NRM presidential flag bearer for 2026–2031, said his next term will focus on fully integrating the remaining 32% of Ugandans into the money economy. He noted that this will mark the “last mile” in wealth creation at household level, building on socio-economic empowerment schemes already in place.

The President cited progress made under the NRM government, highlighting a reduction in households outside the money economy from 68% to 32% in the last 12 years. He also thanked his nominators, seconder, and the NRM fraternity for supporting his candidature.

Candidate Museveni cautioned voters against “liars” who he said seek to undermine Uganda’s achievements through inexperience in leadership.

He further outlined new funding initiatives planned for his next term, including a special fund for jobless graduates, and new allocations to cultural and religious leaders to support income-generating projects. Additional initiatives include Shs 15 million for leaders’ SACCOs at every parish, a support fund for fishermen, and continued funding under the Parish Development Model (PDM), among others. He stressed that the goal is to ensure no one is left behind in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

Museveni also urged disgruntled NRM members considering independent candidacies to reconsider, advising them to seek redress through the party’s internal appeals structures. He expressed confidence that NRM’s 18.5 million voters will not side with independents.

NRM Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, pledged full support for President Museveni and all NRM candidates in the 2026 general elections.

Prime Minister emeritus Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, who nominated Museveni to the Electoral Commission, described him as a transformative leader with Uganda and Africa at heart. He credited Museveni with steering the country from instability to stability, disunity to unity, and making Uganda an “island of peace” in the region. He cautioned voters against electing what he called political novices who might plunge the country into anarchy.

Meanwhile, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong said President Museveni’s candidature was “demand-driven” by the party’s vast support base.