Kyadondo, Kampala | June 28, 2025 — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially declared his bid to extend his near 40-year rule by picking nomination forms from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) headquarters, signaling his intention to run for a seventh term in the 2026 general elections.Dressed in his trademark yellow shirt, Museveni arrived at the NRM Electoral Commission offices on Kyadondo Road under tight security and amid jubilant supporters chanting party slogans. He was received by senior party officials, legislators, and youth league members as he completed documentation to contest for both the NRM National Chairmanship and the party’s Presidential Flag Bearer slot.> “I’m here to once again serve the people of Uganda under the NRM ticket. Our revolution is not over. We still have work to do to secure Uganda’s future,” Museveni stated.At 80, Museveni is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, having first taken power in 1986 following a five-year guerrilla war. His re-entry into the race has sparked both enthusiastic support and sharp criticism.NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi confirmed that Museveni met all eligibility criteria. The window for picking and returning nomination forms opened on June 26 and will close on July 4, when formal nominations are expected to take place.> “The President’s action today signals continuity and stability,” said Rosemary Seninde, NRM Director for Mobilisation. “He is still the right man to lead this country forward.”Support from the NRM youth and rural bases remains robust, with leaders across regions hailing Museveni’s contributions to national security, infrastructure growth, and regional diplomacy.But opposition voices have expressed disappointment.> “We expected him to groom a successor by now. Uganda needs fresh energy,” said Joel Ssenyonyi, spokesperson for the National Unity Platform (NUP).Critics cite concerns over democratic space, persistent youth unemployment, and the absence of political transition. Yet, Museveni’s formidable grassroots machinery makes him a formidable contender once again.The NRM will hold internal elections following the July 4 nominations. If endorsed as expected, Museveni will likely face opposition heavyweights including Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, in what promises to be a pivotal contest for Uganda’s future.
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