KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was formally nominated Saturday as both the National Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the party’s 2026 presidential flag bearer, vowing to lead the East African nation to an ambitious economic transformation.
Museveni, 80, who has been in power since 1986, accepted the unopposed nomination at the NRM Electoral Commission Headquarters in Kampala. He acknowledged widespread calls for him to continue leading the country.
“I am responding to that call to complete the mission we started — lifting Uganda from a raw-material exporter to a high middle-income country,” Museveni said.
In his nearly hour-long speech, Museveni outlined six key areas for his next term: maintaining peace and security, accelerating infrastructure development, wealth creation, expanding employment opportunities, improving social services, and unlocking regional markets through deeper East African integration.
He noted that under NRM leadership, Uganda’s economy grew from $3.9 billion in 1986 to $61 billion today, moving the country out of Least Developed Country status. However, he stressed the need for “more aggressive reforms” to reach a $500 billion economy “far ahead of 2040.”
“We have done recovery and diversification,” Museveni stated. “But with maximum value addition to all our raw materials and knowledge-based industries, we can leap into the first world.” He cited coffee as an example, noting that raw beans earn Uganda $2.5 per kilogram, while roasted and packaged coffee could fetch $40 per kilogram.
Museveni also cautioned newly elected NRM officials against viewing leadership as a path to personal gain. “My advice to you is to be wealth creators so you do not look at leadership as a job,” he said.
He reaffirmed his long-standing ideological pillars: patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy, urging the youth to base their leadership on principles rather than personal ambition.
“Political leadership is about serving your people and defending their interests against corruption, fraud, criminality, and land evictions,” he emphasized.
Museveni’s nomination was seconded by Alhajj Moses Kigongo, the NRM’s 1st National Vice Chairman, and Tom Butime of the NRA historicals.
The event was attended by First Lady Janet Museveni, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, NRM CEC members, senior NRM leaders and regional mobilizers.
Museveni is expected to be formally nominated by the Uganda Electoral Commission in September ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.
His nomination sets the stage for a robust campaign.
Key points
Maintaining peace and security: A foundational element for stability and development.
Accelerating infrastructure development: Crucial for economic growth and connectivity.
Wealth creation: Aimed at improving livelihoods across the population.
Expanding employment opportunities: To address joblessness, particularly among the youth.
Improving social services: Including education and health, to enhance human capital.
Unlocking regional markets through deeper East African integration: To boost trade and economic cooperation.
