2026 elections: Museveni's team picks forms for his presidential bid

KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni has picked nomination forms for the 2026 General Election, becoming the second presidential candidate from a major political party to do so.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s first national vice-chairperson, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, and secretary general Richard Todwong picked the forms on his behalf from the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday (August 13).

Museveni now joins a crowded field of 95 aspirants who have so far picked the forms in the exercise, which will end on September 24, 2025.

The last contest was a two-horse race between him and musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi from the National Unity Platform party.

Kyagulanyi burst onto the political scene in June 2017 and pushed four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye into the political background.

Museveni, who has led Uganda uninterrupted since January 1986, might now find a different political terrain to navigate.

The new rivals he is expected to face in next year’s election include the Forum for Democratic Change party secretary general, Nandala Mafabi, who is banking on the Bugisu support.

The collection of the forms is being carried out physically at the EC head offices from 8:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays. 

Presidential aspirants also pick supporter forms and nomination guidelines for use in collecting signatures of not less than 100 registered voters from at least 98 districts in Uganda.

The law states that a person aspiring for nomination as a presidential candidate must be a citizen of Uganda by birth and a registered voter aged 18 years or above. They must submit certified copies of educational qualifications confirming that they obtained a minimum of A’ Level education or its equivalent.

EC chairperson Simon Byabakama said last week that the physical collection is intended to allow the EC to identify and document presidential aspirants, and to notify relevant authorities across the country to expect them in the field and offer support as may be necessary.

“An individual intending to collect nomination forms and supporter forms on behalf of a political party/organisation must present written proof of authorisation. This authorisation must be issued by the secretary general of the political party/organisation or a designated official,” the EC boss said.

Likewise, aspirants intending to contest as independents and seeking to collect nomination and supporter forms must present proof of registration as voters.