Same script, casting role for Museveni as NRM maintains top leadership status quo going into 2026 elections

President Yoweri Museveni formally accepted his unopposed endorsement as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flagbearer for the 2026 general elections and as National Chairman of the ruling party for the 2025-2031 term.

The announcement was made on Wednesday during the first meeting of the fifth NRM National Conference held at the Kololo Independence Grounds, attended by more than 23,000 delegates from across the country.

Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, the President expressed profound gratitude to the party and its structures for the renewed trust.“I thank you for entrusting me to be your Chairman of the NRM for the period 2025–2031. Thank you so much,” President Museveni told the expansive gathering.

He added, “Thank you for electing me as your flag bearer for the presidential contest for the position of President of Uganda for 2026–2031. I will not let you down. We have got more capacity now than ever before.”

The endorsement came unopposed, with NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong informing delegates that the party’s top organs, including the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and the National Executive Council (NEC), had unanimously backed President Museveni as the sole presidential flag bearer.

This was further solidified by the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, who officially declared President Museveni unopposed for both the NRM National Chairperson and Presidential flag bearer positions.

President Museveni also lauded the dedication of NRM members nationwide, as well as the CEC, NEC, and National Conference delegates, for their unwavering support for his continued leadership.

In a related development, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo was also re-elected unopposed as the First National Vice Chairperson of the NRM. President Museveni congratulated Kigongo, describing him as a “senior cadre of the NRM who has served the party since 1980.”

The President further extended congratulations to other newly elected leaders for various NRM party positions, but offered a crucial piece of advice. “Be the leaders who solve the solvable problems, and the people will love you,” Museveni cautioned.

“But don’t carry the population on your head. Lead them by using government resources, not your own money. This is where corruption comes about, by trying to fund everything, yet you don’t even have enough money.”

The conference, held over several days, marked a pivotal moment in Uganda’s political calendar, effectively setting the stage for the upcoming 2026 general elections and solidifying the NRM’s leadership structure for the next five years under President Museveni’s continued guidance.