TOP STORY | POLITICS
Supporters Rally Behind Museveni’s 2026 Bid with Over 2 Million Signatures
Thousands of National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters on Thursday marched through the streets of Kampala to the Electoral Commission offices, presenting over 2.2 million signatures endorsing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the party’s flag bearer in the 2026 presidential elections.
The move comes ahead of the official nomination window for presidential candidates, set for September 23 and 24, during which aspirants are required to submit at least 100 signatures from a minimum of 98 out of Uganda’s 146 districts. The NRM’s massive submission far exceeds that threshold, which party leaders say reflects overwhelming public support for Museveni’s continued leadership.
Nationwide Mobilization Through Party Structures
The signature collection was coordinated by district leaders using the NRM’s expansive grassroots network. According to NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, the initiative was executed through the party’s local structures, with district offices mobilizing residents across the country.
NRM Treasurer Barbara Nekesa explained that the party intentionally overshot the signature requirement to avoid any disqualification risks, particularly those that could arise from duplicate submissions.
“Some individuals may have signed for more than one candidate,” Nekesa said, “but by gathering over two million signatures, we’ve ensured full compliance and broad representation in all districts.”
Cross-Party Endorsement and Grassroots Participation
While the bulk of support came from NRM loyalists, Nekesa noted that signatures were also collected from members of other political parties, including those aligned under the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).
“This shows that President Museveni’s appeal is not limited to the NRM. He enjoys backing from citizens across the political spectrum,” she said, adding that the drive reached both urban centres and remote rural areas, some over 800 kilometres from Kampala.
Nekesa emphasized that the campaign was not merely a top-down political strategy but a grassroots-driven movement, giving ordinary citizens a direct role in nominating the President.
“This is a people-powered endorsement. It’s not just about high-level party decisions — it’s about Ugandans taking ownership of their political future,” she stated.
Colourful Procession to Electoral Commission
The march, which began at the NRM Secretariat in Kyadondo, was led by Secretary General Todwong and other senior party figures. It drew a massive crowd of supporters, musicians, youth groups, and entertainers, including admirers of popular artist Alien Skin. Music trucks blasted campaign songs as the procession snaked through the city.
The rally caused significant traffic disruptions, especially around Kyadondo, Fairway, and Jinja Road Roundabout, where streets were temporarily brought to a standstill.
Party officials said the signatures were sorted and verified by district before submission to ease the vetting process by the Electoral Commission.
Youth Wing Launches Parallel Campaign
In a related development, a group of young NRM supporters led by former National Youth MP aspirant Fiona Nakku launched the “Youth for Museveni Movement”, a campaign targeting the mobilization of 13 million votes for President Museveni ahead of the 2026 elections.
“This generation is ready to secure the future under President Museveni’s leadership,” Nakku said during the launch, encouraging more young people to join the effort.
The signature submission and youth-led initiatives mark the strongest early indication that the ruling party is fully mobilized for Museveni’s re-election bid, amid shifting political dynamics and increasing pre-election activity nationwide.
