NRM Submits 2.2 Million Signatures Endorsing President Museveni as 2026 Flagbearer
Speaking during the handover, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong emphasized that the signatures symbolize more than compliance with electoral law—they represent a groundswell of support for President Museveni’s leadership.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has formally submitted over 2.2 million signatures to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), endorsing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as its presidential flagbearer for the 2026 general elections.
The signatures, gathered from across Uganda, far exceed the legal requirement of 100 signatures from at least 80 districts, demonstrating the party’s extensive mobilization ahead of the campaigns.
Todwong: “Confirmed Votes for the NRM”
Speaking during the handover, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong emphasized that the signatures symbolize more than compliance with electoral law—they represent a groundswell of support for President Museveni’s leadership.
“We are taking more than two million signatures to the National Electoral Commission in fulfilment of one of the requirements for our chairman and flag bearer to be nominated. The more than two million signatures are already confirmed votes for the NRM party,” he said, noting that all names were verified against the national voters’ register.
Todwong linked the achievement to the recent Delegates Conference, where Museveni was unanimously endorsed as the sole party candidate. He said the move signals public trust in the NRM’s governance record.
“We have been transforming Uganda for all these years, and we are continuing with our programs. After nominations, we shall launch our manifesto, and Ugandans will hear all the promises for the new term,” he added.
Reflecting on past performance, Todwong expressed optimism that Museveni would secure an even stronger mandate in 2026. Museveni won with 68.4% in 2016 and 60.7% in 2021.
“In this election, our performance will be much better compared to the previous elections, where the results have varied between 70% and 65%,” Todwong predicted.
Mobilization Praised Across Party Ranks
NRM Vice Chairperson for Kampala Region, Hon. Salim Uhuru, commended party leaders for ensuring widespread publicity of government achievements, particularly in the capital.
“The NRM will overwhelmingly win the general elections because of the support it enjoys among Ugandans, particularly in Kampala,” Uhuru remarked.
“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure a massive victory for the party at all levels.”
Amb. Barbara Nekesa, the NRM National Treasurer, praised the grassroots mobilization efforts that made the record submission possible.
“Our NRM supporters are gathered here today to escort the nomination signatures for our candidate, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. We have collected a total of 2.2 million signatures—over and above the required signatures mandated by law,” she said.
Nekesa further highlighted that the support extended beyond NRM members, citing participation from individuals aligned with other political parties under the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).
“Our candidate has been seconded even by those outside the NRM party. We have a national character in the signatures collected,” she stressed.
According to her, the exercise drew heavily on the party’s lowest structures, starting from village branches, which underscored the people’s ownership of the process.
“Delivering him cannot only be our role as the NRM secretariat. We need to involve the people, and that begins by seconding the candidature of the president. We want our members and the public to own the candidature of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Nekesa noted.
Nomination Set for September 23
The NRM has confirmed that President Museveni will be formally presented to the Independent Electoral Commission for nomination on September 23, 2025.
Accompanying the Secretary General during the handover were senior party officials, including NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi, Deputy National Treasurer Hon. Jacqueline Kyatuheire, Director for Mobilisation Hon. Rosemary Seninde, and Director for Finance and Administration Hajjat Medina Naham Ojale.
The submission of signatures marks a key milestone in the NRM’s preparations for the 2026 elections, with the ruling party positioning Museveni—who has led Uganda since 1986—for another term in office.
