Presidential Campaigns Intensify as 2026 Election Nears
As the 2026 general election approaches, presidential candidates from major political parties have been actively campaigning across the country this weekend. Each candidate has outlined their key priorities and engaged with supporters in various regions, showcasing their vision for the future of the nation.
National Resistance Movement (NRM)
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the flag bearer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has been on the campaign trail in Buduuda and Namisindwa. He emphasized the party’s achievements over the past 40 years, highlighting peace, stability, and development under NRM leadership.
“Our new manifesto has seven key points summarizing what we have achieved and what we plan to do next,” he said. “The first is peace, which you have witnessed yourselves, followed by development in roads, electricity, water, and the railway. This is what we call economic infrastructure.”
Museveni also focused on investments in social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. He encouraged citizens to evaluate the visible progress in their localities. The President stressed the importance of wealth creation as the next phase of development, mentioning programs like Emyooga, National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS), Operation Wealth Creation, and the Parish Development Model (PDM) as tools to help households increase their incomes.
“When you talk about development without wealth creation, that’s not right,” the President stated. “That’s why we introduced these programs. Where funds are misused, I have directed arrests.”
He further reflected on NRM’s gradual approach to national progress, citing the movement’s long-term focus on peace and stability. “Even our soldiers live modestly because they chose to defend the country first,” he said.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
James Nandala Mafabi, the presidential candidate for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), addressed supporters at the Arrow Square Grounds in Soroti City. His speech was met with a warm reception from enthusiastic supporters who turned up to listen to his campaign message.
Alliance for National Transformation (ANT)
Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, leader of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), condemned recent attacks on National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in Kiruhura District. During a rally at Pajule Trading Centre in Pader District, he urged security agencies to ensure fairness and non-partisanship during the election period.
His convoy was later forced to turn back from Pader due to the poor road network in the area, highlighting infrastructure gaps that he said require urgent government attention.
National Unity Platform (NUP)
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and popularly known as Bobi Wine, drew supporters in Ntungamo District. Supporters lined the streets to welcome him and his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, expressing enthusiasm and hope for change ahead of the 2026 polls.