President Yoweri Museveni will on Saturday, June 28, 2025, officially begin his bid for a seventh presidential term by picking expression of interest forms from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) headquarters in Kampala.

NRM Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi during a press briefing at the party secretariat on Monday, June 23, 2025, confirmed that President Museveni will pick nomination forms for two positions; NRM national chairperson and presidential flag bearer for the 2026 general elections.

“I want to take this opportunity to notify all party members that the President will himself pick the nomination forms for party chairman and for contesting as the party presidential flag bearer in the 2026 elections,” Odoi said.

If nominated and subsequently elected, Museveni will extend his nearly four-decade rule since first taking power in 1986.

The NRM, under Museveni’s leadership, has long defended its legacy, citing numerous achievements over the past 39 years. These include restoring peace and security after years of civil unrest, spearheading liberal economic reforms that spurred growth, and expanding infrastructure across the country.

The government also introduced Universal Primary and Secondary Education (UPE and USE), rolled out immunization campaigns, and upgraded health facilities.

NRM leaders manifest strides in decentralization, oil sector development, and Uganda’s active role in regional peace and integration, positioning Museveni as a stable and experienced leader.

While Museveni’s leadership has been credited with restoring relative peace after years of civil unrest, critics say the gains are being undone by rising insecurity, shrinking civil liberties, and state-sponsored violence particularly around election periods.

One of Museveni’s expected challengers in 2026 is National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, who ran against him in 2021.

At the time, the Electoral Commission (EC) declared Museveni winner with 58.64% of the vote, compared to Kyagulanyi’s 34.83%.

Museveni, who turns 81 in September, has increasingly leaned on a platform of experience and stability.

Odoi also announced that nominations for other top NRM leadership positions on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) will take place on July 4.