President Yoweri Museveni has paid Shs 40 million to express his interest in maintaining his roles as both National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairperson and presidential flag bearer for the 2026 general elections.
NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, confirmed on Thursday that Museveni submitted Shs 20 million for each of the two positions. He is expected to formally announce his intentions at the NRM headquarters this Saturday.
To prepare for Museveni’s visit, the Electoral Commission has modified its schedule, with all activities on Friday, June 27, ending by 2:00 p.m.
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Dr. Odoi also opened the expression of interest period for positions on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), the NRM’s highest decision-making body. The nomination deadline for CEC aspirants is July 4, 2025—the same day Museveni is expected to finalize his application.
Access to the Saturday event will be limited to invited journalists, newly elected district NRM chairpersons, and current CEC members. Museveni’s endorsement by party structures is not unprecedented.
In 2019, the NRM parliamentary caucus unanimously supported a motion by State Minister for Investment Evelyn Anite during a retreat in Kyankwanzi, backing Museveni as the sole party candidate. This was later reaffirmed by the CEC at Chobe Safari Lodge, solidifying his position for the 2021 elections and beyond.
Last week, tension arose at the NRM Electoral Commission offices when Julius Tumuhimbise, 36, from Bushenyi, attempted to pick nomination forms to challenge Museveni for the presidential flag bearer slot. He was turned away, with officials saying the nomination window for that position had not yet opened. Tumuhimbise argued that, as a party member, he had the right to contest.
Nomination fees vary by position: presidential and chairperson aspirants pay Shs 20 million each; those vying for 1st and 2nd national vice chairperson roles pay Shs 10 million; regional vice chairpersons (Eastern, Northern, Western, Central, Karamoja, and Kampala) pay Shs 5 million; and league heads, such as for the NRM Youth League, pay Shs 1 million.
The Commission says interest in CEC positions has been high, with over 60 individuals collecting nomination forms on the first day. Nominations for NRM parliamentary flag bearers are also ongoing and will close on June 30, 2025. The party’s primary elections are set for July 16, 2025.
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