The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has submitted more than 2.2 million signatures to the Electoral Commission endorsing President Yoweri Museveni as the party’s flagbearer in the 2026 general elections.
Speaking at the handover, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong said the signatures far exceed the minimum legal requirement of 100 signatures from at least 80 districts. “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 the names are drawn from the national voters’ register.
Todwong linked the signatures to Museveni’s recent endorsement as the sole candidate by all NRM party structures during the Delegates Conference. He said the support reflects confidence in the party’s record and future: “We have been transforming Uganda for all these years, and we are continuing with our programs. After nominations, we shall have a launch for our manifesto, and you will hear all the promises in the new term.”
In the last two presidential elections, Museveni received 68.4% of the vote in 2016 and 60.7% in 2021. Todwong predicted an even stronger showing in 2026: “In this election, our performance will be much better compared to the previous elections, where the performances have varied between 70% and 65%.”
Hon. Salim Uhuru, the NRM vice chairperson for the Kampala Region, called upon party leaders to publicize NRM achievements.
"The NRM will overwhelmingly win the General elections because of the support it enjoys among Ugandans, particularly in Kampala," he said.
He added that they will leave no stone unturned to ensure a massive victory for the Party at all levels.
Nekesa hails NRM for mobilisation skills
Amb. Barbara Nekesa, the NRM National Treasurer, praised the broad mobilization that delivered the signatures.
“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 number of 2.2 million signatures… over and above the required signatures mandated by the law,” she said.
She added that the support extended beyond NRM members: “We have members of the NRM and also members from the other political parties who are under IPOD. Our candidate has been seconded by even those outside the NRM party. We have a national character in the signatures that have been collected.”
Nekesa further stressed grassroots involvement: “The signatures have been collected right from the lowest position in the party structures, which is the branch at the village level. We are presenting a voice of the people right from the villages, even from districts 800 kilometers away from Kampala.”
She concluded by underscoring 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 people to own the candidate. We want our NRM members and the members of the public to own the candidature of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.”
The ruling Party will present it's Presidential Flagbearer, H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to the Independent Electoral Commission for Nomination on 23rd, September, 2025.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr Tanga Odoi, Deputy National Treasurer Hon. Jacqueline Kyatuheire, Hon. Rosemary Seninde, Director for Mobilisation, and Hajjat Medina Naham Ojale, Director for Finance and Administration among other senior party leaders accompanied the Secretary General.