President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the flagbearer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), is currently campaigning in Uganda’s West Nile region. His campaign trail in West Nile is a continuation of recent activities in other parts of the country.
Recent campaign activities for President Museveni include:
West Nile region (currently): Museveni began his West Nile campaign tour on October 7, addressing supporters in Pakwach District. He later held rallies in Nebbi and Zombo districts between October 11 and 12, where he promised road repairs and improved social services. The NRM party emphasized stability, development, and wealth creation in its campaign messaging.
Lango sub-region: Earlier in October, Museveni was on the campaign trail in the Lango sub-region, with rallies in districts such as Oyam and Dokolo. During this time, he highlighted his government’s achievements in economic transformation and urged voters to support the NRM in the upcoming elections.
Luweero District: Museveni officially launched his 2026 presidential campaign in Luweero on October 1. He unveiled the NRM manifesto, which focuses on protecting the country’s gains and achieving high middle-income status.
Kampala: In July 2025, the president conducted a five-day wealth creation tour in the five divisions of Kampala.
Looking at the upcoming plans, the NRM has decentralized its campaign structures, with district task forces and youth leaders mobilizing support at the grassroots level. However, the National Youth Council also runs a “Youth for Museveni” campaign to secure youth votes.
Museveni’s campaign trail focuses on consolidating support in traditional NRM strongholds while highlighting ongoing government projects.
While specific details for Robert Kyagulanyi’s (Bobi Wine’s) campaign events in Budaka, Pallisa and Butebo districts are limited, sources confirmed that he was currently campaigning in the eastern region of Uganda, following rallies in other areas like Kassanda and Nakasongola.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) campaign strategy involves traversing the region in the coming weeks. A YouTube channel focused on Kyagulanyi’s campaign confirmed live campaigns in Butebo and Budaka as of October 13, 2025.
Recent stops and developments:
In the Eastern region, reports confirmed Kyagulanyi was recently campaigning in the eastern region, following earlier rallies in areas like Busoga and Kassanda.
Also, in Bugiri, a recent stop was contentious, with Justice Forum (JEEMA) president Asuman Basalirwa accusing Kyagulanyi of becoming “bossy” during his rally there.
While at Mityana, Kyagulanyi also launched his campaign in the Buganda region with rallies.
Kyagulanyi officially launched his 2026 campaign in Jinja on September 29, unveiling his party’s manifesto.
Police arrested at least 29 NUP supporters for allegedly violating traffic laws during his Buganda campaign trail in early October.
Other than Museveni and Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), more presidential candidates were also cleared and nominated for the 2026 presidential election, including seasoned politicians and newcomers.
Notable presidential candidates for 2026
- Nathan Nandala Mafabi (Forum for Democratic Change – FDC):Â Mafabi is the FDC’s new flagbearer after Patrick Oboi Amuriat withdrew from the race in July 2025. In September, after his nomination, he declared that his focus was on fixing Uganda’s economy to alleviate poverty.
- Mugisha Muntu (Alliance for National Transformation – ANT):Â A retired Major General and former army commander, Muntu was cleared to run in late September 2025. He recently launched his manifesto, themed: “A Change You Can Trust,” and is running on a platform of values, integrity, and disciplined leadership.
- Mubarak Munyagwa (Common Man’s Party – CMP):Â The former Kawempe South legislator has been holding rallies in districts like Budaka.
- Elton Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative Party – CP):Â A businessman who ran in 2021, Mabirizi has been cleared for another attempt. A recent meeting he organised for opposition candidates was reportedly boycotted.
- Robert Kasibante (National Peasants Party): Kasibante is also among the candidates who have been nominated by the Electoral Commission. In 2021, he ran for the Busujju County parliamentary seat under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) but was unsuccessful. key pledges of that include, abolishing the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) positions and reducing the number of ministers and members of parliament, providing a monthly stipend of Shs 200,000 to unemployed youth and the elderly, enhancing salaries for public servants, particularly teachers, and last but not least improving social services and crack down on corruption.
- Frank Kabinga (Revolutionary People’s Party): Kabinga was confirmed as a nominee by the Electoral Commission. His campaign focuses on a people-centered, corruption-free approach. He promises implementing a federal governance system, prioritising transparency, accountability, and justice, and also promoting regional economic development, such as tourism in Bunyoro.
Other updates regarding candidate–lineup include:
The Electoral Commission concluded its nominations on September 24, 2025, with eight presidential candidates confirmed. A key difference from previous elections was that no independent candidates or women candidates met the nomination requirements. Patrick Oboi Amuriat (FDC) withdrew from the race in July 2025, in favour of Nathan Nandala Mafabi. Former presidential aspirants including John Katumba, Willy Mayambala and Nancy Kalembe, failed to secure nominations this year.
Democratic Front (DF) leader Mathias Mpuuga announced in September 2025 that his party would not field a presidential candidate and would instead support Museveni.
