The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) has directed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to offer himself as a candidate in the 2026 presidential election, citing his record in office and ongoing development programmes.
The call was made on Wednesday during the relaunch of the ONC at Kyambogo by the Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of the office and coordinator of the Bazzukulu movement, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye.
Hajjat Namyalo said the decision followed consultations among youth aligned under the “Bazzukulu ba Museveni” platform, who reviewed the President’s achievements since 1986 and assessed his plans.
“We came to this conclusion after looking back at what he has achieved since he came to power in 1986 and also the plans he has ahead for us as his Bazzukulu,” she said.
At the event, the office also unveiled a campaign dubbed “Omalako Jjajja Tova ku Main”, aimed at rallying support for President Museveni’s continued leadership.
Development Agenda
Hajjat Namyalo said several flagship national projects, including the oil and gas sector, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and Emyooga, are part of the president’s long-term strategy to transform household incomes and elevate Uganda to middle-income status.
She noted that many young people have already secured employment in oil-related fields and other emerging sectors.
In a separate statement, she criticised what she termed opportunistic elements opposed to the country’s economic direction, arguing that such individuals do not reflect the broader aspirations of Uganda’s youth.
Support from Leaders
Former Nakawa Resident City Commissioner and NRM Women’s Council leader, Hajjat Farida Kibowa, said President Museveni’s continued leadership would consolidate gains made in women’s emancipation.
“Before President Museveni came into power, we were underprivileged and his continued stay will assist our emancipation,” she said.
Presidential advisor Tamale Mirundi told attendees that in his view, the President remains the most experienced leader capable of steering the country forward.
“He so far has no replacement. Among all the contenders, there is no one with the experience required. After all, there are no term limits,” Mr Mirundi said.
He added that internal divisions within political ranks, rather than opposition forces, pose a greater challenge.
“The problem is infighting. The opposition is too weak to be regarded as a threat. The problem is within,” he said.
The function at the Kyambogo-based NRM offices was attended by party mobilisers, market vendors, student leaders and other supporters. Ms Namyalo also announced a new team to steer ONC activities, saying it would focus on ensuring implementation of government policies and strengthening grassroots mobilisation.
The endorsement by the ONC follows similar declarations by youth groups in Bushenyi and the Buganda Central region backing President Museveni’s anticipated 2026 bid.
Why Museveni?
Only enemies of development would want Jjaja Museveni not to stand again for the presidency. We can look at the most recent example, where bootlickers of the former colonial masters supported efforts by the European Union to stop the East African Crude Oil Pipeline based on irrelevant claims.
Why would you want to drop such a leader with a big vision for Uganda and choose someone else who has no blueprint for what he wants to do for the country?
Under Jjaja Museveni, all sectors have grown by leaps and bounds. The list is endless: education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, ICT, transport, to name but a few.
Uganda has come from afar with two coups written on the wall – Iddi Amin toppling Milton Obote and, in 1985, Tito Okello Lutwa being toppled.
We are not ready to go through the history that we have been told by our parents and grandparents.
President Museveni came in after the 1980-1986 liberation war and redeemed this nation after years of turmoil.
He opened political space to allow multiparty politics where the voters decide who should lead them. Our dear Jjaja has repeatedly defeated opposition candidates because of the tremendous support from us, the bazukulu. And we are saying we are ready to support him again in 2026.
Most recently, the International Monetary Fund predicted that Uganda’s economy will grow by more than 5%. All this is because our jjaja has put in place policies that favour the growth of the private sector by ensuring many citizens shift from subsistence to a money economy.
Many of us, Bazukkulu, are what we are because of your economic empowerment programmes like the youth livelihood, Emyooga and the Parish development model.
Finally, we would like to warn all those who have been attacking Bazzukulu that the strong arm of the law will come after you. We are law-abiding citizens, and we deserve all our rights. Let us support our candidates without turning violent against one another because we are all bazukulu.
