Ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Omoro District were on Thursday, February 23, 2023, left in shock after President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, who is also the party’s national chairman, refused to sign on a poster endorsing him as the NRM sole candidate for the 2026 presidential election.
Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986 when his National Resistance Army (NRA) captured power after a five-year bush war. At the end of his current five-year term, Museveni will have ruled Uganda for four decades, uninterrupted.
About three years to next presidential poll, the ground for the 2026 is already set. Museveni, officially aged 78, has not yet announced if he will stand for reelection although some of his NRM supporters have asked to stand again. But his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has expressed interest in replacing his father in 2026. (See Details Here).
In Omoro, where Museveni was for his wealth creation campaign tour, the District’s LCV Chairman Douglas Peter Okello Okao moved to tell the president that the district was behind his 2026 bid.
Omoro district Woman MP Catherine Lamwaka and MK Modern Organics and Natural Products director Pascal Osiri supported Okao’s motion. But Museveni declined to sign the 2026 sole candidature endorsement poster. He told Okao and his colleagues that the most urgent task now was to drive as many Ugandans out of poverty.
“I don’t want to be diverted into so many other things – I don’t know what! Okay, thank you very much. There is a problem in Apaa, here, where there no problem, work! Now regarding the elections of 2026, I thank you very much for proposing to support your old man, but let’s handle that at the right time,” said Museveni.
“Let’s cook and then dish the food. We’re still cooking. Don’t bring plates when we’re still cooking. So I thank you very much but let’s concentrate on chasing poverty.”
It should be remembered that Justice Minister Norbert Mao months ago revealed the year Museveni had agreed to peacefully leave power. But Museveni later came out and trashed Minister Mao’s claims. (Read Story Here).
