BY ROSE KASIGWA

As the presidential campaigns in Uganda intensify, candidates are actively articulating their visions for the nation’s future, engaging with the electorate on critical issues ranging from infrastructure development to social justice, within a political environment that is subject to both domestic scrutiny and international attention.

The next general elections in 2026, is a pivotal moment in its five-year electoral cycle as stipulated by the constitution. The upcoming polls will see the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Museveni who is  seeking to extend his tenure   face stiff competition , notably from parties like the National Unity Platform (NUP),The Forum for democratic change (FDC), The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Conservative Party (CP),The common Man’s Party(CMP), The Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) and The National Peasants Party (NPP).

The Electoral Commission of Uganda (EC) is tasked with organizing the elections amidst ongoing debates concerning the fairness of the political playing field, and the role of security forces. Key issues dominating campaigns include economic stability, governance, human rights, among many other issues. we take a look at each presidential candidate campaigns and their different manifestos;

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (NRM)

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (NRM) is a Ugandan politician who has been President of Uganda since January 1986.  He came to power after leading a successful five-year guerrilla war, and his presidency is marked by achievements like economic growth and stability, but also criticism regarding his long tenure and human rights. Born in 1944, President Museveni was politically active from his student days, studied political science and economics at the University of Dar es Salaam, and co-founded the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) during the Idi Amin regime. 

“I am here with the NRM leaders to present to you the NRM manifesto. This manifesto highlights seven major contributions the NRM has made to Uganda since 1986,” he said.

The President said the first contribution of the NRM was peace and stability, which he emphasized, was not easy to achieve.

“That peace you hear people talking about was not easy to bring. We were able to achieve it because we rejected sectarian politics of tribes and religion. When we recruit people into the army, we don’t mind about tribe or religion. That is why we have been able to build strong national institutions like the army, police, and others,” he explained.

He said the second contribution of the NRM has been development, which has two main parts — economic infrastructure such as electricity, roads, and telecommunication, and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.

On education, the President noted his government has built several primary schools and Government secondary schools in each district adding that   Government continues with its efforts to ensure that every parish has at least one primary school and every sub-county has a secondary school.

President Museveni campaign theme is “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into a High Middle Income Status.” The party 1st National Vice Chairman, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, said it captures the dual responsibility of consolidating Uganda’s hard-won progress while preparing the nation for the next phase of transformation.

Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera (ANT)

Commonly referred to as Mugisha Muntu (born October 1958), is a Ugandan politician and retired military officer. He is the current president of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), a political party he founded in March 2019.

He previously served as the president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), an opposition political party, from 2012 to 2017. In September 2018, General Muntu parted ways with the FDC citing ideological differences with the new FDC leadership On 27 September 2018. He served as the Commander of the UPDF Army, the highest position in the Ugandan military, from 1989 to 1998.

On several occasions during his campaign trail in various parts of the country, Mugisha Muntu points out that the  challenges Uganda faces demand leadership that is visionary, ethical, adding that  ANT’s core values, transformation agenda, and policy-driven manifesto make it the political force capable.

He said that ANT’s commitment to core values—transparency, accountability, justice, and inclusivity—positions the party as the key driver of democratic renewal. Through a robust Party Constitution and Transformation Agenda, ANT prioritizes: Strengthening judicial independence and enforcing constitutionalism. Enhancing parliamentary oversight to curb executive overreach.

Muntu also states that Uganda’s economic potential remains untapped, plagued by corruption, unemployment, and an over-reliance on donor aid. ANT’s Party Manifesto lays out a transformative economic agenda that prioritizes: Job creation through industrialization, agro-processing, and digital innovation. Wealth redistribution by eliminating state capture and monopolies. Investment in human capital, ensuring education and healthcare are accessible and effective.

Nandala Mafabi James Nathan (FDC)

 Nathan James Nandala Mafabi, (born 17 January 1966) is a Ugandan accountant, lawyer, politician and legislator who is representing Budadiri West County in Sironko district which is found in the Eastern part of Uganda.

 Nathan Nandala Mafabi has been the leader of the opposition in the Ugandan parliament from the year 2011 to the year 2014.

Nandala stressed that the mission of the Forum for Democratic Change is to work for a socially, economically and politically transformed Uganda where citizens: men, women ,youth and children live a life of dignity, have access to equal opportunity and become masters of their own destiny.

“This mission is rooted in our ideological conviction and belief that leadership is a service and those who are called to serve must do it with humility, dignity and with uttermost respect for individual freedoms” Nandala added.

Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu (NUP)

Commonly known as Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was born on 12 February 1982), he is a Ugandan activist, politician, singer, lawyer and actor. He is a former Member of Parliament for Kyadondo County East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda’s Central Region. He also leads the National Unity Platform political party.

Kyagulanyi said Uganda has endured a turbulent political history defined by unfulfilled promises, corruption, division, and abuse of power.  He narrated, for nearly four decades, the people have been subjected to poverty, injustice, and despair under a regime that has overstayed in power.

He said that the National Unity Platform (NUP) has therefore come forward with its Manifesto as a bold declaration of intent to build A New Uganda Now—a Uganda where every citizen is treated equally, reams are nurtured, and a solid foundation is laid for future generations.

“The Manifesto is not just a document; it is a covenant between us and the 48 million Ugandans yearning for freedom, dignity, and prosperity. Our commitment is clear: we will reset Uganda by restoring democracy, ending corruption.” Kyagulanyi said.

Mabirizi Joseph (CP)

Elton Joseph Mabirizi, an electrical engineer by profession, was duly nominated to run in the 2026 presidential race. He previously contested in the 2016 general elections and is now seeking to make a stronger impact in the upcoming election.

Joseph Mabirizi holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University USA and a Master’s degree in Medical Statistics from University of London UK.  He has worked for UNDP, American Red Cross and USAID. Prior to his masters’ studies, he worked in the field of HIV/AIDS research with the Rakai Health Sciences Project and Uganda Virus Research Institute as a Statistician/Data Analyst. He has 10 years of International experience working in Indonesia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

The Conservative Party (CP),presidential candidate  unveiled a manifesto that places peaceful political transition at the heart of its agenda, pledging to guarantee safety and protection for outgoing presidents as a way to stabilize Uganda’s leadership and end the country’s history of violent successions.

Conservative party presidential candidate, Joseph Mabirizi, said his government would offer a “safe landing” for the incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to assure leaders that they can peacefully hand over power without fear of persecution.

Mabirizi noted that Uganda’s past presidents have endured exile and humiliation after leaving office, a situation he said fuels leaders’ reluctance to step down even when democratically defeated.

“From 1962, Uganda’s past presidents have suffered persecution or exile after leaving office. Such circumstances create fear among leaders and prevent them from planning their exit and willfully handing over power even after being defeated democratically,” Mabirizi said.

He assured Ugandans that the Conservative Party is committed to changing the country’s political narrative by protecting former presidents and allowing them to live safely within Uganda.

Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga (CMP)

 Mubarak Munyagwa is a former Mayor of Kawempe Division and one term Member of Parliament for Kawempe South Constituency in the 10th Parliament in Kampala District.

Munyagwa is currently contesting for presidency of Uganda under Common Man’s Party, formerly the Uganda Economic Party as its Chairman.

The presidential manifesto for Mubarak Munyagwa, the candidate for the Common Man’s Party in Uganda’s 2026 general election, is centered on the core themes of free education, affordable healthcare, and a market-driven approach to farming.

Munyagwa officially launched his party and its manifesto in Katanga, Kawempe, ahead of the election campaigns. The manifesto’s key priorities are: Affordable Healthcare, Committing to improving the accessibility and affordability of health services for all citizens, free Education, Pledging free education in government schools, and Market-Driven Farming, Emphasizing a strategy to support farmers and connect them to markets.

The Common Man’s Party, which was rebranded from the Uganda Economic Party (UEP), uses the symbol of a “single platter of rice where everyone can take a share” to represent its vision of equitable distribution of national resources.

Bulira Frank Kabinga (RPP)

Frank Bulira Kabinga is a Ugandan politician and the presidential candidate for the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) in the 2026 general election. A former secondary school teacher, he was officially nominated by the Electoral Commission in September 2025. Bulira was the eighth and final candidate to be nominated, joining seven others in the contest for the presidency. A veteran politician and leader of the Uganda Federal Democratic Organization (UFDO), Bulira is a strong advocate for federalism and other governance reforms.

Born in 1982 , Bulira was raised in Luweero. He completed his primary education in 1999 at Kasubi Church of Uganda Primary School before attending Mengo Senior School and Old Kampala Secondary School.

He graduated from Kyambogo University in 2005 and later worked as a secondary school teacher. His interest in public service began at a young age and was inspired by his late grandfather, Milton Kabinga, a former National Resistance Army (NRA) soldier. While at university, Bulira served as the national youth spokesperson for the Democratic Party. He took over leadership of the UFDO in 2023 following the death of its founder, Dr Aggrey Kiyingi who was a renowned Ugandan cardiologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Australia.

Speaking at the Electoral Commission headquarters after his nomination to contest for the country’s highest office, Kabinga warned that Uganda’s future cannot be reshaped by speeches alone.

Kabinga cited specific opportunities, such as building Kabalega International Airport in Bunyoro to boost tourism, and ensuring that farmers in Kapchorwa benefit fully from their globally sought-after bananas.

 Kasibante Robert (NPP)

The National Peasants Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Robert Kasibante, a man in his mid 50s built his name running victory school of beauty located in Kampala city center. The school specialized in training learners is skills including braiding hair, cutting hair in different fashions among other hair styles.

Kasibante officially launched his 2026 campaign in Mityana District, calling on residents to support his bid and pledging reforms aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Ugandans.

Kasibante pledged to prioritize economic empowerment, starting with the construction of modern markets to support small businesses and stimulate local trade.

“Our people are hardworking, but they lack proper facilities to do business. My government will build modern markets across the country, beginning here in Mityana, to improve livelihoods and strengthen the local economy,” he said.

Kasibante further pledged stronger ties with international partners to attract investment, trade, and development cooperation.

Regarding social services, he committed to revamping the healthcare system to ensure equitable access to quality medical care. “Health is not a privilege; it is a right. I will ensure hospitals are well-equipped and that every Ugandan can access quality treatment,” he stated.