The People Who Have Nominated Museveni Over the Years

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s journey to every general election has always started with one important step: nomination. Over the decades, several prominent Ugandans, friends, and even former rivals have stood on the big stage to present his name. Each nomination tells a story of loyalty, shifting alliances, and the political history of Uganda.

On Tuesday, Museveni was once again nominated to run in the 2026 general election. This time, his name was fronted by former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and seconded by Charity Lenia, the NRM flag bearer for Vurra County in Arua District. Lenia’s role turned heads because she was once elected guild president of Makerere University Business School under the opposition National Unity Platform ticket. Her switch to the ruling party is seen as a sign of how NRM continues to court the youth.

Speaking at the post-nomination rally in Kololo, Dr Rugunda praised Museveni as a committed leader. “I have known President Museveni since we were students. He gave his life to liberate Uganda from dictatorship in 1986 and has brought unity and stability. That is why I ask Ugandans to vote for him again in 2026,” he said.

But Rugunda and Lenia are only the latest names in a long line of people who have nominated Museveni since the early 2000s.

2021 Elections
Museveni’s nomination was once again handled by Dr Rugunda. He was seconded by Gaddafi Nasur, who was then the NRM Youth League chairman, alongside Aminah Nanziri and Hellen Seku.

2016 Elections
The nomination was presented by Dr Rugunda, then Prime Minister, while Evelyn Anite, the State Minister for Youth, acted as seconder.

2011 Elections
In 2011, NRM vice chairperson Moses Kigongo took the honour of nominating Museveni. Alex Onzima, who had just crossed from the opposition FDC to the ruling NRM, seconded the nomination.

2006 Elections
In 2005, ahead of the 2006 polls, then NRM Secretary General Amama Mbabazi nominated Museveni. Years later, Mbabazi fell out with Museveni and even contested against him in 2016 under the Go Forward group. He lost but eventually reconciled and returned as a presidential envoy.

2001 Elections
In the early 2000s, Local Government Minister Bidandi Ssali nominated Museveni. However, their relationship later soured, and Bidandi went on to form the People’s Progressive Party, where he contested unsuccessfully in the 2011 election.

From loyal party leaders like Kigongo and Rugunda to former allies turned rivals like Mbabazi and Bidandi, the list of Museveni’s nominators reveals Uganda’s shifting political tides. Some names have remained steady in their support, while others have broken away, only to return years later.

As Museveni heads into the 2026 election, his nomination by Rugunda and Lenia is more than a formality. It is part of a tradition that shows how each election season writes a new chapter in Uganda’s political story.