It's all systems go as Uganda's presidential campaigns kick off

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And off they go!

Officially starting today (September 29), 106 days of fervent campaigning across the country will have eight candidates — each bearing a flag of a party — vie for Uganda's top job: the presidency. 

A vastly experienced incumbent who pretty much knows his way around this familiar political maze, three challengers who have each been here once before, and four first-timers. It's all systems go. Oh, and for the first since the 1996 election, Uganda is having an all-male presidential race.

This cast features:

▪️ President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (National Resistance Movement - NRM)

▪️ Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (National Unity Platform - NUP)

▪️ Nathan Nandala Mafabi (Forum for Democratic Change - FDC)

▪️ Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu (Alliance for National Transformation - ANT)

▪️ Elton Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative Party - CP)

▪️ Mubarak Munyagwa (Common Man’s Party - CMP)

▪️ Frank Bulira Kabinga (Revolutionary People’s Party - RPP)

▪️ Robert Kasibante (National Peasants Party - NPP)

The above octet will fan out in different parts of the country to try and persuade voters to their respective sides and, more importantly, follow through by casting the ballot in their favour early next year.

The campaigns are getting under way a little under a week after the conclusion of a two-day nomination exercise and subsequent three days of meetings to harmonize the campaign programmes.

By the end of Saturday, all the candidates, through their agents, were in collective agreement of the harmonized campaign schedule, paving the way for what should be a smooth start to what promises to be a hectic three-and-a-half months on the road for all the State House-eyeing camps.

Campaigns start today (September 29) and end on January 12, 2026.

For now, there should be no excuses.

"All candidates have been given a copy of the campaign guidelines that outline how they are expected to conduct themselves," said Julius Mucunguzi (pictured below), the spokesperson of the Electoral Commission in a Sunday (September 28) post on social media platform X.

Mucunguzi said the harmonized campaign programme was "developed, agreed and signed by agents of the eight candidates" after meetings convened by the Electoral Commission at its headquarters in Kampala.

Additionally, all the candidates, through their agents, signed a memorandum of understanding committing  to respecting and abiding by the campaign programme.

Why harmonize the campaign programme?

Simple. To ensure that campaigns are conducted in a "smooth, peaceful, free and fair environment", according to Mucunguzi.

The campaigns are to be conducted from 7am to 6pm.

Only five of the eight candidates will have official activities today, according to the campaign programme.

Incumbent Museveni will start off by launching the NRM manifesto at Speke Resort Munyonyo, before kicking off his campaigns in earnest on Tuesday in Luwero district.

Kyagulanyi and co will also use today to launch the NUP manifesto in Jinja, before proceeding to Buyende and Kamuli districts on Tuesday.

FDC's Mafabi will get under way in Buikwe district.

MP's Munyagwa will get started in Kawempe while Kasibante of NPP will begin his campaigns in Mityana and Kassanda districts.

On some days, a candidate will have already officially indicated their desire to rest or undertake other tasks of their choice.