Why NRM's Museveni has postponed Kole, Lira campaigns

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After temporarily easing off the campaign trail this weekend, National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni was initially scheduled to get back on the trail on Monday with rallies in the districts of Kole and Lira and Lira city.

However, there has been a change of plans.

The ruling party said on Saturday that its candidate in the 2026 presidential race has state engagements to attend to, thus necessitating the reforms in his campaign schedule.

That means the campaigns in Kole and Lira have been postponed, and a new date will be communicated, NRM secretary general Richard Todwong told reporters.

NRM's Yoweri Museveni has so far campaigned in Luwero district and Lango sub-region

"However, for Oyam on Tuesday, we are on. We shall be there in the morning and then in Pakwach district in the afternoon."

Although it is a busy campaign season ahead of the 2026 general elections, government business has to continue.

"Our national chairman is both a presidential candidate and the President of the country. He had a prior engagement on Monday that he must attend to, but he will resume his campaigns on Tuesday," said Todwong.

Museveni is seeking re-election in a presidential race featuring seven other candidates, three of whom have contested before, while four are first-timers.

His challengers are;

▪️ 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 incumbent, Museveni, started off his week by launching the NRM manifesto for the 2026-2031 term in Munyonyo, Kampala, on Monday.

He then proceeded to Luwero, where he launched his presidential campaign to kick start his quest of "protecting the NRM gains".

Thereafter, the NRM frontrunner proceeded to the north, specifically in Lango sub-region, where he has campaigned — as per schedule — in Amolatar, Dokolo, Alebtong, Otuke, Apac and Kwania districts.

It's not yet known when he will campaign in Kole and Lira, but on Tuesday, he will be in Oyam and Pakwach.

After Lango, Museveni will take his campaigns to West Nile sub-region.

Museveni has repeatedly said that the NRM is not just about fighters. "We are also peacemakers. We have tackled significant issues, including the challenges of fees in UPE and USE schools, the misuse and theft of drugs in government health centres, and land problems," he has said on the campaign trail.

Meanwhile, Todwong said the NRM campaigns have gone on well thus far and described the support as “massive and exciting”.

According to him, the district chairpersons are leading task forces in their areas, supported by sub-county, parish and village leaders at the grassroots.