Museveni pays Shs 40m for NRM presidential flag

President Yoweri Museveni has paid Shs 40 million to express interest in retaining his positions as National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairperson and presidential flag bearer ahead of the 2026 general elections.

NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, confirmed on Thursday that Museveni had already deposited Shs 20 million for each of the two positions and will officially declare his intentions at the party headquarters on Saturday.

In anticipation of Museveni’s visit, the Electoral Commission has adjusted its schedule. All activities and nominations on Friday, June 27, will conclude by 2:00 pm to allow for preparations.

Dr Odoi also announced the opening of the expression of interest window for positions on the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the NRM’s top decision-making body. The nomination process for CEC aspirants closes on July 4, 2025, the same day Museveni is expected to complete his formal expression of interest.

Access to the event will be limited to invited journalists, newly elected district NRM chairpersons, and current CEC members. The endorsement of Museveni’s continued leadership is not new.

In March 2019, during the NRM parliamentary caucus retreat in Kyankwanzi, MPs unanimously backed a motion by Evelyn Anite, minister of state for Investment, to maintain Museveni as the sole presidential candidate. The CEC later echoed this endorsement during a retreat at Chobe Safari Lodge, confirming him as the unopposed flag bearer for the 2021 elections and beyond.

Last week, drama unfolded at the NRM Electoral Commission offices when Julius Tumuhimbise, 36, from Bushenyi, attempted to pick nomination forms to challenge Museveni for the party’s presidential flag bearer slot.

He was turned away, with officials insisting the process for presidential nominations was not yet open. Tumuhimbise insisted he had the right as a party member to contest. Apart from the Shs 20 million required from presidential and chairperson contenders, aspirants for 1st and 2nd national vice chairperson roles are expected to pay Shs 10 million.

Regional vice chairpersons (Eastern, Northern, Western, Central, Karamoja, and Kampala) pay Shs 5 million, while leaders of party leagues, such as the NRM Youth League, pay Shs 1 million.

According to the Commission, the CEC nominations have attracted overwhelming interest, with over 60 individuals collecting forms on the first day. Meanwhile, nominations for NRM parliamentary flag bearers are ongoing and will close on June 30, 2025. The party’s primary elections are scheduled for July 16, 2025