
The two days of Presidential Nomination is now over. The Electoral Commission has now accepted 8 candidates. These are: “On Day 1, the following candidates were duly nominated:
- President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (NRM)
- Kasibante Robert (NPP)
- Mabirizi Joseph (CP)
On Day 2, the following candidates were duly nominated:
- Nandala Mafabi James Nathan (FDC)
- Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera (ANT)
- Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu (NUP)
- Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga (CMP)
- Bulira Frank Kabinga (RPP)” (Electoral Commission, 24.09.2025).
It is really telling that we are here in 2025 ahead of 2026. Everyone can see the game and the candidates tells it all. Just like the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) aren’t even there. Democratic Party doesn’t have a candidate either. We know why the DP doesn’t have one, but the two oldest parties aren’t involved. That’s a compelling picture.
We see that the true opposition candidates are the Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). Those two are the opposition to the regime and the voices who resonate with people.
The one who has the control and continues the charade is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). That’s why the race is manufactured this way. He only has two voices that can bring people against him. The others are just out of folly at this point.
This time we aren’t seeing independents and there is no one from the Farmers Party or the Ecological Party either. There is no women on the ballot. The 8 candidates are really a meagre example of the population. That is significant when about 200 people paid for the nomination papers. Yes, several students had nowhere to go, but others should have a shot. Even the likes of Muhammed Nsereko who has been a Member of Parliament for ages. If the likes of Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga of the Common’s Man Party (CMP) can be nominated, why not Nsereko too? Please, who are you lying to?
Last time Joseph Mabirizi was an independent candidate, this time his returning on the Conservative Party (CP) ticket. This means he has veteran politician Ken Lukyamuzi’s support. Which is ironic when Mubarak Munyagwa has said he wanted to copy his style of politics in the past. That’s when things are getting tricky, but neither of these will be a force to be reckon with.
We know that Robert Kasibante of the National Peasant’s Party (NPP) and Frank Bulira Kabinga of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) are on the ballot, but these two aren’t serious in any concern. Kasibante was an aspiring NRM MP just a hot minute ago. So, we know where his heading. The RPP is even less relevant than People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which was blocked from being on the ballot. So, things are weird in this election. RPP is there, but the EC stopped the UPC from being a part of this shindig.
If you wonder by now, why I haven’t mentioned Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Well, there isn’t much to say. He got the key, and he got to wave to empty streets on his nomination day. Even his predecessor Patrick Oboi Amuriat had more theatrics and more drama, which would have created a little interest around his name. Mafabi on the other hand is as inspiring as dry paper. No one believes him and he should just stop kidding himself.
Trust me this is a race between the NRM and NUP. The NRM is targeting the NUP for a reason. All the authorities and the state is going after the NUP. That’s who the enemy is and who they fear. The state doesn’t fear the rest. They are also trying to jade the ballot with a Robert Kasibante versus a Robert Kyagulanyi. We see the gig and it isn’t even clever. They have logo’s and everyone can spot an umbrella if they want too.
These Presidential Nominations and the ones duly participating tells it all. Mabarizi has grown and smart by becoming the CP candidate, but that won’t salvage much. He should have tried to become an MP for that party. That would have made sense. The same can be said about every candidate for the NPP, ANT, FDC, CMP and the RPP. All of these would be better off doing so.
Yes, Muntu is a figure of respect and of pragmatism. Some even says a President the nation never gets and apparently doesn’t deserve. However, this is a Museveni and Bobi Wine race. The others are just there to look nice and make it seems like people has choices to pick from. When everyone knows the score. This isn’t even funny, but that’s how things are managed. Peace.















