President Yoweri Museveni has said that politics is not defined by age, but by the commitment to serve people and confront national challenges such as corruption, fraud, and criminality.
He made the remarks after returning his nomination forms for the positions of National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the party’s Presidential Flag Bearer ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986 after a protracted guerrilla struggle, is seeking to extend his leadership following four decades of service.
“If our generation had had a jobist mentality, Uganda would never have been rescued. All of us — Kategaya, Rwaheeru, Mwesigwa-Black, Mwesiga Martin, Ruzindana, Birihanze, Dennis Echou, myself, etc., had well-paying government jobs. But out of conviction, we left those jobs to fight for the salvation of Uganda. Where would Uganda be if we had not done that?” Museveni said.
He urged the younger generation to embrace principled political leadership, stressing that while they may no longer need to take up arms, they must volunteer to defend the legitimate interests of the people — particularly against corruption, fraud, crime, and land evictions.
Following the return of his nomination forms, Museveni thanked the NRM Electoral Commission for nominating him.
“I hope the entire NRM membership and its structures will support my candidature as the NRM Chairman for 2025–2031 and as the party’s Presidential Flag Bearer for the 2026–2031 term,” he said.
He also congratulated newly elected leaders within the NRM structures, from the village level upwards.
“It is very encouraging to see many young people emerging as the new generation of NRM leaders. This is your opportunity to prove that you can lead effectively. To succeed in politics, as we your predecessors have done, you must understand that productive politics is grounded in ideology — not biology (age, gender) or careerism,” he emphasized.
Looking ahead, President Museveni outlined his priorities for the next term: maintaining peace, driving development, creating jobs, promoting wealth creation, improving service delivery, and expanding markets for locally made products.
