By KT Reporter
In the next five years, if President Yoweri Museveni is re-elected, university graduates who fail to get jobs will be given startup capital so that they can start their own businesses, according to his plans.
Speaking at his Nomination Day Rally at Kololo Independence Grounds, Museveni said this is an idea that he conceived years back to but it was shelved.
He told cheering crowds that this time, his government is going to implement it so that any graduate who spends two years without a job will be able to get capital from the fund.
Another new Fund will be for fishermen, who, he said, could not adequately benefit from the Parish Development Model (PDM)
This, he said, would be in addition to the ongoing wealth creation programmes, including the PDM, which he said would see an additional 15 million Shillings purposely to cater for the leaders in the parish.
Museveni also reiterated his government’s commitment to fighting against corruption, including theft of medicines in health centres. He challenged NRM leaders to ensure government agencies, including the police, do their work, or they will be held responsible.
The rally was attended by top NRM leaders, including First Deputy Prime Minister, Gen Moses Ali, National Vice Chairman, Moses Kigongo, and Second National Vice Chairperson, Anita Among.
Museveni was nominated by Vurra County Parliamentary Aspirant, Charity Lenia and former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, who praised Museveni’s leadership, especially in matters of security and economic progress.
Lenia, also a former Vice Guild President at Makerere University Business School, urged young persons to avoid the politics that divide them along tribal, religious and other identities but work for their and national development.
Lenia, who is also the NRM MP flag bearer for Vura County in Arua District, appealed to the members of the party to ensure that they consolidate and protect the gains made by the party by electing the President.
Dr Rugunda told the crowd that he had known President Museveni since they were students, through the several “wars to liberate the country from dictatorship”, to stabilising the country, as some of the reasons for his nomination.
Rugunda drew attention to Uganda’s improved healthcare system, linking it to a sharp decline in child mortality rates over the past four decades. When the NRM took power in 1986, we used to bury over 120 children every day.
Today, that number has dropped to about 25, a direct result of enhanced health services and well-executed national programs, according to Dr Rugunda.
The Patriotic League of Uganda, which is led by Museveni’s son and Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, pledged its full support for the candidature of Museveni.
In the formative years of the pseudo pro-youth pressure group seemed to be a breakaway faction of the NRM, with thoughts that its leader, Gen Kainerugaba, was planning to contest for the presidency of the country.
This was apparently dropped when Museveni appointed several of the group’s leaders to different ministerial and other positions, while Kainerugaba was named CDF.
National Vice Chairman, Michael Nuwagira (Toyota), said they would be campaigning for Museveni’s bid to win the presidency.
Following the official nomination of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections, the party’s National Vice Chairperson, Moses Kigongo, appreciated Museveni and highlighted Uganda’s journey of transformation under NRM leadership.
We are now proud of a country that is united and strong. The transformation we have witnessed did not happen by accident — it has come through consistent leadership and deliberate investment in our people,” he said. The transformation we have witnessed did not happen by accident it has come through consistent leadership and deliberate investment in our people,” he said.
Through media programs and public engagement, we have educated, united, and mobilised our people. We are now one — a nation with faith in its future,” he said.
Kigongo concluded with a call to action, urging NRM leaders and supporters across the country to continue mobilising communities in support of President Museveni’s re-election.
Before handing over the NRM Flag to Museveni, thereby confirming him as the Party’s flag bearer in the coming elections, Kigongo warned losers in the NRM party primary election and other members against contesting as independent candidates, saying they would rather quit the party.
National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Richard Todwong called on Ugandans to rally behind President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling party’s continued vision for national development, peace, and unity.
Todwong commended supporters for turning up in large numbers, describing their presence as a strong signal of confidence in the party’s leadership. “We are building a strong and united country,” Todwong told the crowd. “The progress we have made over the years must be protected by all Ugandans, regardless of political affiliation.”
Todwong emphasised that the gains Uganda has made under the NRM — particularly in infrastructure, security, and economic development form a foundation the party intends to build on in the next political term.
He further announced that the NRM will officially launch its campaign manifesto on September 29, outlining key policy priorities and commitments ahead of the upcoming general elections.
“Our manifesto will present the promises we are making to Ugandans — a vision rooted in our social values, our past achievements, and the goals we set for the future,” he said.
While acknowledging the nomination of other presidential aspirants across the country, Todwong reaffirmed the NRM’s readiness for the campaign season and expressed confidence in President Museveni’s continued leadership. “Our appeal is not just to NRM supporters.
This is a national cause. The leadership of President Museveni has shaped modern Uganda, and we believe he remains the most capable leader to steer the country forward,” he said.
Today’s rally marks the official beginning of NRM’s campaign activities following the nomination, and more engagements are expected in the coming weeks as the party moves to consolidate its support base.
Todwong also appreciated Ugandans for their continued support and called for peaceful, issue-based campaigns across all political groups. “We must maintain our focus and protect the unity that holds us together as a nation,” he said. “Let us campaign with respect, with patriotism, and with the understanding that Uganda comes first.”, said Todwong.
He also appealed to all those who contested for the NRM Flag for various positions to join those who won, for the unity and continuity of the party.
Speaking on the nomination of Museveni, Todwong said that Museveni’s decision to stand for another five years was demanded by party members.
The Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, who is the newly elected Second Vice Chairperson NRM (Female), promised to mobilise and make sure that Museveni secures 80 percent victory in the coming elections.
Museveni is contesting under the theme “Protecting the Gains, as We Make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle Income Status.” President Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, is seeking another term in office under the NRM banner.
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