President Yoweri Museveni was endorsed to run for elections in 2026 by Vice President Jessica Alupo, Minister of Internal Affairs Maj Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, and Vincent Sempijja, the Defence Minister.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Major Jessica Alupo, the Vice President of Uganda, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, and the Defence Minister, Vincent Sempijja, are among the leaders in Uganda who endorsed the candidature of President Yoweri Museveni for the 2026 presidential elections.
- The Vice President of Uganda, Major Jessica Alupo, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, and the Minister of Defence, Vincent Sempijja, signed endorsements for President Yoweri Museveni to run for office in 2026.
- Mao explained that he was entrusted by the President with the task of assembling a consensus for transition in Uganda, and he asked the youth to help him achieve this goal.
- Gen Kahinda Otafiire warned the youth to stay away from fighting based on religion or ethnicity, which could destroy what had been achieved by the NRM regime.
- Also at the function, the youth of Mitooma district endorsed President Yoweri Museveni to run for election in 2026, and the Chief Guest VP Alupo, General Otafiire, as well as Cabinet Ministers, including Francis Mwebesa, Vincent Sempija and Parliamentarians, signed endorsements on the board.
- As for uniformity, Vice President Alupo said that the matter would be presented to the NRM Central Executive Committee first.
In Mitooma district, the ministers attended the belated youth day celebrations on Saturday at Bubangizi Secondary School playground under the theme; “Unleashing the potential and role of youth in nation development.”
The president will be 82 years old in 2026. He has been in power since 1986. Earlier this month, Justice Minister Norbert Mao told youths in Mitooma that Museveni had assigned him to organize a consensus for a transition beginning in 2031, perhaps the clearest indication he would run again in 2026.
What Justice Minister Norbert Mao said
In his remarks, Norbert Mao stated that he had been given the mandate to organize a consensus for transition in Uganda, and he asked the young people to assist him with the task that had been given to him by the President.
Norbert Mao, the Justice Minister and three-time presidential candidate said that a new Uganda should start in 2031.
As he described, the transition will occur in three phases, consensus, endorsement, and implementation of what is agreed upon. He hoped a new Uganda would emerge by 2031.
He challenged the youth to realize their value and to look forward, not backward, not to consider where they come from, but ahead, as Uganda will be built on the dreams of young people, so they should set high goals for themselves.
What General Otafiire said
On this occasion, Gen Kahinda Otafiire warned the youth against partisan fights based on religion and ethnicity, which could destroy what the NRM government set in place.
Otafiire stressed the importance of youth not being driven by change, but rather fighting for a positive cause, rejecting negative philosophy and avoiding ethnic and religious wars. In addition to avoiding conflict, he advised them to emulate current leaders.
Statements by Jessica Alupo, vice president
During her remarks, Vice President Jessica Alupo encouraged the youth to have a set ideology as a shield against others, as well as to accept that they are in a transitional stage of their lives.
I joined my friend Maj Gen Kahinda Otafire at Bubangizi Sec school in Kashenshero subcounty- Mitooma district, to commemorate the International Youth Day. I'm proud of all young people whose items were on display. I urge them to continue engaging in productive ventures. pic.twitter.com/Ig5zRCbyRc
— Vice President Jessica Alupo (@jessica_alupo) October 1, 2022
Youth chairperson for Kashenshero sub-county, Damian Turiomuriwe, called on the government to revise, reform, and re-establish the Youth Livelihood Program, incorporating lessons learned and challenges faced.
He noted that the Youth Livelihood Program was halted to facilitate the new Parish Development Model, which does not provide any specific intervention for youth.
Also at this function, the youth of Mitooma district endorsed President Yoweri Museveni for the upcoming general elections in 2026, and the Chief Guest, Vice President Alupo, General Otafiire, Cabinet Ministers, Francis Mwebesa, Vincent Sempiija, and members of Parliament signed on to endorse the president.
Vice-President Alupo, however, said that the matter would be referred first to the NRM Central Executive Committee for uniformity.
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