By BMAs Uganda gears up for its 2026 presidential election, the political landscape is charged with tension, uncertainty, and mounting anticipation.President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the East African nation for nearly four decades, faces renewed challenges from a fragmented but determined opposition eager to wrestle power from his long-standing grip.The National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu better known as Bobi Wine has formally entered the race, signaling what many expect to be one of the most fiercely contested elections in Uganda’s recent history.On Monday, a delegation from NUP, headed by Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and Secretary General David Lewis Lubongoya, picked up nomination forms for Bobi Wine at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala’s Industrial Area.This move marks the official start of Bobi Wine’s bid to unseat Museveni, a political showdown that promises to electrify the nation’s political discourse.Speaking to the press at EC offices in Industrial Area, NUP leaders criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) for its perceived silence in the face of growing intimidation and harassment of opposition supporters by state security forces.Allegations of abductions and violent clampdowns have heightened fears about the fairness of the upcoming election.“As the body mandated to oversee free and fair elections, the Commission cannot afford to be a mere spectator while democratic rights are trampled,” said Ssenyonyi.He urged the EC to hold all actors, including security agencies, accountable and to safeguard the rights of all Ugandans.NUP is championing a “protest vote” strategy, calling on Ugandans not only to participate in the election but to vigilantly guard their votes and defend their choices at the ballot box.This strategy underscores the party’s determination to mobilize mass support and push for political change after years of what many opposition supporters describe as political repression.Opposition Forces RallyThe National Unity Platform is not alone in contesting Museveni’s dominance.The Democratic Party (DP) also confirmed its intent to field a presidential candidate.DP Secretary General Gerald Siranda announced that party president Norbert Mao will run in the 2026 polls, with a campaign centered on dialogue, peace, and a democratic transition of power.The entry of Mao, a respected figure known for his diplomatic approach, adds weight to the opposition coalition.His emphasis on peaceful dialogue aims to address the deep political divides that have plagued Uganda, raising hopes among many for a less turbulent electoral season.However, not all opposition parties are contesting this election. The newly formed People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) recently announced its withdrawal from the presidential race after failing to secure a strong candidate.Initially, the party sought to rally behind veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Besigye, a former Museveni ally turned fiercest critic, remains imprisoned and has publicly stated his decision to retire from elective politics.The PFF also approached Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to run as its flag bearer, but Lukwago declined, opting to focus on his mayoral responsibilities. Speaking on local radio, PFF spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda confirmed that the party would not field a presidential candidate, signaling challenges opposition groups face in uniting behind a common contender.The Ruling Party’s Campaign BeginsMeanwhile, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) remains confident as it prepares for another electoral battle.Party officials, led by First National Vice Chairperson Al Hajj Moses Kigongo and Secretary General Richard Todwong, formally collected nomination forms for President Museveni.Todwong declared that the NRM is united behind Museveni’s bid for re-election, highlighting plans to launch a manifesto aimed at delivering “innovative and practical solutions” to Uganda’s pressing challenges.The manifesto will reportedly focus on accelerating economic growth, improving public services, and consolidating national security key issues for many Ugandans.NRM supporters tout Museveni’s decades of experience and leadership, arguing that his stewardship has brought relative stability and development to Uganda.However, critics accuse the president of stifling political dissent and hindering democratic progress.Electoral Commission and Procedural TensionsAs political players gear up for the race, the Electoral Commission continues to enforce strict election regulations.Nearly 180 aspirants have picked up nomination forms, signaling a crowded field.Yet tensions surfaced recently when independent presidential hopeful Moses Mugisha attempted to submit endorsement signatures prematurely.The EC rejected the submission, citing rules that mandate signature collection and submission only within a specified window, two weeks before the formal nomination dates set for September 23–24.Mugisha expressed concern over the security of his collected signatures, highlighting an increasingly insecure political environment.EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi reaffirmed that while candidates are free to collect endorsements at any time, official submissions will only be accepted during the legal timeframe.The Road AheadUnder EC guidelines, every presidential aspirant must pay a nomination fee of UGX 20 million and collect at least 9,800 endorsement signatures from at least 98 districts across Uganda within one month.Only those meeting these criteria will proceed to the formal nomination stage.The upcoming election season is shaping up to be one of Uganda’s most contentious and closely monitored political events.The nation stands at a crossroads will Museveni’s nearly 40-year reign continue, or will the energized opposition forces led by Bobi Wine and others usher in a new era?As the campaign season intensifies, the eyes of Uganda and much of the world will be watching closely to see whether the country’s democratic institutions can withstand the pressures and whether Ugandans will have a truly free choice in 2026. 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