President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially paid 40 million shillings in expression of interest fees to contest as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for the presidency and to retain his position as party chairperson.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi confirmed on Thursday that President Museveni deposited 20 million shillings for each position and is expected to formally express his interest at the party headquarters on Saturday.
In anticipation of the President’s visit, the Electoral Commission has adjusted its program. All activities and nominations scheduled for Friday June 27 will end by 2 p.m. to allow for preparations.
Dr. Odoi also announced the opening of the expression of interest exercise for positions on the NRM Central Executive Committee, which is the party’s top decision-making body.
He noted that the nomination process for these positions will close on July 4, 2025, which is also the day President Museveni is expected to complete his expression of interest process.
Access to the event will be limited to invited journalists, newly elected NRM district chairpersons, and current members of the Central Executive Committee.
Museveni’s expected candidacy follows a long-standing endorsement by the party.
In March 2019, during a retreat at Kyankwanzi, NRM Members of Parliament passed a motion presented by Evelyn Anite, the State Minister for Investments, endorsing Museveni as the sole candidate for the presidency in the 2021 elections and subsequent ones.
A few days later, the Central Executive Committee during a retreat in Chobe adopted a resolution confirming Museveni as the unopposed flag bearer and party chairperson for the 2021 elections and beyond.
Last week, the NRM Electoral Commission office saw an unexpected incident when a 36-year-old man named Julius Tumuhimbise from Bushenyi turned up requesting to pick nomination forms to run for the presidency on the NRM ticket.
He was turned away by Commission officials, who explained that the process for expressing interest in the presidential position had not yet been opened.
Tumuhimbise insisted that he had every right as a party member to contest for the highest office.
The nomination fees vary according to the positions. Candidates for party chairperson and presidential flag bearer must pay 20 million shillings each.
Aspirants for the positions of first and second national vice chairperson are required to pay 10 million shillings.
Those contesting for regional vice chairperson slots for Eastern, Northern, Western, Central, Karamoja, and Kampala must pay 5 million shillings.
Leaders of the party’s special interest leagues, such as the NRM Youth League, are required to pay 1 million shillings.
The Commission reported being overwhelmed by the high turnout on the first day of nominations for Central Executive Committee positions, with more than 60 individuals picking nomination forms.
Meanwhile, nominations for parliamentary flag bearers are ongoing and will continue until June 30, 2025. The party primaries are set to take place on July 16, 2025.
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