Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja have been officially nominated to contest in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Tayebwa was nominated as the NRM flag bearer for Ruhinda North Constituency in Mitooma District. Speaking after his nomination, he expressed confidence in a peaceful and transparent electoral process and urged fellow aspirants to conduct issue-based campaigns.
“I promise to run a clean campaign and appeal to all my colleagues across the country to do the same so that we maintain unity after the elections,” Tayebwa said.
He emphasized the importance of unity among leaders, noting that he was nominated by area leaders including Mitooma District Woman MP Juliet Bashiisha and the district’s Deputy Speaker.
Tayebwa pledged to work closely with Cabinet Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Bashiisha, and the District Chairperson to address shared development challenges and improve service delivery.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja was nominated to contest for the Woman Member of Parliament seat for Kakumiro District. She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring peace during the 2026 election period.
Nabbanja is set to face Harriet Tibulihwa Ssali Abwooli, a mobilizer under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a pressure group led by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Tibulihwa picked nomination forms last week but is yet to return them.
During her remarks, Nabbanja highlighted some of the government’s key achievements under the NRM, including expanded access to clean water, improved health services, the construction of new schools, and reduced school dropout rates.
She assured voters of the government’s continued efforts toward development and better welfare for all Ugandans.
The nomination documents were scrutinized and verified by the NRM Legal Department, headed by Enoch Barata, alongside legal experts Anthony Bazira and others. The candidates were officially cleared by NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi.
Security was tight at the NRM headquarters on Kyadondo Road in Kampala, with only authorized persons allowed entry. Roads leading to the premises were cordoned off as hundreds of supporters were barred from accessing the venue.
Other candidates nominated on Monday include Muhammad Muyanja Ssentayi for Bukoto Midwest (Lwengo District), former presidential candidate Rtd. Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde for Rukungiri Municipality, and State Minister in the Office of the Vice President Diana Mutasingwa, who seeks to reclaim the Buikwe District Woman MP seat.
Kobusingye Olivia was also nominated for the National Female Youth MP seat. She is expected to face Diana Ampaire Kampe and Fiona Nakku, who have expressed interest but are yet to return their nomination forms.
The two-week nomination exercise commenced today, with successful candidates set to compete in the party primaries on July 16, 2025, using the lining-up method.
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