President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s recent refusal to endorse himself for the 2026 presidential elections has sparked mixed reactions among his supporters and detractors alike.
This move comes as a surprise, considering that the president has been in power since 1986 and has been running for re-election in every subsequent election.
The request for Museveni to endorse himself was made by a group of area leaders and voters in Omoro district. They had prepared a campaign board committing him to contest in the 2026 presidential elections. However, the president declined to sign the endorsement poster, saying that there is a time for everything and that it is important to focus on wealth creation through commercial agriculture at present.
Museveni’s decision not to endorse himself has raised questions about his succession plans. The possibility of his son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba replacing him in 2026 had previously been a topic of discussion, but this speculation has now died down after the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leadership endorsed Museveni to contest again in the next election.
The LC V chairperson of Omoro, Douglas Peter Okello, who spoke on behalf of the voters in the district, noted that they had endorsed Museveni as the sole candidate for the 2026 elections. Okello, who was wearing a yellow NRM T-shirt, added that all voters in the 18 administrative units in the district had reached this decision.
In response, Museveni said that he appreciates their support but does not want to be diverted from the task at hand. He emphasized the need to focus on wealth creation through commercial agriculture, which he believes is the key to eradicating poverty in Uganda.
During his visit to Omoro district, the president also took time to lecture the electorates on the four-acre model of commercial farming, which includes planting an acre of coffee, an acre of fruits, an acre of pasture, and an acre of food. He also talked about other agricultural practices such as poultry farming, piggery, fish farming, and dairy farming.
Later, Museveni visited a farm in Paicho sub-county, Gulu district, and Oding Youth Skilling Hub in Unyama sub-county, Gulu district, where he continued to emphasize the importance of commercial agriculture in creating wealth and eradicating poverty.
Museveni’s refusal to endorse himself for the 2026 elections has been met with mixed reactions. Some see it as a sign of humility and a willingness to listen to the people’s concerns, while others view it as a ploy to maintain his grip on power and ensure that his chosen successor takes over when he eventually steps down.
Whatever the case may be, one thing is clear – Museveni’s focus on commercial agriculture as a means of creating wealth and eradicating poverty is a message that resonates with many Ugandans. Whether or not this translates into electoral success in 2026 remains to be seen.
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