Candidates intensify campaigns as January 13 deadline nears

4 January 2026, 10:54 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The eight presidential candidates, Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party (NPP), Frank Bulira of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP), Elton Mabirizi of the Conservative Party (CP), Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party (CMP), and Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), are making final preparations for their campaign rallies ahead of the official closure of campaigns on 13 January.

Against this background, the presidential candidates have intensified their efforts to mobilise voters across different parts of the country.

While holding his final rallies in Mukono District, particularly in Buikwe, the NRM flag bearer, Yoweri Museveni, on Tuesday addressed concerns about wages. He clarified that the implementation of a minimum wage would only take place after the government completes the necessary groundwork.

“The issue of the minimum wage will be handled when we are ready. We support it, but we do not want investors to make losses because they will leave. We first secured peace and opened markets such as the East African Community so that investors can produce and sell. Introducing a minimum wage before fixing production costs would harm businesses and jobs. Our focus is to lower the cost of electricity, improve transport through the railway, and reduce bank interest rates so that wages can rise sustainably. As with guerrilla strategy, timing matters,” Museveni said.

Museveni also addressed land issues, particularly those related to Mailo land, and directed the Attorney General to publicly clarify people’s rights in order to prevent confusion and exploitation.

Similarly, the FDC presidential candidate, Nandala Mafabi, while campaigning in Kabarole and Fort Portal, responded to concerns about unemployment. He said that since people are willing to work, the solution lies in fixing the economy through investment in education, support for businesses, and strengthening local industries.

Meanwhile, other presidential candidates continued to explain to Ugandans why they should vote for them. The NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, while addressing supporters in Bududa, encouraged them not only to attend rallies in large numbers but also to turn up and vote on 15 January 2026.

“I urge you to go and vote on 15 January and vote for change,” Kyagulanyi said, emphasising that voting is the key way citizens can contribute to a peaceful transition.

However, as some leaders have encouraged supporters to remain at polling stations after voting, the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, warned that this would not be allowed. Speaking during a meeting with members of the Inter-Religious Council, Byabakama said that accredited personnel would be sufficient to handle activities at polling stations. His position was supported by Christopher Kyobe, an NGO leader in Buikwe District.