We’re excited about 2026 elections—NUP’s Rubongoya

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As the 2026 general election draws closer, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has expressed optimism about its chances, with party secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya saying the opposition outfit is eager to take on the challenge of unseating the ruling government.

He made the remarks at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala on Monday, August 18, after picking nomination forms for party presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, who is making a second attempt at contesting for the country’s presidency.

“This process has started and all of us are excited to go on the frontline to collect signatures, to go out and campaign and to ensure that our president ultimately gets the victory that the people of Uganda will have given him,” Rubongoya said.

He also said they have come with new energy to continue the struggle for regime change and noted that Kyagulanyi is “definitely the man we have trusted to usher us into a new Uganda”.

Rubongoya’s delegation included the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, and deputy president, Dr Lina Zedriga. They appealed to the country’s security agencies not to interfere with their party activities across the country.

“When campaigns do kick off, we hope that these security fellows who sometimes become overzealous will keep their calm to let everybody go out there and campaign and speak to the people so that people ultimately get to decide who they want to lead them,” Ssenyonyi said.

He added, “We are happy that the Electoral Commission has nicely received us here. Our hope is that they will be neutral referees and blow a whistle when they see players being tackled badly.”

The collection of forms, which will end on September 24, is being carried out physically at the EC head offices from 8:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays.

Presidential aspirants also pick supporter forms and nomination guidelines for use in collecting signatures of not less than 100 registered voters from at least 98 districts in Uganda.

The law states that a person aspiring for nomination as a presidential candidate must be a citizen of Uganda by birth and a registered voter aged 18 years or above.