Ugandans are reminded that the right to run for president is guaranteed by the Constitution, and ultimately it is the people who decide who leads the country.
Haji Faruk Kirunda, the Special Assistant to the President on Press and Mobilisation said that power belongs to citizens, who choose among the many contenders, who will occupy Plot 1 at State House. While not everyone can get into positions of power, the right to try is open to all qualified Ugandans.
Kirunda also noted that it has taken 40 years to fully realise Uganda’s democratic journey, especially after Parliament removed the upper and lower age limits from the Constitution in 2017, a change which confirmed that any Ugandan who meets the legal requirements can aspire for presidency.
The presidency is not for jokers, but every citizen has the right to express interest. Kirunda said claims that minor candidates have been planted to confuse voters should be dismissed, noting the contradiction of people who accuse President Museveni of both stifling competition and creating a “sea of contenders.”
Museveni, represented by NRM Vice Chairperson Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo and Secretary General Richard Todwong, picked nomination papers to seek a new term, ensuring that Ugandans have a clear and familiar choice as other candidates also declare their interest.
Kirunda emphasized that capable leaders emerge naturally and can’t be forced.
Kirunda paid tribute to the late Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut, former Bushenyi legislator and minister, and Joseph Tamale Mirundi, a former presidential press secretary. Memorial services were held at St. Gyaviira Catholic Parish in Bunamwaya, where Kirunda represented the President, noting their dedication to public service.
Kirunda’s message reminds the people of Uganda that their vote on January 12, 2026, will decide who leads the country, bringing to life the proverb that “A nation that plants seeds today will harvest tomorrow,” which signals that the people’s choice will shape Uganda’s future.
