Uganda's Ruling Party Endorses President Museveni as Presidential Candidate

Strategic Insights -

Uganda's ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has endorsed incumbent President Yoweri Museveni as its presidential candidate for the 2006 general elections. The decision was made by the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC), which also recommended Museveni as the party's chairman. The CEC meeting was attended by over 10,000 NRM delegates who gathered at the national stadium to prepare for the elections. President Museveni is expected to be officially endorsed by the party's supreme body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), on Friday.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has endorsed incumbent President Yoweri Museveni as its presidential candidate for the 2006 general elections.
  • The CEC meeting, attended by over 10,000 NRM delegates, also recommended Museveni as the party's chairman.
  • The party's supreme body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), is expected to endorse Museveni's presidential candidature on Friday.
  • Museveni was elected unopposed for the position of party chairman.
  • Ofwono Opondo, NRM spokesman, stated, "Those who do not want Museveni can go and hang."
  • The CEC meeting also recommended Al-Haji Moses Kigongo as vice-chairman of the NRM.
  • Four positions of vice chairman in charge of central, western, northern, and eastern Uganda were created.
  • Notable figures such as Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, Minister Francis Babu, and Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga are among those vying for the positions of NRM vice chairman.

Statistics:

  • 10,000 NRM delegates attended the CEC meeting.
  • 30 presidential candidates are expected to compete in next year's elections (Source: Kenneth Odedo, Assistant Commissioner for Political Affairs and Governance at the Anti-Corruption Agency).
  • 30 political parties have registered for the elections (Source: Kenneth Odedo, Assistant Commissioner for Political Affairs and Governance at the Anti-Corruption Agency).
  • Uganda's Vice President, Gilbert Bukenya, and Minister Francis Babu are competing for the position of NRM vice chairman for the central region.
  • Moses Ali, the First Deputy Prime Minister, was elected unopposed for NRM vice chairperson for northern Uganda.

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency
  • The New Vision (state-owned newspaper)
  • Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya