Kampala, Uganda: The Electoral Commission (EC) of Uganda has deferred the nomination of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential flagbearer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, to Wednesday, September 24, 2025, to avoid a schedule clash with incumbent President, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The development was confirmed Monday in a letter EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama addressed to the NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya after the party submitted all required supporter signatures.
“This is to inform you that the National Unity Platform party aspiring candidate is scheduled to be nominated on 24th September, 2025 at 2.00 p.m.,” Mr Byabakama wrote. “Please do take note of the scheduled timeline above and inform the party aspiring candidate accordingly.”
Shortly after receiving the communication from EC, Mr Rubongoya confirmed the development, describing it as ‘fear’ from the commission to reschedule their initially requested date for the NUP presidential candidate’s nomination.
“I’m happy to announce to NUP supporters that we have secured a certificate confirming that our presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has all the signatures. These partisan people feared. They did not want our presidential candidate nominated on the same day as Gen Museveni,” Rubongoya, who is also contesting for Kampala Central MP, said.
According to Rubongoya, the EC letter dated September 22 confirmed Kyagulanyi’s nomination for September 24 at 2:00 pm. He had initially booked September 23 and planned to address two rallies after his nomination.
“You all know that we had planned to address two rallies on that day. The first rally was meant to begin at 12 pm, and another at 4:30 pm. We clearly view this (change of date) as persecution borne out of fear… But what I can assure you is that it will not stop us from going ahead with our plans,” Rubongoya added.
President Museveni, 81, will be nominated on September 23, followed by a major rally at Kololo Independence Grounds as he seeks to extend his stay in State House beyond four decades.