Uganda's 2026 presidential election is a complex affair, with a diverse network of allies and supporters driving President Yoweri Museveni's bid for another term. Here's a breakdown of the key players and their roles in this intricate power play.
The First Lady and the First Daughter:
Janet Museveni: The First Lady, a prominent figure in her own right, has been a constant companion to her husband on the campaign trail. Her role extends beyond being a supportive partner; she serves as the Minister for Education, a position that grants her influence over the country's educational policies and institutions.
Natasha Museveni: A filmmaker and author, Natasha is the daughter who often takes center stage at rallies. Her documentaries, such as '27 Guns', showcase the National Resistance Army's history. As a presidential advisor on cultural and historical projects, she quietly shapes the narrative around her father's legacy, ensuring a consistent and positive public image.
Spiritual and Social Influence:
- Patience Museveni: Another daughter, Patience, wields a different kind of power. As a pastor and founder of the Covenant Nations Church, she is revered as the family's moral compass. Her sermons emphasize national righteousness and Uganda's divine mission, resonating with evangelical networks that the ruling party has been actively courting.
The Political Machinery:
National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat: This is the nerve center of Museveni's campaign. It handles branding, manifesto development, and district mobilization, often working ahead of the president to secure his rallies. The team also maintains patronage networks, crucial for securing support across the country.
Key Figures: Richard Todwong, the secretary general, oversees party structures and is influential in northern Uganda. Another key player is the deputy secretary general, who manages campaign finances and rebuilds the president's standing in Buganda, a region where he suffered losses in 2021.
The Political Kingpin:
- Speaker Anita Among: A prominent figure in eastern Uganda, Among has organized and funded numerous mini-rallies, becoming a political kingpin in the region. She controls a substantial budget and keeps the NRM parliamentary caucus aligned with the president's priorities, managing dissent and convincing opposition legislators to support the ruling party.
The Musical Allies:
Eddy Kenzo: East Africa's first musician to win a BET Award, Kenzo now dedicates his time to the campaign. He leads a team of artists who perform at rallies, keeping the crowds entertained and engaged. Their campaign album praises the president and encourages support for his continued rule.
Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone: These two influential musicians lead a parallel mobilization effort, linked to a prominent businessman. They stage concerts, engage with youth groups, and join the president's rallies, further amplifying the campaign's reach.
The Security Sector:
- Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba: The president's son and army chief, Muhoozi, oversees the entire security sector, including the army, police, and intelligence agencies. His network, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), functions as a parallel mobilization arm, targeting urban centers and youth demographics that have historically leaned towards the opposition.
The Behind-the-Scenes Operator:
- Gen. Salim Saleh: Despite his low public profile, Saleh is a powerful figure in Museveni's reelection machinery. He operates through informal networks, directing financial and logistical decisions, and controlling a significant portion of the campaign budget. From his base in Gulu, he acts as the campaign's fixer in a strategically vital region.
As the campaign unfolds, these diverse players work together to secure Museveni's stay in power, each contributing their unique skills and influence to this intricate political puzzle.
