Nine Political Parties without Presidential Candidates Endorse President Yoweri Museveni, Pledge 3.3 Million Votes Ahead of 2026 Elections

In a dramatic pre-election political move, Stella Birah Nambuya, President of the Deliberate Vote and leader of the Republican Women and Youth Party, announced that a coalition of nine political parties has thrown its weight behind President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the upcoming general elections scheduled for Thursday, 15 January 2026.

The alliance, known as the Deliberate Vote, comprises the Republican Women and Youth Party (RWYP), Activist Party (AP), Congress Service Volunteer Organization (COSEVO), Liberal Democratic Transparency (LDT), Forum for Integrity in Leadership (FIL), People’s Development Party (PDP), Society for Peace and Development (SDP), Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), and the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED).

Nambuya revealed this to journalists at Namugo House in Seeta, Mukono Municipality on Friday that additional parties and independent candidates have also aligned with the coalition, including the UPC, DAF, and other Democratic Party representatives, highlighting what she described as a “politics of reason” in Uganda, moving away from propaganda and mass mobilization toward strategic, solution-driven leadership.

According to Nambuya, the coalition undertook extensive evaluations of all presidential candidates’ manifestos since August. After assessing the eight main contenders, the Deliberate Vote concluded that President Museveni’s manifesto stood out for its clarity and actionable solutions, particularly in addressing the “hustler’s agenda” and guiding a smooth, peaceful political transition.

She claimed that the coalition’s direct engagement with voters through meetings, SMS, video calls, and office consultations rather than mass rallies has already translated into a projected 3.3 million additional votes for President Mzeze nationwide.

Breaking down the figures, Nambuya stated that in Kampala, which has over 1.2 million registered voters, approximately 439,000 are projected to support Museveni under the Deliberate Vote initiative. In Wakiso, out of over 1.15 million registered voters, 280,900 votes are expected for the president.

Mukono, with 355,275 registered voters, is projected to deliver 160,400 votes for Museveni, demonstrating the coalition’s reach even in areas where the president had previously been perceived as weak. Nambuya emphasized that these votes come from party members directly mobilized by the coalition, ensuring transparency and legitimacy.

She also urged Ugandans to go to the polls early on election day, follow proper voting procedures, and cast their ballots for the president, their preferred woman member of parliament, and direct-elected MPs. Nambuya stressed that the Deliberate Vote’s endorsement reflects the collective decision of party members to support a tested and capable leader who can unify the nation, preserve stability, and protect Uganda’s political and economic gains.

The announcement was echoed by Phionah Arinaitwe of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Women League, who hailed the Deliberate Vote initiative as a unifying force for women across party lines.

Arinaitwe urged Ugandan women, particularly those involved in politics and business, to support President Museveni, emphasizing his record in safeguarding national achievements and providing political stability. She described him as the only leader capable of leading Uganda forward, calling on citizens to participate fully in the elections on 15 January.

NRM Secretary for Mobilization Africano Byarugaba reinforced the call for orderly voting, urging citizens to cast their votes efficiently and return home to avoid congestion at polling stations.

He highlighted that the presence of candidate agents at every station ensures monitoring of the process, while the law permits voters to remain within 20 meters of the polling area if they choose. Byarugaba emphasized that elections are a platform for participation rather than confrontation and called on all candidates to respect the electoral process and pursue legal channels for contesting results.

The Deliberate Vote’s endorsement represents a strategic pre-election consolidation that could significantly impact Uganda’s political landscape. Nambuya claimed that, even in districts where Museveni had traditionally struggled, the coalition’s targeted outreach has opened fertile ground for voter support, potentially securing him a decisive edge.