Tuesday, 23 September 2025, is shaping up to be a landmark day in Uganda’s political calendar. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will formally submit his nomination papers to contest for a seventh term in the presidency. The Electoral Commission has designated Lweza, along Entebbe Road, as the venue for the nominations.
As the sunrise breaks over Kampala, anticipation is already thick in the air. Supporters, party officials, and the media gear up for what will be many things: a legal formality, a political statement, and a spectacle of faith for the ruling party. Museveni was cleared by the Electoral Commission, meeting the threshold of endorsement signatures needed from across districts.
Kololo Ceremonial Grounds: The Post-Nomination Rally and Stars
Once the nomination procedure is done, Museveni’s supporters will gather at Kololo Independence Grounds for the post-nomination rally. It is expected to be a vibrant display of political energy—speeches, flags, and music.
Who’s performing? Social media has circulated confirmation that Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone will take the stage at Kololo for this rally.
These artistes are among the biggest names in Uganda’s music scene. Their inclusion hints at the rally’s intention: to draw large crowds, rev up emotion, and reinforce Museveni’s connection with popular culture.
The Opposition Watches — And Speaks
Museveni is not alone in making his nomination. His prominent rival Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known widely as Bobi Wine, will also submit his nomination papers on the same day, 23 September. Following his own nomination, Bobi Wine has lined up post-nomination rallies in Katwe Grounds (Makindye Division) and Kaala Playground (Nateete, Rubaga Division).
Opposition figures have already voiced concerns about fairness: previous nominations were marred by claims of police interference and suppression. Many will be watching closely to see whether this nomination period unfolds peacefully this time, and whether the rules are applied equally.
Museveni’s nomination bid is more than a procedural step; it is a signal that he intends to remain Uganda’s head of state beyond 2026, continuing his long tenure. His submitting over two million endorsement signatures (as reported) shows the machinery of his party is mobilized and confident.
For the opposition, the day is both opportunity and test. Bobi Wine’s rallies in the outskirts of Kampala emphasize a different kind of support base: mobilization in communities, direct engagement, and perhaps a strategy to contrast Museveni’s national visibility with more grassroots activism.
Looking Ahead
As evening falls on 23 September, the echoes of speeches and music will linger. The questions that many will ask: Was access fair for all candidates? Did security allow for free movement of opposition supporters? Did the artistes’ performances draw attendance from across Uganda, or mostly Kampala?
Museveni’s road to another term is being paved now — not only with signatures and legal compliance, but with performance, pageantry, and public perception. For Uganda, the day will reveal much about how the political winds are blowing.