The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has clarified that its presidential flag bearer, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will not take part in the presidential debate organized by NTV Uganda.
The debate is scheduled for Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 8:00 pm, according to a flier circulated by the station.
The flier lists participating candidates as Frank Bulira of the Revolutionary People’s Party, (Rtd) Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the NRM, Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party, Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party and Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party.
However, NRM officials say they only received the invitation on November 21, 2025, long after the Electoral Commission had approved the candidates’ campaign programme, and that the debate was neither discussed with the candidates beforehand nor included in the EC-approved schedule.
“Our attention has been drawn to an advert circulating on social media from NTV Uganda, purporting to organise a presidential debate for the various aspirants and suggesting that the NRM presidential candidate will take part,” the party’s statement reads.
“Our presidential candidate is therefore not preparing to participate in any such debate,” the statement adds.
Meanwhile, NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi has already confirmed his participation.
“I will be there to share our vision for a New Uganda and to challenge Dictator Museveni on whatever new lies he wants to tell the people of Uganda after 40 years of deception and failed promises. See you then,” Kyagulanyi posted on his X handle.
