KAMPALA - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was on Saturday nominated as the sole candidate to represent the ruling party in next year's presidential election.

Museveni, who will seek a seventh consecutive five-year term, was nominated by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) at a meeting held in the national capital of Kampala. His unopposed nomination means the party will not hold primary elections to select its presidential flag bearer.

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Tom Butime, an NRM historical figure and minister of tourism, wildlife and antiquities, who officially nominated Museveni, praised the president for maintaining the country's stability.

"The economy is improving while there's peace, life, and freedom in the country," Butime said.

In his acceptance speech, Museveni, 80, noted that if re-elected, he would prioritize six key areas: peace, development, wealth creation, jobs, services, and markets.

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He also expressed his ambition to elevate Uganda from a lower-middle-income status to an upper-middle-income status by 2040.

"I am ready to make my contribution in the next five years both as chairman of NRM and president," said Museveni.

Uganda is scheduled to hold general elections in January 2026, with several opposition candidates expected to join the race.