A 20-year-old senior six student from Nkowe has officially
launched her Uganda presidential race in 2026.
The aspirant, Jorine Najjemba, on Monday picked the nomination
forms to run for Uganda president in 2026.
Najjemba said Uganda is tired of the leadership of the country and offers herself as a fresh alternative.
“I finished form six last year. I’m 20 years old. I have come to aspire for the presidency, and I’m looking for your votes and support. Everyone willing out there, support me, put your trust in me. Some of you might judge me because I’m a lady and say I can’t do it,” she said.
“We are tired of harsh people within our country; we want people who are going to understand others, people who have a sense of humanity within them. That is none other than me.”
Najjemba has launched her bid under the slogan Open Door, New Uganda for Everyone where people are free to come to the country.
She said that she got her leadership aspiration in 2016 when she was in P6 and has now dared to bring change and be part of the movement.
Najjemba expressed confidence in herself, saying she has all the qualifications to make Uganda a better country.
“Trust me, do not judge me because of my age and appearance, I may be small, but I can do greater things,” she added.
The Constitution of Uganda was amended in 2017 to remove the age limit for presidential candidates.
Before the amendment, Article 102(b) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda stated that a person was not qualified for election as president unless they were "not less than 35 years old and not more than 75 years old."
However, this clause was eliminated by a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament in December 2017 and signed into law by the president.
As a result, there is no longer a maximum age limit to vie for the presidency in Uganda.
Najjemba will now join the race to battle it out with President Yoweri Museveni, among other Ugandan bigwigs.
President Museveni is set to vie for the presidency in 2026.
The National Resistance Movement
(NRM) noted that he is expected to pick nomination papers at the NRM Electoral
Commission (EC) offices.
Museveni has been the President of Uganda since January 1986, marking over 39 years in power.
He
assumed the presidency following the Battle of Kampala and has remained in
office since then.
His leadership has been marked by both periods of relative economic success and controversy surrounding his authoritarian style and human rights record.
