“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote, that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country,” Samuel Adams.
Born and raised in Uganda, I have watched the political scene from the sidelines for years. I have watched the posters go up, the promises flow, the rallies thunder, and the polls come and go. Through all this, I never felt pushed to take part. Maybe it was laziness. Maybe it was the idea that others would do it. Maybe I convinced myself that staying out of it kept my peace, even when deep down I knew it was just avoidance.
But this time, 2026 feels different. I have followed every step. From the NRM primaries to the opposition selection processes, to the nominations, to the countrywide tours by presidential candidates, MPs, mayors and councillors. I have listened, read manifestos, watched speeches, and paid attention. I know my candidates. And come January 15, 2026, I am stepping out. Because peace is not passive. Peace requires participation.
Voting, for me, is no longer a chore. It is my voice. It is the way I say I exist, I care, and I choose stability over chaos. My vote counts. Yours too. And for the first time, I am ready to cast mine with hope, clarity, and confidence.
Now let me talk about my presidential choice and why I choose him. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM Flagbearer, is my candidate.
First, he is tried and tested. His long political and military career began with a liberation struggle that reshaped Uganda. The five-year guerrilla war that brought the National Resistance Army to power in 1986 ended the cycles of dictatorship and internal conflict that had torn the country apart. Whatever one thinks of him, that moment delivered a foundation of peace that many Ugandans had never known.
When he took power, the economy was broken. Under his leadership, economic reforms pulled the country back to life, with growth in GDP, the reduction of poverty levels, and expansion of infrastructure like roads, power and communications. These gains did not happen by accident. They came through years of steady, sometimes slow, sometimes unpopular choices that prioritised national stability.
Regionally, Uganda has played a major role in peacekeeping and counterterrorism missions, especially in Somalia under AMISOM and ATMIS. This role in regional security is not just about geopolitics. It is about preventing conflict from spilling into our borders and protecting the peace we have fought to preserve at home.
President Museveni’s deep understanding of Uganda’s institutions, challenges, opportunities and weaknesses gives him an advantage that comes only with time. Supporters see this experience as a stabilising force. For me, it speaks to continuity, long-term vision, and avoiding unnecessary shocks.
Since this is my first vote, I want it to be intentional. I do not want to choose candidates because they trend online or say the sharpest lines. Matthew 7:16 says, “By their fruit you will recognise them.” I want a vote rooted in evidence, history and a desire for peace in my country.
So on January 15, 2026, I will walk to the polling station and vote for President Museveni. Not because I think he is flawless. Not because I agree with every decision he has ever made. But because after observing, reading, questioning and thinking, I believe he offers the strongest chance of continued stability and peace, while the country navigates a complex regional and global environment.
And yes, I will tease my friends about my choice. Because voting is not just a duty. It is a statement of identity and responsibility. And for my first time, I want it to mean something.
You too can choose your leader. But choose with intention. Choose with thought. Choose with peace in mind.
