KAMPALA.The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has said its presidential flag bearer, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa , will not take part in the televised presidential debate organised by NTV Uganda, a subsidiary of Nation Media Group .
The debate is scheduled for Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 8:00 pm, according to a flier circulated by the TV station.
The flier lists participating candidates as Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the NRM ,Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), 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), Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party, Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party and Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party.
However, NRM officials say the party 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.
Currently , Museveni has a cold war with Nation Media Group and its journalists have since March been banned from covering events where Mr Museveni is the chief guest . The president claim NMG has been biased towards him and his government –an allegation the top managers of NMG squarely dismiss .
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.
This is the third presidential debate Mr Museveni is snubbing after two in 2016 and 2021 general elections . The reasons advanced now are the same the party gave previously. In 2021, the late renowned journalist and talk show host with Voice of America, Shaka Ssali, was among the moderators of the debate organised by Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and others.