By James Alomu

TESO — Former presidential aspirant Ntalo Vincent Gonzaga, hailing from Kateta Sub-County in Serere District, has officially stepped down from his bid to contest the presidency and pledged unwavering loyalty to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Ntalo has declared himself the “standby generator” of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), emphasizing his readiness to support the party and the incumbent president in the upcoming 2026 general election.

Ntalo began his campaign with the aim of contesting for the presidency, successfully collecting over 3,000 of the 5,000 nomination signatures required by the Electoral Commission. However, following the NRM’s formal endorsement of President Museveni as the sole flag bearer, Ntalo chose to respect the party’s decision and redirected his focus toward mobilizing support for the president.

“I had started the journey in good faith, and I reached more than 3,000 signatures,” Ntalo stated. “But when the party declared President Museveni as the sole candidate, I said to myself, this is a time to unite and support our leader. I am now the standby generator, ready to take over when needed but fully behind the engine that is President Museveni.”

Ntalo praised President Museveni’s leadership, citing Uganda’s progress in infrastructure development, rural electrification, education, and security as hallmarks of his enduring legacy. He argued that these achievements have substantially improved the lives of millions of Ugandans.

“President Museveni has done a lot for this country,” Ntalo said. “The development you see in roads, schools, health centers, and the general stability we enjoy is a result of his leadership. Those who criticize him often do so without offering any credible alternatives. The opposition speaks loudly but lacks substance.”

Addressing ongoing allegations of corruption against the government, Ntalo dismissed them as political propaganda aimed at undermining the president.

“The President is not corrupt. These are just tactics used by the opposition to distract Ugandans from the real issues. They’re tarnishing his image because they have nothing constructive to offer,” he added.

Ntalo revealed that his current role is to serve as a committed mobilizer for President Museveni and the NRM ahead of the 2026 elections. He plans to travel across various districts to rally support and encourage voters to back continuity and stability.

“My message to Ugandans is simple: support President Museveni. He is a leader who understands this country deeply, and under his guidance, we can achieve even more,” Ntalo concluded.

Ntalo’s withdrawal and public endorsement of President Museveni add to the growing number of NRM members consolidating behind the incumbent’s re-election bid. His alignment is expected to strengthen support in the eastern regions, particularly within the Teso sub-region.

As Uganda gears up for the 2026 election season, Ntalo remains firm in his self-described role—not at the forefront, but ever-ready as the “standby generator” of the NRM.