Uganda’s Museveni seeks re-election

President Yoweri Museveni

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, age 80, confirmed his bid for a seventh term in the January 2026 presidential election, potentially extending his hold on power to nearly half a century. Running under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Museveni formally expressed interest in serving as the party’s flagbearer via a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Reuters reports that Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986 following a guerrilla uprising. Over the past two decades, the NRM has removed presidential term and age limits, enabling its continued rule.  He said his re-election will grow Uganda’s economy from its current GDP of US$66 billion to a $500 billion economy within five years. 

According to Al Jazeera, Museveni faces stiff competition from opposition figures like Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi), who finished second in 2021 and has declared his candidacy for 2026. Wine has alleged electoral fraud and intimidation in past polls.  The upcoming election will include both the presidential vote and parliamentary elections. 

Critics and rights groups accuse Museveni of using security forces and patronage to suppress dissent, although he denies these claims, citing popular support as justification for his extended rule. In May, the government passed a law enabling military trials for civilians, drawing international criticism for undermining judicial independence ahead of the election