Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has officially declared his intention to contest in the country’s forthcoming presidential election, signaling a bid to extend his tenure beyond four decades.
Museveni, who has held power since 1986, made the announcement late Saturday via a statement shared on his official account on the X platform, formerly Twitter. In the post, he stated that he had “expressed [his] interest in running for… the position of presidential flag bearer” under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Now aged 80, Museveni’s long rule has been marked by significant constitutional changes. The Ugandan parliament, under NRM dominance, has amended the constitution on two occasions removing both presidential term limits and the age cap that would have barred him from future contests.
Human rights organizations and opposition groups have frequently criticized the Museveni administration, accusing it of using state security apparatus and patronage networks to maintain power. The president has consistently denied these allegations.
In explaining his decision to seek another term, Museveni cited ambitious economic goals, asserting a plan to expand Uganda’s GDP to $500 billion within five years. Current estimates from the Ministry of Finance place the nation’s GDP at approximately $66 billion.
Uganda is scheduled to hold its next presidential and parliamentary elections in January 2026. Museveni’s principal rival is expected to be opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. The former musician turned politician was the runner-up in the disputed 2021 election and has confirmed his intention to run again.
Following the last vote, Kyagulanyi accused the government of widespread electoral malpractice, including ballot manipulation and voter intimidation claims the electoral commission and ruling party denied.
With tensions expected to rise in the lead-up to the polls, Uganda once again braces for a high-stakes political contest that may shape the nation’s democratic trajectory.
