Kampala, July 1: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed his intention to seek reelection in the country’s upcoming presidential election, extending a rule that began nearly four decades ago.
In a statement posted on social media platform X late on Saturday, Museveni, 80, said he had expressed interest in becoming the presidential flag bearer for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the January 2026 elections.
Museveni first came to power in 1986 following a five-year guerrilla war and is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Uganda’s constitution has been amended twice during his tenure to remove term and age limits, allowing him to continue contesting elections. Rights groups have accused Museveni of relying on state security forces and patronage networks to suppress dissent and maintain power, allegations he denies.
In his announcement, Museveni said he is running to help transform Uganda into a $500 billion economy within the next five years. Uganda’s current gross domestic product stands at approximately $66 billion, according to data from the finance ministry.
Museveni is expected to face a renewed challenge from opposition leader Bobi Wine, a pop star-turned-politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi. Wine, who came second in the 2021 presidential election, has already declared his candidacy for 2026. He rejected the 2021 results, alleging electoral fraud, ballot stuffing, and widespread intimidation by security forces.
The presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for January 2026, setting the stage for another high-profile political contest in the East African nation.
