President Yoweri Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has announced plans to seek reelection, extending his decades-long grip on power in Uganda.
The 79-year-old leader, who has ruled the East African nation since 1986, made his intentions known during a meeting with senior members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in Kampala on Wednesday. Party officials confirmed that Museveni would be the NRM’s flagbearer in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
“President Museveni is the only candidate with the vision, experience, and leadership needed to guide Uganda through the next phase of transformation,” said NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, addressing reporters after the closed-door meeting. “The party has resolved to support his bid without hesitation.”
Museveni’s reelection bid comes amid growing concerns from opposition leaders and civil society groups who accuse him of using state machinery to suppress dissent and silence critics. The main opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, condemned the move, calling it a threat to Uganda’s democratic future.
“This is not about service to the people,” Kyagulanyi said in a statement. “It’s about clinging to power at all costs.”
In recent years, Museveni has overseen constitutional amendments that removed both age and term limits, effectively clearing the legal path for him to remain in office indefinitely. His government has faced criticism for its handling of human rights, including crackdowns on opposition rallies, media censorship, and arrests of political opponents.
Despite these challenges, Museveni maintains a loyal support base, particularly in rural areas where his role in bringing relative stability after years of civil war still resonates.
The announcement sets the stage for what is expected to be a highly contested and closely watched election. Uganda’s Electoral Commission is yet to announce the official election timeline.
