Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni plans to run for reelection in national elections scheduled for early next year, aiming to extend his presidency beyond four decades. The announcement came from a senior official in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), marking the first official confirmation of Museveni’s candidacy despite widespread expectations.
Now 80 years old, Museveni has governed Uganda since 1986, making him the fourth longest-serving leader in Africa. Over the years, his party has amended the constitution twice to remove term and age limits, enabling him to remain in office.
In a video shared Monday night by the state-run Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) on X, the chairperson of the NRM’s electoral commission, Tanga Odoi, stated that Museveni will formally collect nomination forms on June 28 to secure his place as the party’s flagbearer.
“The president … will pick (up) expression-of-interest forms for two positions, one for chairperson of the party and the other to contest if he is given chance for presidential flag bearer,” Odoi said.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and other political parties are currently in the process of screening and approving candidates ahead of Uganda’s upcoming elections.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to face a familiar challenger—Bobi Wine, the musician-turned-opposition leader who finished second in the 2021 presidential race. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has already announced his intention to contest the 2026 election.
Following the 2021 vote, Wine rejected the official results, alleging widespread electoral fraud, including ballot stuffing, voter intimidation by security forces, and other irregularities. His claims were dismissed by the government.
Human rights groups and political analysts have repeatedly accused Museveni of consolidating power through a combination of patronage and force, using state institutions and security agencies to suppress dissent. Museveni, however, has consistently denied those claims, insisting his extended rule reflects the will of the Ugandan people.
