Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, 80, has officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the upcoming presidential race, a move that could extend his presidency to nearly 40 years.
In a post on the social media platform X, Museveni declared he had “expressed my interest in running for… the position of presidential flag bearer,” for his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. The election is scheduled for January next year.
Museveni has been the leader of Uganda since 1986, when he took power after a five-year guerrilla war. His long tenure has seen the constitution amended twice to remove term and age limits, allowing him to continue running for office.
Critics and rights activists have accused the president of using state security and a system of patronage to maintain his hold on power, allegations he denies.
According to a statement from the President, his decision to seek re-election is driven by a desire to boost Uganda’s economy, with a goal of achieving a “$500 billion economy in the next five years.” Uganda’s current GDP is approximately $66 billion, according to the country’s finance ministry.
The January 2026 election will see voters also choose their parliamentary representatives. Museveni’s main challenger is expected to be pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who finished second in the 2021 election. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has already confirmed his candidacy. He previously alleged that the 2021 election was marred by widespread irregularities, including ballot stuffing and voter intimidation.
