Ugandan President Museveni will be defending his position in the 2026 January elections. Photo: NRM X.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni will seek reelection for another term in polls due early next year, to extend his nearly four-decade rule, according to a senior official from the ruling party.
According to a report by Reuters, while it was much anticipated, the his party National Resistance Movement (NRM), made the confirmation on Tuesday, 24. The country is expected to conduct its general election in January.
Museveni 80-years-old, has been in power since 1986 and is Africa’s fourth longest-ruling leader. The ruling party has changed the constitution twice in the past to allow him to extend his rule.
In a video posted late on Monday by state broadcaster UBC on social media platform X, the chairperson of the ruling party’s electoral body Tanga Odoi said Museveni would pick up forms on June 28 to represent the party in the polls.
“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 parties in Uganda are currently clearing their candidates, with Museveni closest opponent Bobi Wine (Robert Robert Kyagulanyi), has also expressed his interest in the position.
Wine emerged second in the 2021 elections, however he claimed his victory was short-changed by the Museveni and his team through ballot stuffing, intimidation by security forces and other irregularities.
Additionally, human rights activists and critics have long accused Museveni of using patronage and security forces to maintain his grip on power but he has denied the accusations and says his long rule is due to popular support.
Last week, Museveni signed a law allowing trial of Ugandan citizens by the military court, which was confirmed by ugandan Parliament.
However, the opposition faulted Museveni’s move, as it violates the ruling made earlier by the Supreme Court, that ruled against the new law assented to by Museveni.
