Museveni of Uganda is permitted to run for reelection and anticipates nearly 50 years in power
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda was authorized by the Electoral Commission on Tuesday to run for reelection in elections scheduled for early next year, potentially extending his tenure in the East African country to almost 50 years.
Museveni, a former insurgent, is recognized for having stabilized Uganda, fostered economic expansion, and fought HIV/AIDS. However, his government’s repression of political opponents, violations of human rights, and corruption scandals are condemned by critics.
Museveni claimed that “leaders who want to overstay in power” were the real issue facing Africa after he took over in 1986.
Museveni and his administration have twice changed the constitution to eliminate age and term limits, enabling him to continue serving as Africa’s fourth longest-ruling leader.
Anticipated to confront the opposition leader, Wine
The 81-year-old incumbent is anticipated to face off against 43-year-old musician Bobi Wine in the 2026 election. Wine has used his musical success to rally a sizable following of young voters.
Wine, whose actual name is Robert Kyagulanyi, claimed that his victory was rigged through ballot stuffing, security force intimidation, and other irregularities, but Museveni defeated him by a significant margin in 2021.
The elections body, which is in charge of determining whether candidates for office fulfill legal conditions, cleared Museveni’s candidacy as the first. Wine’s candidacy is anticipated to be evaluated on Wednesday.
Museveni stated during a press conference on Tuesday that he would be able to prioritize repairing transportation infrastructure, restoring public safety, and extending health care and free education if he were given another five-year term in government.
He remarked, “There’s a bit of crime and impunity,” alluding to popular worries about an increase in crime in cities. “Getting rid of corruption,” he stated, would also be a priority for his ruling National Resistance Movement party.
When the nation starts shipping crude oil next year, Museveni’s administration anticipates a boom in the economy, with growth expected to reach double digits in the upcoming fiscal year.
The president has long been accused by his opponents of abusing the military and state patronage to keep his hold on power, as well as of torturing and kidnapping opponents, charges he refutes.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son and Uganda’s military chief, acknowledged in May that he had detained a missing opposition activist in his basement and threatened to do the same to Wine.
