Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni announced he will seek re-election next year, a move that could extend his grip on power beyond four decades.
In a post on X late Saturday, Museveni said he had officially expressed his intention to be the presidential flagbearer for his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in the upcoming 2026 vote.
Museveni, now 80, has ruled Uganda since 1986 after leading a guerrilla war. The constitution was amended twice to allow him to remain in office. Rights groups have long accused him of using state security forces and patronage to stifle opposition and entrench power—allegations he rejects.
Defending his record, Museveni said he aims to transform Uganda into a “$500 billion economy” within five years. Uganda’s current GDP stands at roughly $66 billion.
The next presidential election is set for January 2026, alongside parliamentary polls.
His main challenger is expected to be pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi. Wine, who came second in 2021, claims the last vote was rigged through ballot stuffing and intimidation. He has confirmed his candidacy for 2026.