Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is set to run for re-election in the 2026 general elections, according to an announcement by his ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM). At 80 years old, Museveni’s decision signals a continuation of a presidency that has already spanned nearly four decades.
The announcement, confirmed by senior NRM officials, comes as little surprise to many observers both within and outside Uganda. Museveni, who first took office in 1986 following a military coup, is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. If successful in 2026, his tenure will extend beyond 40 years—a record that places him among the world’s most enduring heads of state.
Despite past speculation that he might step aside in favor of a younger successor, Museveni has consistently maintained a tight grip on power, often reshuffling his cabinet and making constitutional changes to eliminate age and term limits. The 2026 election would mark his seventh run for the presidency under a political climate that critics say has become increasingly restrictive.
Over the years, opposition figures and civil society groups have accused Museveni’s government of cracking down on dissent, curbing press freedom, and undermining democratic processes. High-profile opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has repeatedly accused the president of using state machinery to suppress electoral competition.
Still, Museveni retains significant support in parts of Uganda, especially in rural areas, where his government has been credited with expanding infrastructure, promoting agricultural programs, and maintaining relative stability in a region historically prone to conflict.
International observers are expected to closely monitor Uganda’s 2026 election amid growing global concern over democratic backsliding across Africa. As Museveni positions himself for another term, the upcoming campaign is likely to raise new debates about governance, generational leadership, and the future of democracy in Uganda.
For now, all eyes remain on Kampala as President Museveni prepares to extend his already historic rule into a fifth decade.
