Despite four decades in power, 80-Year-Old Uganda President, Museveni seeks reelection

Uganda’s ruling party has officially announced that President Yoweri Museveni will contest in the country’s next general elections scheduled for early 2026.

The 80-year-old leader, who has governed the East African nation for close to four decades, was widely expected to seek re-election.

A statement published on the website of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on Tuesday confirmed that Museveni plans to retain both his position as party chairman and its presidential flag bearer in the upcoming polls. Tanga Odoi, who heads the NRM electoral commission, told AFP that the president would formally express his interest in contesting the election as the party’s candidate.

Museveni, once celebrated for promoting stability and good governance after seizing power in 1986, has over the years faced criticism for clamping down on opposition voices and altering the constitution to allow himself multiple terms in office.

His fresh declaration follows that of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who recently confirmed his intention to run in the 2026 election. Wine, a popular musician-turned-politician, was Museveni’s main challenger in the last presidential election held in 2021 — a vote overshadowed by widespread reports of irregularities and violent crackdowns by security forces.

In recent years, several of Museveni’s opponents have faced intimidation, arrests, and abductions. Among them is long-time political rival Kizza Besigye, who was reportedly kidnapped in Kenya last year and returned to Uganda, where he now faces treason charges punishable by death.

These actions have drawn sharp condemnation from international human rights organisations. Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, who serves as executive director of UNAIDS, insisted the charges were politically motivated, saying he was being punished for daring to challenge Museveni at the polls.

The president’s son and heir-apparent, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has also made inflammatory statements, frequently threatening opposition figures like Bobi Wine on social media.

As the political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections continues to heat up, many in Uganda and the international community are watching closely to see whether the forthcoming polls will mark a turning point or another extension of Museveni’s already record-breaking presidency.