Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been confirmed as the ruling party’s candidate for the 2026 presidential election, setting the stage for him to extend his nearly 40-year rule.
Museveni who has held power in Uganda since 1986, shared aspirations of standing another term as President in June which is made possible by two consecutive amendments made to the 1995 constitution made under his rule.
The announcement was made during a conference of his party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Museveni highlighted his role in bringing “stability and progress” to Uganda and warned against missing another opportunity for transformation like in the colonial era.
Critics accuse Museveni of ruling with an iron fist. Uganda’s constitution has been changed twice to remove term and age limits, allowing him to remain in power.
His main challenger is expected to be pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi. Kyagulanyi and Musuveni will see citizens exercise their franchise in January 2026 once again. Kyagulanyi, lost in his initial standoff against Museveni in 2021 – claiming the vote was rigged. Wine has said being in opposition in Uganda comes with harsh consequences, including intimidation and arrests.
