Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, aged 80, has announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election, aiming to extend his nearly four-decade rule.
Confirming his intent to run as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s flag bearer, Museveni outlined his vision to transform Uganda’s economy from its current $66 billion GDP to $500 billion within five years.
Having seized power in 1986 after a five-year civil war, Museveni has maintained leadership through constitutional changes that removed term and age limits, enabling his continued tenure.
The announcement comes amid growing political tensions, with opposition leader Bobi Wine, a pop star-turned-politician named Robert Kyagulanyi, confirming his candidacy for 2026.
Wine, who challenged Museveni in 2021, rejected those election results, citing widespread fraud, ballot tampering, and intimidation by security forces.
Recent legislative moves have heightened concerns, as parliament passed a law allowing military courts to try civilians, despite a Supreme Court ruling deeming the practice unconstitutional.
The government defends the measure as essential for national security, while critics argue it targets dissent.
Rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have criticized Uganda’s use of military courts to prosecute opposition figures, highlighting their lack of judicial independence and fairness.
Past instances include the 2018 military court charges against Bobi Wine for illegal firearms possession, which were later dropped.
As Uganda approaches the January 2026 elections for president and parliament, the political landscape remains fraught with accusations of state-driven suppression and concerns over electoral integrity, setting the stage for a contentious race.