Uganda 2026: Museveni, 80, Set for Re-election Bid
Enet
Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's long-time leader now aged 80, has been chosen as the ruling party’s candidate for next year’s presidential race. His selection clears the way for him to try and extend his nearly 40 years in power.
During his acceptance speech, Museveni said he responded to the call and, if elected, aims to make Uganda a "high middle income country." Critics argue he has ruled with strict control ever since he took power as a rebel leader in 1986. He has won every election since, and the constitution has been changed twice to remove age and term limits that could prevent him from staying in office.
Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned politician, is expected to be Museveni’s main opponent in the election set for early next year.
In April, Wine told the BBC he would run if his party, the National Unity Platform, nominated him. He also said opposition work is becoming increasingly difficult due to rising government repression. "Being in opposition in Uganda means being labeled a terrorist," he explained. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, lost the 2021 election to Museveni with 35% of the vote to Museveni’s 59%. That election was marred by accusations of fraud and a crackdown on opponents.
Kizza Besigye, another opposition figure, has been held since November. He was accused of treason but claims his arrest is political. In his speech at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) conference on Saturday, Museveni said he has brought stability and growth to Uganda.
He warned that missing progress could mean repeating past mistakes when Africa lagged behind Europe’s expansion and was plagued by slavery. Museveni wants Uganda to make a "big leap" and become a "high upper middle income country." He pointed out that countries in Asia with fewer natural resources managed similar growth, and Uganda can do the same.
