Uganda’s longtime President, Yoweri Museveni, has officially announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election, aiming to extend his nearly four-decade rule.
At 80 years old, Museveni, who seized power in 1986 after a guerrilla war, is seeking a seventh term as the president of Uganda.
Taking to his official X handle on Saturday, Museveni announced his “interest in running for… the position of presidential flag bearer,” for his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Uganda’s longtime president said his political manifesto is anchored on an ambitious promise to transform Uganda into a $500 billion economy within five years, a leap from its current $66 billion GDP.
He also emphasized “national interest” and “stability” as his driving forces.
He urged his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party to back leaders who prioritize ideology over personal agendas, framing his candidacy as a mission to complete Uganda’s economic evolution.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Uganda is expected to hold its presidential election in January 2026. Electorates of the country will vote for the presidential candidate of their choice as well as elect lawmakers in January 2026.
The opposition, led by Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, is mounting a fierce challenge.
Wine, who came second in the 2021 election with 35% of the vote, has declared his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election, framing it as a “protest vote” against Museveni’s alleged corruption and authoritarianism.
