Ugandan President Museveni seeks 7th term after 40 years in power

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has formally announced he will seek re-election in the upcoming 2026 presidential election after 40 years in power.

Museveni, 81, first came to power in 1986 following a guerrilla war and has remained in office ever since, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

His bid for a seventh term was cleared by Uganda’s Electoral Commission, allowing him to stand again in elections scheduled for January 15, 2026.

Museveni initially rose to power on a wave of optimism after leading armed insurgencies against autocratic governments. 

Over time, however, that early goodwill has been eroded by persistent allegations of corruption, shrinking civic space, and increasingly authoritarian rule.

“Corruption has been central to his rule from the beginning,” Kristof Titeca, a professor at the University of Antwerp, told Reuters.

The president’s re-election campaign has been marked by both support and controversy. Backers point to decades of stability, infrastructure development, and economic growth, while critics led by opposition figures such as pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, warn of authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights concerns.

Analysts say Museveni’s victory is almost certain, but uncertainty looms over what comes next, as the president shows signs of physical frailty.

“The big question looming over the election is the question of succession,” Titeca said, pointing to the rapid rise of Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s military chief.

The opposition has accused Museveni of fast-tracking Kainerugaba’s career to prepare him for succession, while veteran politicians who once fought alongside Museveni have been sidelined.

Former newspaper editor Charles Onyango-Obbo said the election outcome could shape Museveni’s next political moves.

“This is less about the results that will be announced, and more about the mood on the ground,” Onyango-Obbo said, adding that a handover could still be years away.

“Museveni is more frail now, but he is a workaholic… he will not leave even if he needs to use a walking stick,” he said.