(Entebbe) – Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has already been in power longer than many East Africans have been alive. This week he officially launched his latest bid to extend his rule beyond four decades.
At 80 years old and with 38 years in office already under his belt, Museveni has collected nomination forms to run once again in Uganda’s presidential elections scheduled for January 2026.
His spokesman, Sandor Walusimbi, confirmed the move in a social media post, saying Museveni is seeking nomination not just as the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) presidential candidate, but also as the party’s chairman.
According to Walusimbi, Museveni’s campaign will focus on continuing Uganda’s “economic development”— a phrase his critics say often ignores mounting concerns around governance and human rights.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly criticised Museveni’s government, accusing it of silencing political opposition, cracking down on protests, detaining rivals and limiting press freedoms.
His main opponents, including popular musician turned-politician Bobi Wine, have been routinely harassed or blocked from campaigning freely in previous elections.
For South Sudanese observers, Museveni’s leadership has always mattered. As a key military and political ally, Uganda’s role in regional peacekeeping, trade routes and cross-border diplomacy has had a direct impact on Juba.
Uganda has also hosted thousands of South Sudanese refugees and participated in joint operations, including recent controversial military actions in Unity State.
Museveni first took power in 1986 after overthrowing a military junta. Since then, he has amended Uganda’s constitution twice — once to remove term limits, and again to eliminate the age cap for presidential candidates.
Now, with no legal barriers in place, his next challenge lies in securing public support in a country where many young voters were born decades into his presidency.
NRM supporters credit Museveni with bringing stability and growth to Uganda after years of conflict. But critics argue that true democratic change cannot take place under his extended rule.
Whether Museveni wins again or not, the political ripple effects will be felt across the region, especially in neighbouring South Sudan, where democratic institutions remain fragile and peace processes are still evolving.
His re-election bid comes at a time when East Africa is balancing between strongman politics in Rwanda and Tanzania and aspirations for reform but Museveni seems to be in no hurry to hand over the baton.
