Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (80) has been nominated as the chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and its sole candidate for the presidential elections in 2026.
Having held power for 39 years (40 years by 2026) since assuming the presidency in 1986, Museveni is poised to continue leading Uganda for another five years, potentially extending his tenure to an unprecedented 45 years, a record in the East African region.
Uganda will hold its general elections in January 2026. After his nomination, Museveni expressed gratitude towards the NRM Electoral Commission, vowing that his upcoming term would usher in a time of peace, economic growth, job creation, and improved social services.
“I want to thank the NRM Electoral Commission for nominating me…We shall continue to emphasise the 6 words below in the next term if given the opportunity; Peace no-war and no-crime, Development, Wealth, every home must have wealth; it is personal and private, jobs, services (health, education, spirituality, hotels, etc.) (and) Markets,” Museveni says in a post on X.
The presidential race in Uganda has not been a walk in the park. Kizza Besigye, Museveni's long-time adversary and former personal doctor, has been subject to kidnapping and torture on multiple occasions in an effort to quell his ambition for the presidency.
In 2024, Besigye was reportedly abducted in Kenya and later returned to Uganda, where he was held in military custody. In 2016, Besigye faced treason charges after attempting to organise protests against Museveni’s electoral victory.
Bobi Wine, another opposition leader who bears the scars of the struggle for power, is set to contest for the presidency once again in 2026 after suffering defeat to Museveni in the last general elections.
Museveni's rule has been criticked and branded as dictatorship including speculations that he is grooming his son, currently the Chief of Staff of the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) as his successor.
Ssekabira Patrick, a staunch supporter of Bobi Wine, asserts that Wine will alter Uganda’s political landscape by winning the presidency in 2026.
“We are putting an end to the military dictatorship and brutal rule that Gen. Museveni has imposed on Ugandans since 1986,” Patrick states.
“This time, the people are ready, the youth are awake, and the message is clear: Bobi Wine is the next President of Uganda. No more lies. No more stolen futures,” he adds
Bobi Wine emphasized on Friday that his party and its supporters should not be muted following his visit to Busoga.
“If they try to silence us, the younger generation will sing even louder!” Wine said on X formerly known as Twitter.
