Ugandan President Museveni To Seek Seventh Term as He Nears 81, Extending Rule Since 1986

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who will turn 81 in September, is set to seek a seventh term in office in presidential elections scheduled for early next year, extending a presidency that began nearly four decades ago.

Tanga Odoi, the electoral commission chairperson for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), confirmed with a post on X that Museveni will formally collect expression of interest forms at the NRM headquarters on June 28.

Museveni, a former guerrilla leader who seized power in 1986 after toppling Milton Obote and Tito Okello through an armed struggle, has become one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents.

His long tenure has been marked by growing accusations of authoritarianism, electoral malpractice, and stifling of dissent. Despite the country’s constitutional age and term limits being scrapped through amendments widely seen as tailored to facilitate Museveni’s continued rule, the president has consistently argued that his leadership brings stability and experience in a volatile region.

Observers argue that Museveni’s protracted stay in power has undermined Uganda’s democratic institutions. Over the weekend, Norbert Mao, the minister for constitutional affairs and former opposition leader, publicly declared that Ugandans should not expect leadership change through elections.

Museveni now stands as Africa’s fourth-longest serving president, trailing only Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea (45 years), Paul Biya of Cameroon (43 years), and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo (39 years). Like Museveni, these leaders have maintained their grip on power through a mix of constitutional amendments, manipulated elections, and suppression of opposition.

Recall that in the last election, Museveni’s closest opponent was pop star Bobi Wine, who came second and confirmed his intention to run in 2026. He rejected the 2021 results, saying his victory had been stolen through ballot stuffing, intimidation by security forces and other irregularities.

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