Uganda’s Ruling Party Backs 80-Year-Old President Museveni for Seventh Term in 2026 Election

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been confirmed as the presidential candidate of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for the 2026 general election. The announcement paves the way for the 80-year-old to seek a seventh term and extend his nearly four-decade grip on power.

Museveni first came to power in 1986 after overthrowing Milton Obote and Tito Okello in a guerrilla war. Since then, he has become one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His administration has removed constitutional term and age limits, which are changes widely criticised as being tailored to keep him in office indefinitely.

Speaking at the NRM national conference on Saturday, Museveni stated that he had accepted the call to serve again. He promised to continue efforts to transform Uganda into a “high upper middle-income country”. He claimed credit for bringing stability and development to Uganda and warned against the country “missing the bus of history” as it did during the colonial era.

However, his claims of progress contrast with criticism from opposition figures and rights groups. They argue that his lengthy rule has undermined democratic institutions, weakened checks and balances, and created a climate of fear. Dissent has often been met with arrests, intimidation, and restrictions on civil liberties.

Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, is expected to be Museveni’s main opposition in the 2026 election. Wine contested the 2021 election and lost by 35 per cent to Museveni’s 59 per cent. The vote was marred by allegations of fraud, violence, and a military crackdown on the opposition.

In an interview with the BBC in April, Wine said he would run again if nominated by his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP). He noted that being in opposition in Uganda is increasingly dangerous.

Another opposition figure, Dr Kizza Besigye, remains in detention. He is facing treason charges, which he denies. Besigye, a former ally turned critic of Museveni, says the charges are politically motivated.

As previously reported, NRM electoral commission chairperson Tanga Odoi announced that Museveni would officially collect his expression of interest forms at the party headquarters on 28 June. This move formalises the start of his campaign for another five-year term. Uganda’s next general election is scheduled to take place in January 2026.

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