Uganda’s Electoral Commission has cleared President Yoweri Museveni to contest in the 2026 general elections, a move that could extend his rule to nearly five decades.
Museveni, 81, has led the country since 1986, making him Africa’s fourth longest-serving leader. While credited with stabilising Uganda and driving economic growth, his administration has faced persistent criticism over human rights abuses, suppression of dissent, and corruption.
The president previously oversaw constitutional changes that scrapped age and term limits, enabling his continued stay in power. He is expected to face opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, in a rematch of the disputed 2021 election. Wine, 43, has rallied young Ugandans with calls for political change and rejected the last election results as fraudulent.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Museveni promised to prioritise public safety, infrastructure, healthcare, and free education if re-elected. He also vowed to clamp down on corruption. His National Resistance Movement (NRM) is banking on projected economic growth from crude oil exports due to begin next year.
Museveni’s candidacy is the first formally approved by the commission, which is set to review Wine’s nomination on Wednesday.
The 2026 vote is expected to be a high-stakes contest between the long-entrenched leader and an opposition movement pushing to end his decades-long rule.
