Uganda’s Museveni Seeks Seventh Term Amid Criticism \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, aged 80, is seeking nomination for a seventh term, bringing him close to 50 years in office. He pledges to fight corruption while critics accuse him of authoritarianism and quashing opposition. With constitutional age limits removed and opposition under pressure, concerns grow over democratic backsliding.
Quick Looks
- Nomination bid: Museveni officially filed to run again in January elections.
- Anti-corruption promise: He vowed to “wipe out corruption” if reelected.
- Opposition under fire: Key figures like Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye face arrests and suppression.
Deep Look
Uganda’s political landscape has taken a familiar, yet deeply controversial turn. On Saturday, President Yoweri Museveni, now 80 years old, officially submitted his nomination papers to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for what would be his seventh term in office. If reelected in Uganda’s upcoming January 2026 election, Museveni would edge closer to an unprecedented five decades in power—firmly establishing himself among Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
Museveni’s appearance at NRM headquarters in Kampala drew large crowds of loyalists, many celebrating his candidacy with song and dance. In a speech delivered shortly after collecting his nomination papers, Museveni focused on one of Uganda’s most persistent issues—corruption. “In this time I want us really to wipe out corruption,” he told supporters, positioning his anti-corruption drive as the cornerstone of his reelection bid.
Yet many Ugandans view the pledge with skepticism. Over his nearly 40-year rule, Museveni has repeatedly promised to tackle corruption, but watchdog groups and opposition figures argue that patronage networks and systemic graft have only deepened under his government. Critics point out that anti-corruption pledges have become a routine part of Museveni’s campaign playbook, often followed by minimal action and limited accountability.
From revolutionary to strongman
Museveni came to power in 1986 after leading a successful guerrilla war against the dictatorial regime of Milton Obote. Back then, he criticized African leaders who clung to power and promised democratic reform. Over time, however, Museveni’s governance style has evolved to mirror many of the traits he once denounced.
The shift became even more evident in 2017, when Uganda’s parliament controversially removed the presidential age limit of 75 from the constitution—clearing the path for Museveni’s continued candidacy. The amendment, passed amid protests and public outcry, marked a key turning point and deepened concerns about democratic backsliding.
Opposition faces intimidation and suppression
The political environment in Uganda remains highly restrictive, with opposition figures facing repeated harassment, arrests, and surveillance. Museveni’s most high-profile rival, Bobi Wine (real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu), has announced he will run again in 2026. A pop star-turned-politician, Wine gained popularity among Uganda’s youth and urban population during the 2021 elections, which were marred by internet blackouts, violent crackdowns, and allegations of vote rigging.
Since then, Wine has been arrested multiple times, although he’s never been convicted. He continues to lead a largely nonviolent campaign, despite escalating pressure on his supporters. Many of his allies have either been detained, forced into hiding, or fled the country. Museveni has repeatedly dismissed Wine’s political ambitions, accusing him of being an agent of foreign influence intent on destabilizing the country.
Another significant opposition voice, Dr. Kizza Besigye—a former military officer and one-time Museveni ally—remains behind bars. Arrested on treason charges in November, Besigye has long criticized the president’s authoritarian leanings and has faced a cycle of arrests and legal challenges for nearly two decades. His lawyers claim his most recent detention is politically motivated.
A legacy under scrutiny
What troubles many Ugandans is not just the length of Museveni’s rule, but the sense that a peaceful transition of power is increasingly unlikely. Uganda has never experienced a peaceful handover of presidential power since its independence from Britain in 1962. Each change in leadership has come through military force or political upheaval.
The prospect of hereditary succession has also emerged as Museveni’s son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, continues to assert his political ambitions. As the current commander of Uganda’s armed forces and a high-profile figure in the ruling party, Muhoozi has expressed interest in succeeding his father—a notion that stirs fears of a political dynasty being entrenched by military backing.
Looking ahead to 2026
The stakes are high for Uganda’s January elections. With Museveni seeking another five-year term and opposition groups bracing for a harsh political climate, the path to a fair and credible election appears fraught.
Electoral watchdogs and international observers have repeatedly raised alarms about Uganda’s democratic health, pointing to media censorship, restrictions on freedom of assembly, and disproportionate use of state security to stifle dissent. The question many Ugandans now face is whether meaningful political change is possible through the ballot box—or if Museveni’s grip on power will remain unshaken well into his ninth decade.
As Museveni frames his seventh-term campaign around promises of reform, accountability, and national stability, critics argue these promises ring hollow without structural reforms, electoral transparency, and respect for democratic norms. The upcoming elections may serve as a referendum not just on Museveni’s leadership, but on Uganda’s long-stalled journey toward democracy.
Uganda’s Museveni Seeks Uganda’s Museveni Seeks
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