Uganda's longtime president seeks to prolong his rule
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni is seeking re-election, aiming to extend his nearly four-decade rule with another term in office.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda seeks reelection to extend his nearly four-decade tenure.
At 80 years old, Museveni has amended the constitution twice to maintain his presidency.
The president's economic vision aims to grow Uganda's GDP to $500 billion by 2040.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni is seeking re-election, aiming to extend his nearly four-decade rule with another term in office.
The 80-year-old leader picked up nomination forms this week to run as both the presidential candidate and chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), his spokesperson Sandor Walusimbi confirmed on X.
Museveni was a part of the rebels who ousted Ugandan leaders Idi Amin (1971–79) and Milton Obote (1980–85). Now 80 years old, Museveni, one of Africa's longest-serving presidents, has amended the constitution twice to extend his hold on power.
Lofty economic goals amid fiscal pressure
His government says the bid for another term is part of a broader strategy to transform Uganda's economy. The president has pledged to grow the economy tenfold to $500 billion by 2040, anchored on agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral-based industrialization, including oil and gas, and advances in science and technology.
With national finances already under pressure, some observers fear the 2026 elections could further strain Uganda's economy, leaving the country even more vulnerable in the aftermath.
Museveni has won five consecutive elections, nearly all of which have been marred by accusations of vote rigging, suppression of opposition, and security crackdowns.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni, 80, to seek reelection
KAMPALA (Reuters) -Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni has confirmed he intends to contest in next year's presidential election, potentially extending his rule in the east African country to nearly half a century. In a post on the X platform late on Saturday Museveni said he had "expressed my interest in running for... the position of presidential flag bearer," for his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. The 80-year-old has been ruler of Uganda since 1986 when he seized power after leading a five-year guerrilla war. The ruling party has changed the constitution twice in the past to allow Museveni to extend his rule, and rights activists have accused him of using security forces and patronage to maintain his grip on power. He denies the accusation. Museveni said he is seeking reelection to grow the country to a "$500 billion economy in the next five years." Uganda's GDP currently stands at about $66 billion, according to the finance ministry. The country will hold its presidential election next January, when voters will also elect lawmakers. Museveni's closest opponent will be pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine who came second in the last presidential election in 2021 and has already confirmed his intention to run in 2026. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, rejected the 2021 results, saying his victory had been stolen through ballot stuffing, intimidation by security forces and other irregularities.

Business Insider
11 hours ago
- Business Insider
Uganda's longtime president seeks to prolong his rule
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni is seeking re-election, aiming to extend his nearly four-decade rule with another term in office. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda seeks reelection to extend his nearly four-decade tenure. At 80 years old, Museveni has amended the constitution twice to maintain his presidency. The president's economic vision aims to grow Uganda's GDP to $500 billion by 2040. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni is seeking re-election, aiming to extend his nearly four-decade rule with another term in office. The 80-year-old leader picked up nomination forms this week to run as both the presidential candidate and chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), his spokesperson Sandor Walusimbi confirmed on X. Museveni was a part of the rebels who ousted Ugandan leaders Idi Amin (1971–79) and Milton Obote (1980–85). Now 80 years old, Museveni, one of Africa's longest-serving presidents, has amended the constitution twice to extend his hold on power. Lofty economic goals amid fiscal pressure His government says the bid for another term is part of a broader strategy to transform Uganda's economy. The president has pledged to grow the economy tenfold to $500 billion by 2040, anchored on agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral-based industrialization, including oil and gas, and advances in science and technology. With national finances already under pressure, some observers fear the 2026 elections could further strain Uganda's economy, leaving the country even more vulnerable in the aftermath. Museveni has won five consecutive elections, nearly all of which have been marred by accusations of vote rigging, suppression of opposition, and security crackdowns.


Bloomberg
16 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Uganda's Octogenarian President Seeks to Extend Four-Decade Rule
Uganda's Yoweri Museveni is seeking nomination as the ruling party's presidential candidate for the upcoming elections in January, in a bid to extend his four-decade grip on power, which human rights groups say has been characterized by the suppression of political opposition. Museveni, 80, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, picked up nomination forms to run both as the National Resistance Movement's candidate and its chairman to push for economic development, Sandor Walusimbi, his spokesman said on X.