Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has led the East African nation since seizing power in 1986, has officially announced his candidacy for a seventh term in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for this Thursday. At 81 years old, Museveni's bid would extend his rule to over 40 years, marking one of the longest tenures in African history.
Museveni, a former rebel leader, came to power after leading the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in a successful insurgency against previous regimes, including those of Milton Obote and Tito Okello.
During his swearing-in ceremony in 1986, he declared, "This is not a mere change of guard. This is a fundamental change in the politics of our government," promising stability and reform. Under his leadership, Uganda has seen significant economic growth, attracting foreign investment and improving living standards in the early years.
The president's administration has been credited with several key achievements, including combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic, defeating the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group, deploying peacekeepers to regional hotspots like Somalia and South Sudan, and hosting one of the largest refugee populations in the world.
Additionally, the discovery of substantial oil reserves has led to partnerships with international companies such as TotalEnergies and CNOOC, positioning Uganda for future economic gains through an export pipeline. Museveni has also strengthened ties with non Western powers, including China, Russia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, to diversify Uganda's international relations.
However, Museveni's long rule has drawn sharp criticism from opponents and human rights groups. Accusations of widespread corruption, authoritarianism, and human rights abuses have persisted throughout his tenure.
Critics point to the 2005 parliamentary decision to scrap presidential term limits, which they argue was designed to allow Museveni to remain in power indefinitely.
Reports of graft under privatization programs, where state enterprises were allegedly sold to relatives and allies at undervalued prices, have fueled allegations of cronyism.
Opposition figures like Kizza Besigye, Museveni's former personal physician, have accused the government of electoral irregularities and suppression of dissent, with Besigye himself facing treason charges following his 2024 arrest.
In recent elections, Museveni has faced challenges from figures such as Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old pop star turned politician, who represents a younger generation demanding change.
While Museveni's victory is widely expected, questions about succession loom large, particularly regarding his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the current military chief, whose rapid rise has sparked accusations of dynastic planning.
As Uganda heads to the polls, the election highlights the tension between stability and calls for democratic renewal. Museveni maintains that his leadership is essential for continued progress, dismissing Western criticisms as misguided.
"If the international community has lost confidence in us, then that is a compliment because they are habitually wrong," he stated in a past address.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, under Museveni's leadership, continues to emphasize its role in transforming Uganda from a war torn state to a regional player.