On September 23, 2025, Uganda's political landscape was thrust into the international spotlight once again as President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986, was formally cleared by the Electoral Commission to seek reelection in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for January 12, 2026. The announcement, which took place just outside Kampala, was met with both fervent celebration from supporters and renewed criticism from detractors, setting the stage for a contest that could extend Museveni’s tenure to nearly half a century.
The 81-year-old leader, who first seized power as a former rebel, has become one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents. According to Reuters, Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) party claims that more than two million supporters have signed on to back his latest bid. Hundreds gathered in Kampala to mark the occasion, underscoring the enduring loyalty that Museveni commands among segments of the population.
Museveni’s leadership has been credited by international observers and local supporters alike with stabilizing Uganda after years of turmoil, promoting economic growth, and making significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Yet, these achievements are shadowed by persistent allegations of human rights abuses, government corruption, and the systematic suppression of political opposition. Critics, including many from the opposition and international human rights groups, have pointed to a pattern of election irregularities, intimidation, and the use of state machinery to stifle dissent.
In 2017, Uganda’s parliament—firmly under the control of the NRM and widely seen as subservient to the presidency—removed constitutional age limits for the office, a move that cleared the way for Museveni, now well into his eighties, to continue seeking reelection indefinitely. The constitution had previously been amended to abolish term limits as well. As BBC reported, these changes have drawn sharp rebuke from those who see them as emblematic of a broader effort to entrench Museveni’s hold on power.
Museveni’s main rival in the upcoming poll is Bobi Wine, the stage name of Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, a 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician who has leveraged his celebrity and charisma to galvanize a youthful, urban support base. Wine’s rise has injected new energy into Uganda’s opposition, particularly among the country’s vast youth population—more than three-quarters of Ugandans are under 35, according to the U.N. children’s agency.
The contest between Museveni and Wine is a reprise of the 2021 election, in which Museveni won 58% of the vote to Wine’s 35%. Wine, however, alleged that the victory was stolen through widespread ballot stuffing, intimidation by security forces, and other malpractices. Electoral authorities denied these claims, but the allegations have continued to fuel discontent among Wine’s supporters, especially in urban areas where economic hardship and high unemployment rates have left many young people yearning for change.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission was expected to assess Wine’s candidacy on September 24, 2025, a process watched closely by both local and international observers. As News24 highlighted, Wine’s party currently holds the most seats of any opposition party in parliament, a testament to his growing political clout.
At a press conference following his official nomination, Museveni outlined his priorities for a potential new term. He pledged to restore public safety amid concerns about a recent spike in urban crime, fix transportation infrastructure, and expand access to health care and free education. “There’s a bit of crime and impunity,” Museveni acknowledged, referencing the anxieties of many city dwellers. He also vowed to tackle corruption, a persistent issue that has dogged his administration for years. “Getting rid of corruption” is a central theme of his campaign, though critics remain skeptical given the government’s track record.
Economic prospects have become a cornerstone of Museveni’s reelection pitch. The government is eyeing what it describes as an imminent economic boom, with Uganda set to begin shipping crude oil in 2026. Officials project that this development could propel economic growth into double digits in the next financial year. According to Reuters, Museveni has made attracting foreign investment a priority, positioning Uganda as a destination for international capital in East Africa.
Yet, the president’s opponents argue that economic gains have not been shared equitably and that state patronage has been used to shore up his power. Accusations of using the military and security forces to intimidate adversaries have persisted for years. The military is now led by Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, deepening concerns about dynastic politics and the militarization of the state. In a particularly chilling development, Muhoozi admitted in May 2025 to holding a missing opposition activist in his basement and threatened that Bobi Wine would be next, according to Reuters and News24. These revelations have amplified fears among opposition supporters and drawn condemnation from human rights advocates.
Museveni, for his part, has dismissed Wine as an agent of foreign interests and questioned his patriotism, a narrative that resonates with some older and rural voters but is fiercely contested by Wine’s backers. The president’s critics see such rhetoric as an attempt to deflect attention from legitimate grievances—ranging from unemployment and corruption to the lack of political freedoms.
Uganda’s role on the international stage has also come under scrutiny. The country is one of at least four African nations that have agreed to receive migrants deported from the United States, a policy that has sparked debate both domestically and abroad.
As the countdown to the January 2026 election continues, the stakes for Uganda could hardly be higher. Museveni’s supporters argue that his steady hand is needed to guide the country through a period of economic transformation and regional uncertainty. His opponents, meanwhile, insist that real progress can only come with a change in leadership, greater accountability, and a more inclusive political system.
With Museveni’s candidacy now official and Wine expected to join the race imminently, Uganda braces for a campaign season that will test the resilience of its institutions, the resolve of its citizens, and the credibility of its democracy. The outcome will not only determine the fate of its two leading contenders but will also shape the trajectory of one of Africa’s youngest and most dynamic nations for years to come.
The battle lines are drawn, and the world is watching as Uganda heads toward a pivotal election that will decide whether its future is defined by continuity or change.