Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has led the East African nation since 1986, is seeking a seventh term in office as he heads into the 2026 presidential election. At 81 years old Museveni has been in power for nearly four decades, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders and a dominant figure in Ugandan politics.
His bid comes amid a highly tense and contested election environment, with opposition candidates including former pop star and politician Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, challenging his continued rule. The political climate has been marked by military deployments, internet blackouts, and restrictions on opposition activities, raising concerns about election fairness and democratic freedoms.
Museveni’s long tenure has been characterised by mixed evaluations: supporters credit him with relative stability and development achievements, while critics accuse his government of entrenching corruption and limiting political competition.
Despite this, Museveni remains the frontrunner in polls and is expected to retain power, even as questions about succession and the future of Ugandan democracy persist.
