Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will officially seek a seventh term in office in the country’s general elections slated for January 2026, a senior official from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has confirmed. The announcement, made by NRM electoral commission chairperson Tanga Odoi, ends months of speculation and solidifies Museveni’s place in what is expected to be a high-stakes contest. President Museveni, who turned 80 this year, has been in power since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. He follows Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea (46 years), Paul Biya of Cameroon (43 years), and Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo (41 years) in terms of length of tenure.
According to Odoi, Museveni will pick up nomination forms on Saturday for two positions: NRM party chairperson and presidential flagbearer. “If given the chance, he will contest again,” Odoi stated, emphasizing that internal party processes will determine the final endorsement. Under Museveni’s leadership, the 1995 Constitution has been amended twice to extend his eligibility. In 2005, term limits were removed. In 2017, a controversial amendment eliminated the 75-year age cap for presidential candidates, clearing the way for him to run again. The 2026 elections will be watched closely both domestically and internationally. Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has already declared his intention to run. He came in second during the 2021 election, which he and many observers claimed was marred by irregularities, arrests of opposition supporters, and internet blackouts.
Despite persistent criticism from human rights groups over alleged repression, political violence, and media censorship, Museveni maintains that his leadership is backed by popular support and stability gains. Uganda’s electoral commission is expected to release the official campaign calendar later this year. With the political temperature rising, the 2026 election could once again test Uganda’s democratic institutions, youth engagement, and prospects for leadership renewal.
