Uganda’s presidential campaign officially began on Monday, setting the stage for a heated contest between President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leader Bobi Wine in what is widely seen as a repeat of their bitter 2021 showdown. The Electoral Commission confirmed that eight presidential candidates have been cleared to run, including Museveni and Wine, and has released an official campaign schedule to prevent clashes at rally venues.
Museveni, 81, is seeking another term under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which has kept him in power since 1986. A constitutional amendment passed in 2017 removed the age limit for the presidency, paving the way for him to contest indefinitely. Defending his record at a press conference last week, Museveni pointed to investments in education, infrastructure, and health as proof of his government’s achievements. But critics accuse his administration of widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and systematically crushing political opposition.
His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi better known as Bobi Wine continues to galvanize Uganda’s youthful population. The 42-year-old musician-turned-politician secured 35% of the vote in 2021, his first presidential run, though he maintains the election was rigged through ballot stuffing, intimidation, and the arrest of opposition agents. Electoral officials rejected those claims.
Civil society groups have warned of heightened tensions as the campaigns unfold. Uganda’s Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Mariam Fauzat Wangadya, urged all sides to avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
“Political leaders must refrain from dangerous language. Security agencies must act with professionalism. Citizens must exercise their rights with respect and tolerance,” she said on Monday. Uganda’s general election is scheduled for 12 January 2026, with more than 18 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots. Observers say the race will be a crucial test of Uganda’s democracy after nearly four decades of Museveni’s dominance.
