President Yoweri Museveni has been named the candidate for the ruling party in Uganda's upcoming presidential election, seeking to extend his nearly 40-year reign. Critics continue to raise concerns over state repression, while opposition figures like Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye face increasing challenges.
Uganda's Museveni Set to Extend 40-Year Rule Ahead of Presidential Elections
Uganda's Museveni Set to Extend 40-Year Rule Ahead of Presidential Elections
Long-time Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, at 80 years old, announced his candidacy for next year's election, aiming to continue his near four-decade presidency.
Uganda's long-serving president, Yoweri Museveni, 80, has formally accepted his candidacy for the ruling party in the upcoming presidential election, setting the stage for a possible extension of his nearly 40-year rule. In his speech to the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Museveni expressed his commitment to transforming Uganda into a "high middle income country," highlighting what he termed his government's successes in stability and progress since he assumed power as a rebel leader in 1986.
Despite his claims, significant criticisms mark Museveni's tenure, which has seen allegations of authoritarian governance. He has won every election since taking office, with constitutional amendments made to lift age and term limits that would otherwise have barred his candidacy. Notably, singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine, a prominent opposition figure and leader of the National Unity Platform, is likely to challenge Museveni in the January election. Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, indicated in an earlier interview that the political landscape has become increasingly hostile to opposition movements.
In the 2021 elections, he lost to Museveni amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud and opposition suppression. The political environment has further deteriorated, with fellow opposition leader Kizza Besigye detained since November on political charges, sparking outcry and concern regarding civil liberties in Uganda.
Museveni, reflecting on his vision for the future, warned of the importance of seizing historical opportunities for development, drawing parallels with Asian countries that have harnessed their resources effectively. He asserted, "Other countries in Asia with less natural resources did it. We can do it." The election is poised to test the resilience of Uganda's political opposition as they navigate a climate of censorship and repression.
