Still in power for nearly four decades, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni is set to run for re-election, facing opposition from critics including pop star Bobi Wine, who highlights increasing state repression. Despite his claims of progress, the election remains tense as accusations of rigging and dissent loom large.
Museveni's Presidential Bid: Aiming to Extend Nearly 40-Year Rule in Uganda
Museveni's Presidential Bid: Aiming to Extend Nearly 40-Year Rule in Uganda
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni officially announces his candidacy for the upcoming election, aiming to extend his long-standing presidency amid criticisms of repression and electoral manipulation.
Uganda's long-serving president, Yoweri Museveni, at the age of 80, has been declared the ruling party's candidate for the upcoming presidential election, positioning himself to potentially extend his nearly 40-year tenure in office. In his acceptance speech, Museveni expressed his commitment to propel Uganda towards becoming a "high middle income country," emphasizing the need for stability and progress. Since he assumed power in 1986 as a rebel leader, Museveni has maintained a tight grip on power, having won every election while simultaneously amending the constitution to lift term and age limits.
With the presidential election scheduled for January, pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, known by his real name Robert Kyagulanyi, is anticipated to be Museveni's primary challenger. In prior statements, Wine indicated his willingness to run and spoke of a deteriorating environment for opposition politics, characterized by rising state repression. "Being in the opposition in Uganda means being labelled a terrorist," he stated in an April interview, highlighting the risks faced by dissenting voices.
The political landscape is also marked by the detention of fellow opposition figure Kizza Besigye, accused of treason—an allegation he denies, asserting that his arrest is politically motivated. In his recent address at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) conference, Museveni touted his administration's achievements in fostering stability while cautioning against missing future opportunities for development. He has pointed to other countries in Asia with fewer natural resources that have made significant advancements, insisting that Uganda can also achieve similar successes.
As the election approaches, concerns about the fairness of the process are pervasive, with critics warning of ongoing electoral manipulation and repression of dissent. This presents a challenging backdrop for the candidates vying for Uganda's leadership in a critical political moment.
