After 39 years in power, 80-year-old Yoweri Museveni seeks re-election
The Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, having ruled for 39 years have again announced his intention to run in the country’s next presidential election, extending a rule that began nearly four decades ago.
Penpushing reports that the 80-year-old Musevini made the announcement in a post on the X platform late Saturday, Museveni said he would be contesting the presidency under the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The septuagenarian has governed Uganda since 1986 after seizing power following a five-year guerrilla war, and under his leadership, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has twice amended the constitution, allowing him to remain in office beyond term and age limits.
Penpushing further reports that Musevini, explaining his decision to seek reelection, said he aims to grow Uganda’s economy to a”$500 billion economy in the next five years, however, the finance ministry report shows that, the country’s GDP currently stands at about $66 billion.
The country is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in January next year. Museveni’s main challenger is expected to be opposition figure and pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who came second in the 2021 election and has declared his intention to contest again in 2026.
Penpushing also reports that Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, rejected the 2021 results, alleging his victory had been stolen through ballot stuffing, intimidation by security forces and other irregularities.
Meanwhile right groups have long accused Museveni of deploying security forces and leveraging patronage to hold onto power, an allegation he denies.
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