Uganda: Yoweri Museveni in the running for a 7th term

The Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni is not planning to leave the political scene anytime soon. At 80 years old, the head of state is set to run for a seventh consecutive term in the elections scheduled for 2026.

The announcement was made by the National Resistance Movement (NRM), his party, through the chairman of the electoral commission, Tanga Odoi.

According to a statement published on the social network X (formerly Twitter), Museveni will go to the NRM headquarters on Saturday, June 28, 2025, to pick up the nomination forms. This is a dual investiture: as president of the party and the NRM’s flag bearer for the presidential election.

“His Excellency President @KagutaMuseveni should choose the candidacy documents this Saturday at the offices of the NRM Electoral Commission to retain the positions of NRM president and party presidential flag bearer in the 2026 elections,” the statement reads.

A long reign continues

In power since 1986, Yoweri Museveni is today one of the longest-serving African leaders. His hold on power has relied on several constitutional reforms, notably the removal of the age limit in 2017, which allows him to run for office beyond 75 years old.

His candidacy for another term revives the debate on longevity in power, the vitality of democracy in Uganda, and the future of leadership in the region.