Uganda's long-standing leader, 80-year-old Yoweri Museveni, has officially been nominated as the ruling party's candidate for the upcoming presidential election, aiming to extend his near four-decade rule. In his acceptance speech, he expressed a commitment to transforming Uganda into a "high middle-income country." Critics argue that Museveni has maintained power through authoritarian means since he initially seized control as a rebel leader in 1986.
He has consistently won elections, with constitutional amendments made to eliminate age and term limits, allowing him to remain in office. Pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, expected to be Museveni's primary opponent, has voiced concerns about increasing repression against opposition figures. Wine has stated that opposition members often face unfair labeling, leading to dangerous conditions for dissenters.
He lost the 2021 election to Museveni amid serious allegations of electoral fraud and violence inflicted on the opposition, while fellow opposition leader Kizza Besigye remains detained on treason charges he claims are politically motivated. In his speech at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) conference, Museveni emphasized the importance of seizing historical opportunities, comparing Uganda's potential to the rapid growth of Asian nations with fewer resources.
