Uganda’s Long-Serving President Museveni Poised to Extend Rule Amid Succession Questions

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, is widely expected to win another term in an election scheduled for Thursday, a vote taking place amid discussions over leadership transition and political tensions, officials and analysts said.

Museveni, 81, is seeking a seventh term, arguing that continued leadership is needed to protect stability and development. His long tenure has been enabled by constitutional changes that removed age and term limits, reinforcing his dominant position in Ugandan politics.

The president’s main challenger is opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, who has gained support from young voters frustrated by unemployment and corruption. Other candidates are also contesting, but analysts say Museveni’s control of state institutions makes an upset unlikely.

Questions about succession have surfaced as Museveni’s rule extends, with speculation growing about future leadership within the ruling National Resistance Movement. Some observers have discussed the potential influence of figures close to the president, though no clear successor has emerged.

The campaign has been marked by instances of violence and concerns about election freedoms, with opposition rallies facing security challenges. Observers also note that regional unrest and political dynamics in neighbouring states have heightened attention on Uganda’s electoral process.

SOURCE: Reuters