When Yoweri Museveni captured power in Uganda in 1986, he struck a reformist tone, declaring that “the problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power.”
Nearly four decades later, the former rebel leader—now 81—is seeking a seventh term in office in elections holding on Thursday, extending a rule that has defined modern Uganda and left most citizens with no experience of another president.
Museveni rose to prominence on a wave of optimism after leading armed struggles against successive autocratic governments. His ascent was welcomed at home and abroad as a break from years of instability. Over time, however, that goodwill has been eroded by persistent allegations of corruption, democratic backsliding and authoritarian governance.
“Corruption has been central to his rule from the beginning,” Kristof Titeca, a professor at the University of Antwerp, told Reuters.
Museveni has acknowledged that corruption exists within government, insisting that officials found culpable have been prosecuted. Still, critics argue that graft has steadily weakened state institutions and public trust.
A skilled political tactician, Museveni has maintained strong international relevance by aligning Uganda with Western security priorities. His government has deployed peacekeepers to conflict zones including Somalia and South Sudan, while also earning praise for hosting large numbers of refugees.
Domestically, his record is mixed. His administration received international acclaim for tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic and defeating the Lord’s Resistance Army, which terrorised northern Uganda for nearly two decades. Yet public services remain under strain. UNICEF estimates that only one in four Ugandan children who begin primary school progress to secondary education, while unemployment and underemployment continue to plague young people.
Museveni’s political journey began in exile, where he formed a militant movement that helped overthrow dictator Idi Amin. After Milton Obote briefly returned to power in 1980, he was removed in a 1985 coup. Museveni’s National Resistance Movement then toppled President Tito Okello in 1986.
“This is not a mere change of guard,” Museveni declared at his swearing-in. “This is a fundamental change in the politics of our government.”
Western governments initially embraced his leadership, citing improved stability, economic reforms and rising investment. But as growth accelerated, anger grew over corruption and inequality. Parliamentary reports later accused the government of selling dozens of state enterprises at discounted prices to Museveni’s relatives and allies under a privatisation programme, with allegations that proceeds were embezzled.
Museveni has since won all six presidential elections he has contested. His former ally and personal doctor during the bush war years, Kizza Besigye, emerged as a key rival, contesting four elections against him. Besigye was arrested in 2024 and is currently facing treason charges.
In 2005, Uganda’s parliament scrapped presidential term limits, a move critics said was designed to entrench Museveni’s hold on power. Opposition candidates have repeatedly rejected election outcomes, alleging widespread irregularities. Authorities have denied the claims, while security forces have often moved to suppress opposition protests.
Responding to Western criticism in 2006, Museveni said, “If the international community has lost confidence in us, then that is a compliment because they are habitually wrong.”
In recent years, he has diversified Uganda’s foreign partnerships, strengthening ties with China, Russia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, partly to reduce reliance on Western allies. The discovery of significant oil reserves has further bolstered his position, leading to major agreements with TotalEnergies and China’s CNOOC to develop an export pipeline.
Museveni’s main challenger in Thursday’s election is Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician who has galvanised younger voters and positioned himself as the face of generational change, accusing the president of corruption and human rights abuses.
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