KAMPALA, Sept 21 (Askume) – Uganda’s long-time ruling leader Yoweri Museveni has abandoned plans to run for president in the next election in 2026 , his son said on Saturday.
President Museveni, who has led the country for 38 years, is widely expected to seek re-election, although he has not yet confirmed his candidacy.
“I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot in 2026,” Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“I fully support President Yoweri Museveni in the next election,” he said, urging his supporters to back his father for a seventh time.
Ken Rugaba, who currently heads the country’s military, is widely expected to eventually be his father’s chosen successor, but he is also known for making controversial comments. Museveni’s son apologized to Kenya after threatening on Twitter to invade the country in 2022 .
Uganda’s opposition has long accused Museveni of trying to impose a monarchy on Uganda, a charge the president denies.
Museveni, 80, has ruled Uganda since 1986 and has twice amended the constitution to extend his rule.
Human rights activists and his political opponents, including pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, have long accused Museveni of using security forces to jail, intimidate or torture opposition supporters. Museveni denies such charges.
Wine came in second in the last presidential election in 2021. He refused to accept the election results, alleging fraud, threats to supporters and kidnapping.
Museveni described it as the fairest vote ever held in Uganda.
