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Uganda’s long-serving president, Yoweri Museveni, is once again on the campaign trail, seeking a seventh term after nearly four decades in office. The 81-year-old leader first seized power in 1986, promising to end the cycle of leaders overstaying their welcome. Four decades later, many Ugandans have never known another head of state (Reuters).
Museveni’s tenure has been marked by both achievements and controversy. His government won praise for tackling the AIDS epidemic and defeating the Lord’s Resistance Army, which terrorised Ugandans for nearly 20 years. He also positioned Uganda as a key regional player, deploying peacekeepers to Somalia and South Sudan while welcoming refugees in large numbers.
Yet allegations of corruption have dogged his rule. Critics argue that privatisation programmes enriched his allies, while widespread graft hollowed out public services. According to UNICEF, only one in four Ugandan children who start primary school make it to secondary education, highlighting systemic challenges.
Museveni’s political longevity has been secured by scrapping term limits and winning six elections, often amid accusations of fraud. His frailty at 81 raises questions about succession, but his grip on power remains firm. As Uganda heads into another election, the balance between stability and democratic renewal is once again under scrutiny.
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