Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986, has indicated that he plans to contest next year’s general elections.
Museveni, 80, made the announcement in a message shared on social media on Saturday, highlighting his administration’s economic goals. He said Uganda has undergone five distinct stages of development under his leadership and that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is now targeting a GDP of $500 billion in five years.
The long-serving leader called on newly elected NRM regional chairmen to remain neutral, avoid corruption and support candidates who align with the party’s core ideology rather than those pursuing personal interests.
Museveni also warned party members not to support leaders with self-serving agendas and stressed the importance of preserving national unity and NRM principles.
Uganda, which gained independence in 1962, experienced years of turmoil, particularly under the dictatorship of Idi Amin. Museveni came to power in 1986 after waging a guerrilla war against then-President Milton Obote, whom he accused of electoral fraud. Since then, Museveni and the NRM have maintained a tight grip on the country’s political landscape.