Uganda clears eight candidates for 2026 presidential poll, Museveni, Wine to face off again

President Yoweri Museveni, left, formally declared his intention to seek a seventh term in office last week. (Photo: Yoweri Museveni/X)

By Rachael Mutabasi
Thursday, September 25, 2025

Museveni and his government have amended the constitution twice to remove age and term limits, allowing him to remain in office for four decades.

Uganda’s Electoral Commission has officially cleared eight candidates to contest in the 2026 presidential election, including long-serving President Yoweri Museveni and his main challenger, pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.

The nominations were conducted on September 23 and 24, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Lweza-Lubowa, Wakiso District, under the supervision of Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC chairperson.

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Other candidates who were cleared to vie include: Kasibante Robert of the National Peasants Party, Mabirizi Joseph of the Conservative Party, Nandala Mafabi James Nathan of the Forum for Democratic Change, Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera of the Alliance for National Transformation, Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga of the Common Man’s Party, and Bulira Frank Kabinga of the Revolutionary People’s Party.

Museveni, 81, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is seeking another five-year term. A former rebel leader credited with stabilising the country, spurring economic growth, and combating HIV/AIDS, Museveni now promises to focus on restoring public safety, upgrading transport infrastructure, expanding health care, improving education, and fighting corruption.

"There's a bit of crime and impunity," he said, referring to public concerns about a wave of crime in urban areas.

He said his National Resistance Movement party would also work on "getting rid of corruption."

But critics accuse his government of suppressing dissent, committing human rights abuses, and presiding over corruption scandals.

After seizing power in 1986, Museveni said the problem facing Africa was not its people but "leaders who want to overstay in power".

Museveni and his government have amended the constitution twice to remove age and term limits, allowing him to remain in office for four decades.

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine. (Photo: Bobi Wine)

The 2026 election is expected to be another face-off with his main challenger, pop-star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, 43, who has built a passionate following among Uganda’s youth.

Wine ran against Museveni in 2021, but that election was marred by violence, leaving at least 54 dead in protests, and he was placed under house arrest after polling day. Following the announcement of his clearance to run, Wine told journalists, “All we want is a free and fair election, no military violence, no police brutality.”

Museveni announced that the 2026 elections will be his final campaign for the presidency, urging citizens to support him as he seeks another term to complete key national projects.

“This is the last time I’m vying for President in Uganda. I’ll never vie again after 2026. So I urge all Ugandans to come out in large numbers and vote for me for the very last time. I have a few projects that I want to finish,” Museveni said.