Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda
General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986 — more than 40 years. He is the world’s third-longest-serving non-royal national leader, behind only Paul Biya of Cameroon and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea. He won a seventh presidential term in the 15 January 2026 general election against veteran opposition leader Bobi Wine (Kyagulanyi Ssentamu) amid allegations of widespread intimidation, mass arrests, and the deployment of military “snatch squads” against protesters. Museveni leads the National Resistance Movement (NRM); his son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, commander of the UPDF, is widely seen as the heir apparent.
Early life and bush war
Museveni was born on 15 August 1944 in Ntungamo, Protectorate of Uganda, to a Hima cattle-keeping family. He studied political science at the University of Dar es Salaam (graduated 1970), where he founded the University Students’ African Revolutionary Front. He joined the failed 1972 Tanzania-based invasion against Idi Amin and in 1979 fought alongside Tanzanian forces in the war that overthrew Amin. After contesting the disputed 1980 election and losing, he launched a five-year bush war (1981–1986) through the National Resistance Army, capturing Kampala on 26 January 1986.
Presidency: the long arc
Museveni’s early years were widely praised: he rebuilt Uganda’s economy, championed HIV/AIDS responses, and hosted some 1.6 million refugees. Political parties were banned until the 2005 constitutional referendum that restored multiparty politics — while simultaneously scrapping the two-term presidential limit. The 2017 Age Limit Bill removed the 75-year age cap. Museveni has won six contested elections (1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021) and a seventh in January 2026.
Security, neighbours, and the LRA
Uganda has been active militarily across the region: fighting the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony, backing successive regimes in eastern DRC, hosting Somalia’s ATMIS / AUSSOM peacekeeping operation, and deploying to South Sudan. Uganda has been accused by UN experts of supporting M23 in the DRC in 2023–2024 alongside Rwanda. Museveni’s son Muhoozi has made repeated inflammatory statements on social media about Kenya, provoking diplomatic incidents.
Human rights
Freedom House rates Uganda “Not Free.” HRW and Amnesty have documented torture, forced disappearances, and targeted killings of opposition supporters around elections. The 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act — among the harshest such laws in the world — authorises the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and up to 20 years for “promotion” of LGBT identity. Western countries have responded with targeted sanctions; the World Bank paused new lending in August 2023.
| Full name | Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 August 1944 · Ntungamo, Uganda (age 81) |
| Office | President of Uganda (9th) |
| In office since | 26 January 1986 (40+ years) |
| Vice President | Jessica Alupo (since 2021) |
| Prime Minister | Robinah Nabbanja (since 2021) |
| Party | National Resistance Movement (NRM) |
| Spouse | Janet Museveni (m. 1973; Education Minister) |
| Children | 4 (including Muhoozi Kainerugaba, UPDF commander) |
| Education | University of Dar es Salaam (political science) |
| Rank | General (Uganda People’s Defence Force) |
| 2026 election | 7th term; Bobi Wine rejected result |
| Human rights rating | Freedom House: Not Free |
Frequently asked questions
Who is the current President of Uganda in 2026?
Yoweri Museveni has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986 — over 40 years. He won a seventh term in the 15 January 2026 election.
How old is Yoweri Museveni?
Museveni was born on 15 August 1944 and is 81 years old as of April 2026.
How long has Museveni been in power?
More than 40 years, since 26 January 1986. He is the world’s third-longest-serving non-royal leader after Paul Biya of Cameroon and Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea.
Who will succeed Museveni?
His son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Force, is widely seen as the heir apparent — though no formal succession has been declared.
Is Uganda a democracy?
No. Uganda is constitutionally a presidential republic with multi-party elections, but Freedom House rates the country “Not Free.” Opposition leaders have been repeatedly jailed and protesters killed.
What is Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act?
The 2023 law authorises the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and up to 20 years for “promotion” of LGBT identity — among the harshest such laws in the world. Western governments have responded with targeted sanctions; the World Bank paused new lending.
When does Museveni’s current term end?
His seventh five-year term runs until 2031. The 2017 Age Limit Bill removed the constitutional 75-year age cap, allowing further candidacies.