Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine cleared to run against Museveni in 2026

Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine cleared to run against Museveni in 2026

The Electoral Commission confirmed a week after rejecting his initial submission that Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi had been allowed to run in the January presidential election.

After winning on Wednesday, Wine, a pop star turned politician, can once more challenge Yoweri Museveni, who is running for a record seventh term. Since 1986, the 81-year-old has been in power.

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Wine won the 2021 election with 35% of the vote, Museveni’s lowest victory margin since taking office, and Wine won with 58%.

At least 54 people died while protesting the outcome, according to Wine, who accused Museveni of ballot-rigging and fraud. In the aftermath, Wine was placed under house arrest.

The opposition’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party, which is led by Wine, currently has the most seats in parliament, with the majority of its support coming from working-class urban areas.

After Tuesday’s announcement by electoral officials near Kampala, Museveni urged his supporters to support his vision for Uganda’s future. The presidential age of 75 was removed in 2017 by a constitutional amendment, extending his rule.

Concerns about excessive intimidation

Wine continues to be Museveni’s “main rival,” according to Kampala-based Al Jazeera reporter Catherine Soi.

He claimed that the last vote was rigged and that his vote was stolen, and that this is unlikely to continue,” Soi said.

In the run-up to this election, his party and supporters have also complained. Some of them have been arrested, according to them. Other people have been taken, according to security sources.

Soi claimed that the Electoral Commission’s chairman had stated to Al Jazeera that the electoral body was attempting to create a secure environment for the opposition’s campaign and to prevent police brutality.

However, many Ugandans are concerned about what is happening and don’t think this election will be impartial, fair, or credible.

Source: Aljazeera

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