Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, 81, is widely expected to secure a seventh term in this Thursday’s election, extending his rule to four decades after a campaign marked by violence and questions about his eventual successor.
Facing seven challengers, Museveni’s main opponent is 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who has energized young voters frustrated with unemployment and corruption and captured 35% of the vote in the contentious 2021 election.
Museveni, who has twice amended the constitution to remove term and age limits, campaigns on a platform of protecting Uganda’s stability, while his security forces have been accused of using teargas and live rounds at opposition rallies.
Amid the election, speculation is growing about whether Museveni’s son, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is being groomed for power, an idea not universally accepted within the ruling party.
