Once hailed for his commitment to good governance, the former rebel leader has crushed any opposition and tweaked the constitution to allow himself to run again and again.

His announcement follows one of his most prominent opponents, musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine, also confirming that he intended to run in 2026.

Wine, real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, lost to Museveni in elections in 2021 that were marred by widespread reports of irregularities and severe violence from security forces.

He has been arrested numerous times, with Museveni’s son and heir-apparent General Muhoozi Kainerugaba repeatedly threatening to behead him on social media.

Last year, Kizza Besigye, another long-time electoral foe, was abducted in neighbouring Kenya and brought to Uganda where he now faces the death penalty for treason.

The charges have been widely condemned by international rights groups, with his wife UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima saying he had been detained “for political reasons”.

“He is being criminalised because he has challenged, he has put himself forward as a candidate in elections,” she said.