Uganda-Under-the-Yoke-of-President-Museveni:-A-Nation’s-Cry-for-Change-Amid-a-Seventh-Term-Bid

Uganda Under the Yoke of President Museveni: A Nation’s Cry for Change Amid a Seventh-Term Bid

Dave Ikiedei Asei/Wisdom Tide/January 17th, 2026

Uganda is once again at the center of a profound political debate as calls intensify for President Yoweri Museveni to contest for a seventh term in office. For a nation whose population is overwhelmingly youthful and whose democratic aspirations have matured over decades, the prospect of one man remaining in power for nearly half a century has stirred deep concern, frustration, and reflection. While the machinery of the ruling establishment presents continuity as stability, many Ugandans increasingly experience it as political suffocation.

President Museveni assumed power in 1986 after a protracted guerrilla war, emerging as a liberator in a country exhausted by years of coups, dictatorship, and civil unrest. His early leadership was widely welcomed. Uganda witnessed relative peace, improvements in security, and economic reforms that won praise from international partners. At that time, Museveni himself warned Africa against leaders who overstayed in power, famously arguing that “the problem of Africa is leaders who want to overstay.”

Ironically, those words now haunt his legacy.

From Reform to Perpetual Rule

What began as a corrective leadership gradually transformed into one of Africa’s longest-serving presidencies. Constitutional safeguards designed to encourage leadership renewal were steadily dismantled. In 2005, presidential term limits were removed. In 2017, the age limit clause was scrapped after a controversial parliamentary process marked by violence and public outrage. Each amendment brought Museveni closer to indefinite rule and further weakened public trust in democratic institutions.

Today, the push for a seventh term has revived painful memories of those moments. To many Ugandans, it symbolizes not experience or continuity, but the entrenchment of power and the shrinking of political alternatives. Elections continue to be held, but critics argue that the playing field is heavily tilted—characterized by state dominance, security intimidation, media restrictions, and harassment of opposition figures.

The Cry of the People

Uganda’s population is young, with the majority born long after Museveni became president. For this generation, his rule is not a historical necessity but a permanent reality. Youth unemployment remains high, the cost of living continues to rise, and opportunities feel increasingly limited. Civic space has narrowed, protests are often met with force, and dissent is criminalized under the guise of maintaining order..

Prominent opposition voices and activists have faced repeated arrests, court cases, and restrictions. This pattern has fostered fear but also resilience, as many citizens quietly yearn for a system that allows free expression, fair competition, and leadership accountability. The growing frustration is not always loud, but it is persistent and deeply rooted.

The people’s cry is simple yet powerful: Uganda deserves a future that is not dependent on the political survival of one man.

Lessons From History

Uganda’s situation is not unique. History across Africa and beyond offers sobering lessons about prolonged rule.

In Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe’s decades-long presidency initially symbolized liberation but eventually descended into economic collapse, repression, and national despair. His forced exit in 2017 came not through democratic transition but internal power struggle, leaving institutions weakened and the nation divided.

In Cameroon, President Paul Biya has ruled since 1982. Despite claims of stability, the country has faced deepening conflict, economic stagnation, and alienation of younger generations who feel locked out of leadership.

Closer to Uganda, Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir ruled for 30 years before mass protests toppled him in 2019. His downfall demonstrated a critical truth: when leadership renewal is denied for too long, change often comes abruptly and painfully.

Conversely, countries that embraced transitions have fared better. Ghana, through consistent leadership changes and institutional strengthening, has emerged as a model of democratic stability in West Africa. Botswana similarly benefited from leadership turnover and respect for constitutionalism.

These examples underscore a universal principle: nations outlive individuals, and progress depends on systems, not personalities.

Stability or Stagnation?

Supporters of President Museveni argue that his continued leadership ensures stability in a volatile region. They point to security concerns, regional conflicts, and Uganda’s role in peacekeeping missions. While these arguments carry weight, stability that suppresses political freedom and innovation is fragile. True stability arises from inclusive governance, strong institutions, and public confidence—not perpetual rule.

Moreover, tying national stability to one individual creates a dangerous vacuum. When institutions are personalized, succession becomes uncertain, and the state risks crisis when transition eventually occurs. Ironically, by refusing to prepare Uganda for life beyond his presidency, Museveni may be undermining the very stability his supporters claim to protect.

The Question of Legacy

History will not judge leaders solely by how long they ruled, but by what they left behind. Museveni still has an opportunity to redefine his legacy—not as a ruler who clung to power, but as a statesman who strengthened institutions and allowed democratic renewal.

A peaceful transition, credible elections, and the opening of political space would send a powerful message not only to Ugandans but to Africa as a whole. It would affirm that leadership is service, not possession.

A Nation at a Crossroads

As calls for a seventh term grow louder, Uganda stands at a crossroads between continuity without change and renewal with hope. The cries of the people—though often muted by fear—reflect a desire for dignity, participation, and a future shaped by collective will rather than political permanence.

Uganda’s story is still being written. Whether it becomes another cautionary tale of prolonged rule or a testament to democratic maturity depends on the choices made today. The world is watching, but more importantly, Ugandans are waiting—for a leadership culture that believes in tomorrow, not one that endlessly repeats yesterday.