Museveni Open to 2031 Bid, Says Uganda Should Benefit From His Experience.

President Yoweri Museveni has said he remains open to contesting for another presidential term in 2031, arguing that Uganda should continue to benefit from his experience and institutional knowledge if he is still capable of serving.

Speaking in an interview with Sky News following his re-election, Museveni said leadership should be determined by capacity and commitment rather than age, noting that Uganda continues to face complex challenges that require experienced leadership.

“If I’m available, not dead, not senile, but I’m still around and I have some knowledge, if you are really serious about your country, why would you not want to take advantage of me if I’m still able?” Museveni said.

Responding to growing calls from young people for political change and fresh leadership, the president dismissed the notion that youthfulness alone guarantees effective governance.

He said that even during his time as a rebel leader, he valued the contribution of older leaders.

“No, me I did not. I was actually dying to work with old people because we needed them. Unless you are not serious. These problems are big problems. And if you have got a big problem, the more hands the better,” he said.

The interview also addressed concerns raised by young Ugandans over high unemployment and government-imposed internet shutdowns, which critics argue silence dissent.

Museveni defended the shutdowns, saying the internet is state-built infrastructure that must be protected from misuse.

“We are the ones who built the internet, the one you are talking about. We are the ones who built it. So the shutdown is because of dealing with criminals who want to use that infrastructure to destabilize our country. It is temporary. It is short term,” he said.

Asked whether Uganda has failed to produce a viable alternative leader over six consecutive election cycles, Museveni insisted that opposition candidates simply lacked sufficient public support.

“They would have been elected if they were there. They were not elected,” he said.

Addressing longstanding allegations that elections since 1996 have been marred by rigging, repression and the silencing of dissenting voices, Museveni rejected the claims and accused the opposition of electoral malpractice.

“The only people who rig are the opposition. It is not us. Then they would have won if they’d rigged it. They are not able to, because we are so popular, that even if they rig, they can’t manage to overturn or defeat us. We are so popular,” he said.

The interview further touched on the government’s strained relationship with opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.

Asked why state authorities have repeatedly targeted him since 2018, Museveni said the issue was not political rivalry but alleged law-breaking.

“Bobi Wine breaks the law. That’s why he’s… There are other people in opposition. You don’t find having problems with them. But if you take each case, you’ll find that he’s breaking the law,” Museveni said.

Pressed on reports of violence by security forces against Bobi Wine’s supporters, including beatings and a shooting, Museveni acknowledged that mistakes had occurred but blamed the opposition for provoking confrontations.

“The beating was a mistake. But you see, these towns here are quite crowded. So we don’t encourage processions or rallies in the towns, in the streets,” he said.

When asked whether, after nearly four decades in power, he intended to rule Uganda for life, Museveni said the decision ultimately rests with the electorate.

“That is for the people to decide,” he said.