This is even as his latest election campaign is overshadowed by allegations of repression and mass arrests of opposition supporters.
Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, has pushed back against growing criticism over his nearly four decades in power, insisting that his continued leadership remains vital to the country’s stability and development.
This is even as his latest election campaign is overshadowed by allegations of repression and mass arrests of opposition supporters.
The 81-year-old president made the remarks during an interview with journalist, Yousra Elbagir, amid renewed scrutiny of his decision to seek another five-year term in office.
“If I’m available, not dead, not senile, but I’m still around and I have some knowledge, why would you not want to take advantage of me?” Museveni said, defending his long stay in power.
“If you are really serious about your country, these problems are big problems. The more hands, the better.”
Museveni, who seized power in 1986 after a guerrilla war, dismissed the argument that Uganda’s youth deserve generational change in leadership, arguing instead that experience should not be discarded.
Responding to suggestions that young Ugandans want new leadership, he said, “No, I did not (want change as a rebel leader). I was actually dying to work with old people, because we needed them.”
His comments come at a time of rising youth frustration, driven by high unemployment, shrinking civic space and repeated internet shutdowns during election periods.
Critics argue that such shutdowns are designed to silence dissent and limit political mobilisation, especially among young people.
Museveni, however, rejected those claims, insisting the government’s actions were necessary for security reasons.
“We are the ones who built the internet you are talking about,” he said.
“The shutdown is because of dealing with criminals who want to use that infrastructure to destabilise our country. It is temporary. It is short term.”
The president also brushed aside long-standing allegations that Ugandan elections have been rigged, despite international observers and local civil society groups repeatedly raising concerns since 1996.
“The only people who rig are the opposition,” Museveni claimed.
“They are not able to [win], because we are so popular. Even if they rig, they can’t manage to defeat us.”
When pressed on whether Uganda has produced any credible alternative leader over six election cycles, Museveni maintained that opposition candidates simply lacked popular support.
“They would have been elected if they were there. They were not elected,” he said.
The interview also touched on the government’s aggressive posture toward leading opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, whose supporters have frequently clashed with security forces.
Bobi Wine has accused Museveni’s government of orchestrating violence, intimidation and arbitrary arrests against him and his followers.
Museveni dismissed those claims, accusing the opposition leader of lawlessness.
“Bobi Wine breaks the law,” he said. “There are other people in opposition. You don’t find problems with them.”
Confronted with reports of security forces beating and shooting Bobi Wine’s supporters, Museveni acknowledged excesses but downplayed their significance.
“The beating was a mistake,” he said, adding that rallies and processions were restricted in crowded urban areas.
Asked directly whether he intends to rule Uganda for the rest of his life, Museveni deflected responsibility to the electorate.
“That is for the people to decide,” he said.
Museveni has ruled Uganda for nearly half his life, presiding over constitutional changes that removed presidential term and age limits, clearing the way for his continued stay in office.
His critics argue that his grip on power has entrenched authoritarianism, weakened institutions and stifled dissent, claims his government continues to deny.