"This Is The Last Time I'm Standing For President, I Will Never Contest Again" Manipulated Video Shows Museveni Begging for Votes

A video circulating on social media claims that Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni is pleading with citizens to vote for him one last time. In the footage, Museveni allegedly says he wants another term to finish some projects.

However, a closer look reveals that the video is manipulated. It combines real footage of Museveni with audio generated using artificial intelligence tools to make it seem like he is making the plea.

In the video, the voice attributed to Museveni says: "This is the last time I am vying for president in Uganda. I will never vie again after 2026. So I urge all Ugandans to come out in large numbers and vote for me for the very last time. I have few projects that I want to finish."

The video is marked with the name “Michael’s Desk,” suggesting the social media account where it originated. It has since been widely shared, causing confusion among viewers.

Museveni has been in power since 1986 and is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Over the years, he has faced repeated accusations of authoritarianism, including suppressing opposition and manipulating elections.

Uganda is scheduled to hold elections in 2026, in which Museveni is expected to run for re-election. Changes to the constitution in 2005 and 2017 removed presidential term limits and the age limit of 75, allowing him to stand for office indefinitely.

Fact-checkers noticed something unusual in the video. The presidential lectern had the colors of the Egyptian flag, suggesting that the footage was taken during Museveni’s state visit to Egypt in August 2025.

By comparing the suspicious video with the original footage of Museveni in Egypt, fact-checkers found that the audio had been altered. In reality, Museveni said: "On behalf of our delegation, we thank you for inviting us to have this dialogue," not the fabricated pledge to run again.

The AI-generated audio had been edited to make it appear as if he was speaking about the 2026 elections. This proves that the video is false and misleading.

Authorities and media experts have advised the public to ignore the claims. The incident highlights the growing risks of AI-manipulated media and the need for critical thinking when consuming information online.