"This Will Be Museveni’s Last Term" Gov't Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo Shocks Ugandans

In a move that has sent shockwaves across Uganda, former government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo declared that President Yoweri Museveni’s current bid for re-election would be his last term in office. Opondo’s bold statement comes as the President campaigns for his seventh term, which, if successful, would see him hold office for a total of 45 years by 2031. The suggestion that this would be Museveni’s final term has caught many by surprise, considering the President’s long-standing history of postponing retirement.

Opondo’s message to Ugandans was clear: it’s time to give the 81-year-old President one final term, a "bonus" for the work he has done over the years. In an opinion piece, Opondo urged the public to acknowledge the significant strides made by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) under Museveni’s leadership, particularly in rebuilding the economy, strengthening political stability, and modernizing Uganda’s infrastructure.

“Museveni has done a lot for this country, from the liberation to the gradual rebuilding of the economy,” Opondo argued. He further emphasized that even those who may feel weary of the NRM’s extended rule should lend their support for just one more term, a term that would close out a long era of leadership and make way for a post-Museveni future.

In framing the current election as Museveni’s final run, Opondo reminded Ugandans of the NRM’s journey from the early years of liberation to the present, highlighting Uganda's transformation from a fragile state to one marked by relative stability. According to Opondo, this final push would not only ensure the continuation of the positive trajectory but also give Museveni a chance to secure a stable transition when the time eventually comes.

However, Opondo’s declaration has raised eyebrows, as it is not an official statement from either President Museveni or the NRM leadership. The idea that this would be Museveni’s final term remains speculative, as there has been no formal confirmation from the ruling party or the President himself. This uncertainty stems from a long history of deferred retirements by Museveni, who has consistently extended his time in office.

For those familiar with Museveni’s political career, Opondo’s words may seem more aspirational than factual. The President has a history of promising to retire, only to change his mind and remain in power. In 1980, Museveni famously claimed that Africa was tired of leaders who clung to power. Yet, upon seizing the presidency in 1986, he promised to step down after just four years—a promise that was later extended.

Moreover, in the early 2000s, Museveni suggested that he might retire after the 2006 elections. However, the NRM pushed through a constitutional amendment in 2005, removing presidential term limits, allowing him to stay in power indefinitely. As recently as 2016, Museveni justified his continued leadership by saying, “How can I go out of a banana plantation I have planted that has started bearing fruits?”

In 2017, the removal of the presidential age limit further solidified Museveni’s intent to remain in power for as long as possible. This decision, which allowed him to run for an additional term beyond the age of 75, was a significant move that ensured his continued dominance in Ugandan politics.

Given this history, Opondo’s declaration about Museveni’s final term might be viewed by some as a political gesture designed to reassure the public, rather than a concrete promise of retirement. Observers are likely to treat Opondo’s words with caution until a clear succession plan is put in place by the NRM.

As Uganda prepares for the 2026 elections, many are watching closely to see whether Museveni will indeed step down or continue to defy expectations. His political longevity has been a defining feature of his leadership, and the prospect of his eventual retirement raises important questions about Uganda's future leadership.

For now, Ugandans are left to ponder whether this truly is Museveni’s final term. Opondo’s appeal to voters to “give him one last chance” may resonate with some, but only time will tell whether this will mark the end of an era or simply another chapter in the ongoing saga of Museveni’s political career.