Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has officially expressed his intention to run for another term in office.
Museveni, who has defied calls for his retirement announced the decision Friday as he went to collect nomination papers from the National Resistance Movement (MRM) party’s offices in Kampala.
“I have decided to come forward and see how to escort the Bazukulu and their parents forward for another five years," he said.
This will now be his seventh term in office, should he clinch the seat, a move that would bring him closer to five decades in power.
According to Museveni,80, this term would be dedicated to fight corruption in the country.
“In this time, I want us really to wipe out corruption,” he said, noting corruption should not be there because you are in charge.
He added that Uganda has since 1986 progressed through several stages of development.
His aim, he said, is and that of the ruling party- NRM- is for the country to become a $500 billion economy in the next five years.
Museveni first took power as head of a rebel force in 1986.
He has since been elected six times, though recent elections have been marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging.
His main opponent in the last election was Bobi Wine, who has also declared his candidacy in the polls set for January.
Museveni has, however, dismissed him as “an agent of foreign interests” who can’t be trusted with power.
Wine has been arrested many times on various charges, but has never been convicted.
He insists he is running a nonviolent campaign.
Decades ago, Museveni himself had criticised African leaders who have overstayed in office.
Museveni's son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has asserted his wish to succeed his father, raising fears of hereditary rule.
A long-time opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, has been jailed since November over alleged treason charges his lawyers say are politically motivated.
