From guerrilla rebels to a 40-year presidency: Uganda's NRM

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1986, a guerrilla movement toppled a regime and reshaped Uganda. Today, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) remains the country's ruling power. While credited with economic growth and stability, its long tenure is defined by a complex legacy of democratic expansion, systemic corruption, and the controversial removal of term limits.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) emerged from a period of intense instability. Founded in 1980 by Yoweri Museveni and Yusufu Lule, it was born as a response to the Milton Obote regime. Museveni led the NRM’s armed wing, the National Resistance Army (NRA), in a guerrilla war that eventually prevailed. On January 26, 1986, Museveni declared himself president, beginning a presidency that has lasted over four decades. Museveni's early career was marked by resistance to dictatorship; he helped overthrow Idi Amin in 1979 before turning his sights on Obote. Under his leadership, the NRM has been praised for revitalizing Uganda's infrastructure, implementing capitalist reforms, and achieving significant success in battling HIV/AIDS. However, his rule is frequently scrutinized for government corruption and a perceived intolerance of dissent.

Critics point to the harassment and detention of opposition figures like Kizza Besigye and Bobi Wine as evidence of a shrinking democratic space. The party's grip on power has been maintained through significant constitutional shifts. While Museveni initially rejected multiparty democracy, he accepted a 2005 referendum to return to it. However, the NRM also oversaw a 2006 constitutional amendment that eliminated established presidential term limits. In 2017, another amendment removed the age limit of 75, clearing the path for Museveni to seek reelection in 2021 and 2026. These moves, combined with allegations of rigged elections and the rapid promotion of his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to defense chief, have fueled international and domestic debate over the nature of his long-standing authority.

The NRM's influence extends beyond Uganda's borders. Museveni has often supported rebels in neighboring countries—including backing Laurent Kabila in Zaire in 1997—justifying these actions as a means to achieve regional integration and topple corrupt regimes. He received acclaim for providing soldiers to the African Union's Somalia mission, yet he was condemned for aiding the South Sudan administration throughout its 2013 internal conflict.

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