Dr. Richard Tumwesigye Mutebi, a former medical officer volunteering at Mulago National Referral Hospital and Nakaseke General Hospital, has officially declared his candidacy for Uganda’s 2026 presidential election.
His announcement sets the stage for a potential challenge against President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power for nearly four decades.
Tumwesigye, who has stepped away from his medical profession, cited Uganda’s deteriorating healthcare, agriculture, and economy as key reasons for his entry into politics.
In his declaration, he described the country’s current state as rotting and emphasized the urgent need for reform.
“I have spent years treating patients in understaffed hospitals, witnessing firsthand how our systems are failing,” Tumwesigye stated.
“But medicine alone cannot heal a nation when its foundations are crumbling. It’s time for a new direction.”
His campaign is expected to prioritize healthcare reforms, agricultural modernization, and economic empowerment
Tumwesigye’s entry adds to the growing list of challengers seeking to unseat Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. While political veterans dominate the race, Tumwesigye’s background as a grassroots medical worker could resonate with voters frustrated by systemic failures.
Political analysts, however, remain cautious about his chances, given Uganda’s history of tightly controlled elections. Yet, his message, rooted in service and reform may attract a segment of the population yearning for change.
His declaration sends a clear signal that Uganda’s youth and professionals are no longer waiting on the sidelines.
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