Uganda's parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for January 15

Uganda's parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for January 15, 2026, and will be over

seen by the Ugandan Election Commission. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, was nominated for a seventh term by the National Resistance Movement in July 2025 after term limits were lifted. It was likely during the election campaign that President Yoweri Museveni met with Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and his delegation at the Mayuge State Lodge Hotel. The talks focused on bilateral and regional affairs. The meeting followed a diplomatic crisis triggered by Museveni's controversial remarks questioning Kenya's exclusive claims to the Indian Ocean coastline. Museveni initiated the dispute with a radio address in Mbale in November. He argued that landlocked Uganda needed reliable access to the sea for trade, defense, and naval development, and criticized exclusive coastal claims as "madness" and "selfishness." The Kingdom of Buganda, ruled by the Baganda dynasty, established trade relations with Arab traders on the East African coast from the 18th century onward, particularly through the export of ivory and slaves. These contacts provided indirect access to the Indian Ocean via caravan routes and later via Lake Victoria and the Uganda Railway to Mombasa in Kenya. He likened Uganda to a house with an upper floor that shared the land below, sparking outrage in the Kenyan media over the perceived threat to the sovereignty of the port of Mombasa and national borders. His son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, further escalated tensions on social media, suggesting he would use force if necessary. Museveni dismissed rumors of war as misleading and clarified that his remarks referred to the long-term strategic needs of landlocked countries and not to hostilities toward Kenya. During the talks, Mudavadi requested clarification, whereupon Museveni assured the continuation of the partnership, including joint infrastructure projects such as pipelines and roads. The incident highlights Uganda's dependence on the port and calls for stronger federation within the East African Community (EAC) to prevent future conflicts. The Kenyan government subsequently reaffirmed its commitment to international law and peaceful diplomacy and dismissed Museveni's comments as non-threatening. @https://kiswahili.tuko.co.ke/habari-za-ulimwengu/610399-yoweri-museveni-akutana-na-musalia-mudavadi-siku-chache-baada-ya-kutoa-vitisho-vya-vita/