At 81 years, Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is now Africa’s fourth longest-serving leader.
The upcoming election will see Museveni face off against his main rival, 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi.
Bobi Wine, a former musician who rose to political prominence in 2017, has garnered significant support from Uganda’s youth, largely due to his advocacy for political change and social justice.
The singer-turned-politician has repeatedly claimed that the 2021 election, which Museveni won, was marred by election irregularities such as ballot-stuffing, voter intimidation, bribery, and other forms of electoral manipulation.
On the other hand, officials from Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party have dismissed these allegations, insisting that Museveni’s victory in 2021 was legitimate and reflected the genuine support of Ugandans across the country.
In addition to Museveni and Wine, six other candidates from smaller political parties are expected to contest the presidential race. Ugandans will also vote for members of parliament during the same election.
President Museveni, a former rebel leader, has been credited for stabilizing Uganda and fostering economic growth over the years.
His government has made strides in different areas including infrastructure development.
Looking ahead, the Museveni government is pinning hopes on Uganda’s emerging oil industry.
The country is set to begin crude oil exports next year, with fields operated by France’s TotalEnergies and China’s CNOOC.
The government anticipates that this development will boost economic growth, with the potential to push the country’s economic expansion into double digits.
With the JIP’s support, Takaichi secured the prime minister’s seat, becoming the first woman in the nation to hold the office. What is Takaichi’s background? How did she perform in the parliamentary vote? What are the challenges facing the newly formed coalition?
{{Takaichi’s profile}}
Born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1993 and has since held a series of senior posts, including minister of internal affairs and communications, minister for economic security, and vice minister of economy, trade and industry.
A close ally of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is widely regarded as a staunch successor to his political agenda. The 64-year-old identifies as a hardline conservative and advocates for the restoration of traditional Japanese values and nationalist pride, emphasizing constitutional amendments, strengthening security and maintaining the imperial family’s male-only succession.
Takaichi had previously contested the LDP leadership three times. After unsuccessful bids in 2021 and 2024, she claimed the presidency this October by defeating Shinjiro Koizumi in the final round of voting.
Shortly after, however, she faced her first challenge as leader when the LDP lost its long-time junior coalition partner Komeito. Komeito chief Tetsuo Saito announced the decision to terminate his party’s 26-year partnership with the LDP, citing the ruling party’s “insufficient” response to a high-profile political funds scandal.
Takaichi was elected LDP president on Oct. 4. The prime ministerial designation vote was originally scheduled for Oct. 15 but was postponed to Oct. 21 as uncertainty following Komeito’s departure cast doubt on whether Takaichi could secure enough parliamentary support in the race.
{{Victory in both houses}}
According to Japanese law, the election of a new prime minister is held in separate votes in both houses of the Diet, Japan’s parliament. In each chamber, if no nominee wins a majority in the first round, a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters. The choice in the lower house will prevail in the event of a split decision.
To consolidate her votes amid political flux, Takaichi held negotiations with several opposition parties, including the Democratic Party for the People and the JIP. With the LDP’s new coalition partner JIP ultimately deciding to back her, she was able to effectively lock in her victory on Tuesday’s voting.
In the 465-member House of Representatives, Takaichi secured 237 ballots in the first round, defeating head of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party Yoshihiko Noda with 149 votes and other rival candidates.
However, no candidate secured a majority in the first round of the vote in the 248-member House of Councillors. Takaichi led with 123 votes, followed by Noda with 44. As a result, an unprecedented runoff for the upper chamber, the first in 13 years, was triggered between Takaichi and Noda, with Takaichi ultimately winning the race.
In the new cabinet line-up, Takaichi offered major posts to her four rivals in October’s LDP leadership race, signaling her intention to build party unity and ensure policy stability. Shinjiro Koizumi will take the post of defense minister, while Toshimitsu Motegi will return as foreign minister.
The two others are Yoshimasa Hayashi, who will be tapped as internal affairs and communications minister, and Takayuki Kobayashi, already appointed as the LDP’s policy chief.
Among other key government positions is Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, a former defense minister.
{{Rocky new alliance }}
The leaderships of the LDP and the JIP met Monday evening in Tokyo to formally sign the coalition agreement. Unlike the long-standing partnership model between the LDP and Komeito, the new coalition will take a relatively loose form, with the JIP expected not to take cabinet posts for the time being.
According to media reports, Takaichi had offered “several ministerial posts” to the JIP, a move that would deepen her commitment to the coalition, but the party declined the offer on the grounds of “lack of governance experience,” apparently reflecting JIP’s cautious stance.
This move is widely seen as a “disengagement strategy” by the JIP. It is believed that the JIP intends to maintain a certain distance from the LDP in order to be able to withdraw at any time when there are policy differences or changes in public opinion.
If it joined the cabinet, it would share responsibility for the budget bills and major policies, while remaining outside the cabinet would allow it to draw a clear line when necessary and avoid taking on political risks.
Meanwhile, the JIP’s performance in both last year’s lower house and this year’s upper house elections fell short of expectations, jeopardizing its position as the “third-largest party” after the LDP and the Constitutional Democratic Party. Moreover, a series of recent departures from the party by lawmakers have weakened its internal cohesion. The Asahi Shimbun reported that LDP top leaders are concerned that a lack of stability within the JIP could affect the sustainability of their cooperation.
Regarding policy implementation, the Nikkei pointed out that the LDP-JIP alliance still falls short of a majority in both houses in the Diet, posing great uncertainty for policy implementation. This is particularly true given JIP’s inclusion of reducing the number of Diet seats as a “nonnegotiable condition” for the alliance. Despite the LDP agreeing to parliamentary seat cuts, there is strong resistance within both the ruling and opposition parties. If this key proposition proves difficult to realize, “the prerequisite for the alliance may have already been undermined from the outset.”
According to a statement issued by the police, the fatal crash happened at around 12:15 a.m. local time along the Kampala-Gulu Highway in the western Uganda district of Kiryandongo, and involved four vehicles — two passenger buses, a Toyota Surf and a Tata lorry.
The programme is led by Elizabeth Ndinda, an education mission curator at the African Leadership University (ALU), who once faced similar challenges after becoming a mother at 19.
Having experienced the weight of stigma and the struggle to continue her education, Ndinda said she felt compelled to create opportunities for other young mothers to rebuild their lives.
“I gave birth to my firstborn at 19, but I was supported to go back to school. That changed everything for me,” she said. “Now, I want to create the same opportunity for others, to help them dream and live their dreams, because they can.”
The initiative, launched to mark the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2025, brought together ALU students and community members in Kabuga. Participants provided mentorship sessions, essential household items, and a long-term plan to support the young women’s education and personal development.
“We want to make real change in these girls’ lives and show them that they too are leaders,” Ndinda said. “We have a three-month mentorship plan, and a three-year roadmap for those who wish to return to school or pursue higher education.”
Among the beneficiaries is 27-year-old Claudine Niyigena, who became a mother while still at home as a teenager.
“Giving birth while still at home as a teen is very challenging. You face rejection, drop out of school, and life becomes hard,” she said. “This support makes me believe that people care. I still dream. I want to own a wholesale shop and live a sustainable life.”
Cynthia Umuhoza, another beneficiary, echoed this sentiment. “When you’re young and pregnant, people judge you and discriminate against you. Meeting people who understand that pain gives us new strength,” she said. “I dream of owning a boutique one day and helping other girls who have been through what I faced.”
The initiative reflects the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead.” It emphasises that young women are not just recipients of support but also potential leaders and agents of change in their communities.
For ALU student Natasha Uwase Muneza, participating in the campaign was transformative. “Meeting these mothers showed me how much potential lies in compassion and community. Their resilience gives me more hope for Rwanda’s future,” she said.
Nigerian ALU student Isoma Holyseed Victor, who joined the outreach, highlighted the importance of African-led solutions.
“Too often, Africans are told to look outside for help. But we can be our own saviours by understanding our people’s struggles and creating solutions that come from within,” Isoma said.
Local leaders have also welcomed the initiative. “We are grateful for this support, but it’s also a reminder that these girls are leaders too,” said Janvier Sabato, Executive Secretary of Kabuga 1 Cell. “They must use this opportunity to change their lives and inspire others.”
What began as a small act of compassion is now shaping into a model for empowerment. Ndinda and her team plan to expand the initiative to other parts of Rwanda, building a network of mentorship and sisterhood that uplifts women who once felt left behind.
“I was lifted by women who believed in me, one even paid my school fees through university,” Ndinda said. “Now, it’s my turn to lift others. It doesn’t take much to change a life. We can all start with what we have.”
On the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Kigali 2025, the Head of State met with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and executives from Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, and Orange, members of the G6 group, an alliance of Africa’s leading mobile network operators working with the GSMA to accelerate digital transformation.
According to the Office of the President, the meetings focused on policy reforms, infrastructure investment, and environmental sustainability, aiming to bridge Africa’s digital divide and promote inclusive growth in the continent’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Speaking earlier at the MWC Kigali 2025 opening ceremony, President Kagame called for a “bold, connected, and competitive” Africa. He urged global leaders, innovators, and policymakers to harness technology to narrow the continent’s connectivity gap and unlock its potential.
“Innovation does not belong to one part of the world alone,” Kagame said. “It can emerge anywhere from anyone given the chance.” He highlighted Africa’s rapid shift from limited connectivity to a mobile-driven economy, citing mobile money as a global model of financial inclusion empowering small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and rural communities.
President Kagame emphasised Rwanda’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into planning, research, and public service delivery to boost productivity and inclusivity. He called for harmonised policies across governments, private sectors, and partners like the African Union and Smart Africa, aiming to create a single digital market enabling secure data and payment systems across the continent.
Echoing Kagame’s vision, ICT Minister Paula Ingabire highlighted Rwanda’s digital achievements, noting that active mobile users surged from 500,000 in 2023 to 5 million 4G users by June 2025, driven by public-private partnerships and reforms to lower costs and expand infrastructure. She also showcased Rwanda’s 5G launch via MTN Rwanda, connectivity for nearly 1,000 health facilities and 4,000 schools, and training of 4.5 million citizens in digital literacy.
“The future of digital innovation in Africa will be defined by collaboration,” Minister Ingabire said, urging the development of African-designed solutions scalable globally to position the continent as a hub of digital excellence.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, praised Rwanda’s leadership, noting that mobile operators now cover 99% of the country, enabling nearly 13 million connections. He highlighted the role of mobile technology in advancing education, healthcare, and financial services, while calling for urgent action on handset affordability, inclusive AI models, and energy resilience to ensure universal digital access.
The three-day event, themed “Converge, Connect and Create”, has drawn over 4,000 delegates from 109 countries. Its thought leadership programme focuses on building a connected continent, exploring AI for economic growth, advancing fintech, and showcasing Africa’s digital frontier through innovations in health, education, and entertainment.
Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu and Evode Uwizeyimana have been reappointed for another term, while Dr. Valentine Uwamariya and Alfred Gasana join the Senate as new members.
The appointments were made in accordance with Article 80 of the Constitution.
Dr. Valentine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the former National University of Rwanda (NUR), a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa (2005), and a PhD in Water Science and Environmental Technology from UNESCO-IHE and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands (2013).
Dr. Uwamariya previously served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of training, Institutional Development and Research at Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) before being appointed Minister of Education in December 2020.
In 2023, Dr. Uwamariya was appointed Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, and the following year, she became Minister of Environment.
On July 24, 2025, Dr. Uwamariya was replaced by Dr. Bernadette Arakwiriye as Minister of Environment. Since then, she has not held any government position.
Alfred Gasana was appointed Minister of Interior in December 2021, a portfolio that had last existed in the Rwandan Government in April 2020 under Gen Patrick Nyamvumba.
Before joining the Cabinet, Gasana served as a Member of Parliament in the Chamber of Deputies, where he was part of the Political Affairs and Legal Committee in 2010.
In June 2024, he was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, succeeding Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, who had been named Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Evode Uwizeyimana is a Senator in the Parliament of Rwanda, appointed by President Kagame in October 2020. He holds a Master’s degree in Law.
From 2016 to 2020, Uwizeyimana served as State Minister in the Ministry of Justice in charge of Constitutional and Legal Affairs.
Between 2014 and 2016, he was Vice Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission and also served on the committee that reviewed Rwanda’s Constitution in 2015.
Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has been a Senator since October 2020.
For many years, he served as President of IBUKA, the umbrella organization representing survivors of the 1994 tragedy against the Tutsi.
From 1994 to December 2010, he was a lecturer in Psychology at the former National University of Rwanda.
Spearheaded by the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, the initiative unites six major operators, Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom, to lower smartphone costs and expand digital access. According to the organisers, South Africa’s recent exemption of smartphones priced below USD 150 from luxury taxes serves as a model, having boosted connectivity for millions.
President Paul Kagame, opening the event for the third year, underscored the urgency of addressing existing connectivity gaps.
“If this [connectivity] gap persists, the same technology meant to expand access will instead widen inequality,” he warned, tying Rwanda’s vision for a knowledge-based economy to universal access.
Vivek Badrinath, GSMA Director General, emphasised device costs as a key barrier. “Africa’s mobile sector is dynamic, but high device costs must be tackled to make digital inclusion affordable,” he said.
The GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2025 Report, launched at the event, reveals that 416 million Africans use mobile internet, yet a usage gap of 960 million people, including 790 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, persists, largely due to unaffordable handsets.
Rwanda’s ICT Minister Paula Ingabire showcased how policy and partnerships cut costs, growing mobile users from 500,000 in 2023 to 5 million 4G users by June 2025.
MTN Rwanda’s 5G rollout and connectivity for 1,000 health facilities and 4,000 schools demonstrate the impact.
The GSMA report projects the mobile sector’s economic contribution will rise from $220 billion in 2024 to $270 billion by 2030, with $77 billion in network investments. 4G adoption is expected to grow from 45% to 54%, and 5G from 2% to 21% by 2030, but affordable devices remain critical.
MWC Kigali also tackled inclusive AI language models and energy resilience. A continent-wide AI collaboration, “AI in Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” involves operators and developers like Masakhane African Languages Hub to embed African languages in global AI. With over 80% of the world’s unelectrified in Africa, the GSMA Ministerial Programme explores energy-digital alignment to power connectivity.
“Africa has the talent and ambition, but reforms on affordability are essential to ensure everyone benefits from the digital economy,” Angela Wamola, Head of Africa at GSMA, stated.
Hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre, MWC Kigali 2025, under the theme Converge. Connect. Create., has drawn over 4,000 delegates from 109 countries.
The latest batch of returnees, mostly women and children, crossed into Rwanda through La Corniche border post linking Goma and Rubavu.
The repatriation follows agreements reached during a tripartite meeting between Rwanda, the DRC, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 24, 2025.
Before returning home, the group had been staying in a transit camp in Goma after leaving various areas in eastern Congo where they had been under FDLR control.
The Mayor of Rubavu District, Prosper Mulindwa, assured the returnees that the Rwandan government has several programs in place to help them reintegrate into normal life.
“They will immediately be included in national support programs designed for low-income Rwandans to help them overcome challenges and catch up in development,” Mulindwa said. “Local communities are encouraged to assist them based on their needs and the opportunities available where they settle.”
He added that once the returnees complete their short stay at Kijote Transit Center in Nyabihu District, the government will provide each of them with a reintegration package to help them start afresh.
Adults over 18 years old will receive $188, minors $113, and every individual will be given basic food supplies worth Frw 45,000.
Hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre from October 21-23, the event, themed Converge, Connect and Create, has drawn over 4,000 delegates from 109 countries.
In his keynote address, President Kagame highlighted Africa’s rapid shift from limited connectivity to a mobile-driven economy, citing mobile money as a global model of financial inclusion that has empowered small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and rural communities.
“Innovation does not belong to one part of the world alone,” he said. “It can emerge anywhere from anyone given the chance.”
Yet, he warned that only a fraction of Africans are connected compared to the global average, risking wider inequality if the gap persists.
President Kagame emphasised Rwanda’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into planning, research, and public service delivery to boost productivity and inclusivity.
He called for harmonized policies across governments, private sectors, and partners like the African Union and Smart Africa to create a single digital market, enabling secure data and payment systems to connect economies continent-wide.
Echoing President Kagame’s vision, ICT Minister Paula Ingabire showcased Rwanda’s digital strides, noting that active mobile users surged from 500,000 in 2023 to 5 million 4G users by June 2025, driven by public-private partnerships and reforms to lower costs and expand infrastructure.
She highlighted Rwanda’s launch of 5G services through MTN Rwanda, 60GB of secured internet capacity, and connectivity for nearly 1,000 health facilities and 4,000 schools.
Minister Ingabire underscored the training of 4.5 million citizens in digital literacy, emphasising that “the future of digital innovation in Africa will be defined by collaboration.”
She urged the creation of African-designed solutions, scalable globally, to position the continent as a home of digital excellence.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, praised Rwanda’s leadership, noting that mobile operators now cover 99% of the country, enabling nearly 13 million connections.
“Rwanda reminds us that progress is not an aspiration; it is a deliberate choice,” he said, aligning the event with Africa’s Agenda 2063 for a prosperous, connected continent.
Badrinath highlighted mobile technology’s role in advancing education, healthcare, and financial services, while acknowledging the work needed to ensure universal access to mobile internet.
During the event, GSMA, which organises the conference in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT, highlighted three urgent priorities for policymakers: handset affordability, inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) language models, and energy resilience, calling for bold policy reforms and investments to advance Africa’s digital transformation.
“Africa’s mobile sector is one of the most dynamic in the world, but we must tackle persistent barriers such as high device costs, energy availability issues and the lack of inclusive AI. By working together, governments, industry and development partners can make digital inclusion affordable, sustainable and meaningful for every African,” Vivek stated.
MWC Kigali 2025’s thought leadership programme centres on four themes: building a Connected Continent through affordable connectivity and 5G expansion; exploring The AI Future to boost Africa’s economic growth; advancing Fintech to deepen financial inclusion; and highlighting Africa’s Digital Frontier, where innovations in health, education, and entertainment are redefining the continent’s progress.
Delivering opening remarks at the Land Forces Commanders Symposium taking place at Intare Arena in Kigali from October 21 to 22, Kagame told participants that the unpredictable global security environment demands decisive yet measured military responses.
The two-day meeting brings together military leaders, defence experts, and key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond under the theme, “Leveraging Land Forces Capabilities for Enhanced Implementation of Peace and Security Strategies.”
Kagame said the nature of modern conflict has become increasingly complex and asymmetric, often requiring military involvement in crises that are political, humanitarian, or environmental. He emphasized that land forces play a crucial role on the front lines of such challenges.
“In these complex situations, land forces are vital. You are the first to deploy and the last to leave,” Kagame said. “Your swiftness and precision make all the difference between success and failure.”
The President warned, however, that bureaucratic hurdles and distant restrictions often undermine commanders’ ability to act effectively. He underscored the need for operational flexibility and urgency, remarking that “speed without accuracy is dangerous, and accuracy without speed is pointless.”
Kagame also highlighted the importance of civil–military cooperation, noting that land forces operate closest to the people and must always prioritize citizens’ safety and trust. “The discipline and professionalism that you show are what either build or break the public’s trust,” he said.
Turning to emerging threats, Kagame noted that the digital era has introduced new frontiers of conflict, including cyberattacks and disinformation, that can destabilize nations as effectively as traditional warfare.
He urged African nations to strengthen teamwork and assert greater sovereignty in choosing their security partnerships.
“Sovereignty today is not just about borders,” he said. “It is also about our ability to choose our partners from a position of strength and align our interests.”
Kagame reminded participants that Africa continues to face the world’s highest number of active conflicts, calling for stronger regional cooperation and continental security mechanisms.
“We cannot expect others to carry the responsibility for Africa’s security,” he said. “None of the challenges that we face are beyond our capacity to manage or resolve.”
The Head of State concluded by encouraging participants to engage in open, practical dialogue over the next two days. “I urge you to be frank with one another, share experiences and challenge assumptions,” he said. “This is how progress is going to be made.”
Rwanda’s Army Chief of Staff, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, expressed gratitude to the countries participating in the conference, emphasizing that hosting the event in Rwanda demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to promoting cooperation and partnership in military affairs.
The meeting, which brings together commanders of land forces, was first held in France in 2024.
The Chief of Staff of the French Army, General Pierre Schill, highlighted the importance of military cooperation, saying that such collaboration is essential to achieving positive change.
“This is the very meaning of our gathering here,” he said. “It reflects our determination to strengthen our partnership, enhance coordination, and build collective security based on mutual understanding and respect. These are the foundations of tomorrow’s success.”
Gen Schill also praised the Government of Rwanda for agreeing to host the event and for the excellent organization.
“By organizing and hosting this conference for the second time, Rwanda demonstrates its firm commitment to these shared values,” he noted. “The goal is to make this forum a space for dialogue, experience-sharing, and reflection on the role of land forces in global security management.”
The conference will conclude on October 22, 2025, with participants expected to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi to learn about Rwanda’s history, the events that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and how it was halted.
