The former rebel has won praise for his management of the economy but has attracted criticism from human rights groups for corruption and cracking down on the opposition. [ID:nLE656459]
Although the NRM’s presidential candidate is officially picked by the national delegates’ conference, expected to take place in mid-2010, the CEC has overarching influence and often determines who stands on the party’s ticket.
In 2005, Museveni’s government amended Uganda’s 1995 constitution, scrapping a two-term limit on the presidency and allowing him to stand for re-election until he is 75.
If he runs, Museveni is likely to face off against his strongest opponent, Kiiza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change party, whom he has beaten twice.
Several opposition parties recently formed an Inter Party Cooperation initiative under which all opposition parties will field a joint candidate in the election.
Human Rights Watch said in December impunity for past electoral violence and abuses in Uganda could mar the 2011 vote and increase the chances of instability during the election.