Facing challenge from his premier, Uganda's long-serving leader wins backing of ruling party
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Uganda's ruling party says it has picked the country's long-serving president to be its unopposed candidate for elections in 2016, a decision that eliminates the potential challenge of internal rivals who could threaten the president's nearly 30-year grip on power.
A statement late Tuesday from the ruling party, whose senior officials have been holding a retreat, said President Yoweri Museveni remains the party's "driver" and that "anybody else can wait." Without naming them, the statement slammed Museveni's rivals as a danger to "party cohesion."
Ugandan Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, who also is the ruling party's secretary-general, has emerged as Museveni's strongest rival within the party. Some analysts predict Mbabazi may launch an independent presidential bid if he is ousted from his post as premier.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Museveni has held power since 1986.