Home » Uganda News, World News » Five Oldest African Presidents

Africa has the longest serving presidents and many more are still stuck in power. We bring you the top 5 longest serving presidents in Africa today. How long have they served and how old are they?

1. Omar Bongo, President of Gabon has ruled for 42 years. He first came into power in1967 and ruled Gabon till death. His son, Ali Bongo was elected to replace him in August 2009. He was the world’s longest-serving non-monarch ruler after Cuban President, Fidel Castro stepped down in 2008. He was the second president of Gabon after Leon M’ba in the 1960′s. Before becoming president, Omar was vice president of Gabon. Bongo died when he was 74 years old.

2. Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi is the long serving president of Libya. He was first the prime minister of Libya before becoming the president of the country. He came into power in 1969 after a coup and has so far spent 42 years in power, counting to date. He is now considered the longest serving leader since the death of Gabon President, Omar. He is a fervent advocate of the unity of all Arab states into one Arab nation. He is 68 going to 69 come June.

3. Hosni Mubarak is the long serving president of Egypt and is the second president after assassination of President Anwar El-Sadat. To date, he has ruled for 30 years and counting. He is facing protests now in Egypt and is being forced to step down. He was vice president before coming into power. Hosni is now 82 going to 83.

4. Zimbabwe President, Robert Mugabe, born in February 1924 and is currently 86 years going to 87. Mugabe came into power in 1980 when he was elected Prime minister. Later on in 1987, he came into power as president of Zimbabwe and is also the second president to rule his country. He has spent 24 years in power.
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5. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda recently marked 25 years in power since he came into power in 1986. He is known for bringing freedom back into the country and his role in returning the rule of law and peace. He is currently running for re-election and if he wins, he gets to stay in power for another 5 years making it 30 years in power in 2016. Museveni is our youngest, yet among the longest serving presidents. He is now 66 years old.


  1. Akaturwanaho Festo says:

    Among the five presidents two have arleady gone and another one is promising to go because of age
    while another one is still looking for servival for the fitest.the question is will he servive?
    So here comes the remaining young brilliant man president museveni who knows what democracy means.
    that means he will rule till death.long live museveni!long live yoweri! long live kaguta and long live NRM! finnaly long live Uganada the pear of Africa

  2. Halidu Batong says:

    Chase all of them out of power b4 they collapse thier countries.

  3. ogoobi benedict says:

    pls,i will like to know if president Yoweri kaguta museveni was once a vice president of Uganda?

    1. ben says:

      Museveni was once a minister of defence and one time of regional coperation, and vicechairman of the military council but not vicepresident

  4. nakinsige says:


    1. ben says:

      uganda is a strong state where every event can only go through constitutional procedure and the man u call evil is the archtect of that order he cant go by force but it will be a democratic exist