Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for a seventh consecutive term as President of Uganda, extending his nearly four decades in power after winning the country’s disputed January elections.
The 81-year-old leader, who first came to power in 1986 as a rebel commander, was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, the capital, amid heavy security presence and widespread deployment of armoured vehicles across the city, according to BBC reports.
Electoral authorities said Museveni secured more than 70 per cent of the vote, with his new term expected to run until 2031.
His main challenger, Bobi Wine, rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities and ballot manipulation during the election. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, described the results as “fake” and accused the government of undermining democratic processes.
The 44-year-old opposition leader later fled Uganda, saying he feared for his life.
“The regime wanted to eliminate me,” he reportedly said after leaving the country.
Election officials, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting the polls were free and fair.
Museveni, now among Africa’s longest-serving leaders, joins the ranks of other long-term presidents on the continent, including Denis Sassou Nguesso, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Paul Biya, all of whom have remained in power for over four decades.
Several African heads of state attended the inauguration ceremony, including Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia.
Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with many citizens having known no other president besides Museveni.
Although he has not publicly indicated when he intends to step down, political analysts suggest the current term may be his final one.
Attention has increasingly turned to his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is widely viewed as a possible successor. However, the military chief has faced criticism over controversial social media posts targeting opposition figures, including Bobi Wine.
Meanwhile, human rights organisations continue to raise concerns over Uganda’s human rights situation and the treatment of opposition figures following the elections.
Amnesty International recently alleged that at least 16 people were killed by security forces between January 15 and 18 during post-election unrest, claiming the victims were unarmed and posed no threat.
Another opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, remains in detention after his arrest in late 2024. He was charged in a military court over allegations of illegal weapons possession and attempts to procure arms abroad charges he has denied.
The Ugandan government has also faced criticism over a recently passed Sovereignty Bill, which criminalises actions considered to promote “the interests of a foreigner against those of Uganda” and describes recipients of foreign funding as “agents of foreigners.”
Elijah Adeyemi
No comments:
Post a Comment