Ugandan strongman and longtime president, Yoweri Museveni, has officially been sworn in for a seventh consecutive term, extending his iron grip on power nearly four decades after first taking over the East African nation.
The 81-year-old leader, who seized power as a rebel commander in 1986, took the oath of office on Tuesday at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala amid massive security deployment, armoured vehicles, and tight military presence across the Ugandan capital.
According to electoral authorities, Museveni secured more than 70 per cent of votes cast in the controversial January presidential election, paving the way for him to remain in office until 2031.
But the victory has continued to spark outrage from opposition figures and rights groups.
Museveni’s main challenger, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, rejected the election results and accused the government of rigging the polls.
The opposition leader described the outcome as “fake” and alleged widespread irregularities and ballot manipulation.
Wine later fled Uganda, claiming his life was in danger.
“The regime wanted to eliminate me,” he reportedly said after leaving the country.
Despite the allegations, Ugandan election officials insisted that the polls were free and fair.
Museveni now joins the ranks of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, alongside figures such as Denis Sassou Nguesso, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Paul Biya, all of whom have spent decades in power.
Several African presidents attended the inauguration ceremony, including Samia Suluhu Hassan, Félix Tshisekedi, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Uganda, one of the world’s youngest nations by population, has millions of citizens who have never known another president apart from Museveni.
Although the veteran leader has not publicly announced retirement plans, speculation continues to grow that this latest tenure could be his final stay in power.
Attention has increasingly shifted to his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is widely seen as a potential successor.
However, the military chief has faced criticism over controversial social media attacks targeting opposition figures, including Bobi Wine.
Meanwhile, human rights groups continue to raise alarm over Uganda’s democratic record and the treatment of opposition members after the elections.
Amnesty International recently alleged that at least 16 people were killed by security forces during post-election unrest between January 15 and 18, claiming the victims were unarmed civilians.
Another opposition heavyweight, Kizza Besigye, also remains in detention after his arrest in late 2024 over allegations linked to illegal weapons possession and attempts to procure arms abroad, accusations he has strongly denied.
The Ugandan government has also come under fire over a controversial Sovereignty Bill that criminalises activities deemed to promote “the interests of a foreigner against those of Uganda” and labels recipients of foreign funding as “agents of foreigners.”
