KAMPALA, May 12 – President Yoweri Museveni was inaugurated for a seventh presidential term on Tuesday, extending his hold on power in Uganda into a fifth decade.
The 81-year-old leader, who has governed the East African nation since 1986 after taking power as a guerrilla commander, was declared the winner of January’s presidential election with 72% of the vote.
The election was overshadowed by allegations of fraud and incidents of violence, drawing criticism from opposition groups and observers.
In his inauguration speech, Museveni defended his administration’s economic record and highlighted Uganda’s growth outlook as the country prepares to begin crude oil production.
Uganda’s economy is expected to expand at a double-digit pace in the coming fiscal year, supported largely by the anticipated start of oil exports, a development authorities see as transformative for the country’s long-term growth prospects.
The inauguration also comes amid renewed speculation over succession planning within Uganda’s political establishment.
Museveni is widely believed to favor his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as a potential successor, although the president has repeatedly denied claims that he is grooming him for the presidency.
Opposition figure Bobi Wine, who finished second to Museveni in the last two elections, is currently living in exile in the United States after fleeing Uganda following what he described as a military raid on his residence after the vote.
Museveni’s continued rule reinforces his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, at a time when several countries across the continent are grappling with political transition, governance reforms and rising public demands for leadership change.
