Yoweri Museveni was sworn in on Tuesday for a seventh consecutive term as Uganda’s president at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, with security tightened across the city before the ceremony. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The 81-year-old leader has ruled Uganda since 1986, when he first took power as a rebel leader. Uganda has since removed presidential term limits in 2005 and abolished the age limit in 2017, clearing the way for Museveni to stay in office. [1, 3, 4]
The January presidential election was contested after Museveni won a landslide victory. The administration said the vote was free and fair, while the opposition alleged intimidation, abductions and other abuses. Opposition leader Bobi Wine rejected the result and accused the authorities of ballot stuffing, calling the election "fake" and saying "the regime wanted to eliminate me" after the vote. [1, 3]
Museveni’s son, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is widely seen as a possible successor, but Museveni has not said when he plans to retire. Analysts and reports have suggested this could be his last term. [1, 2, 3]
Regional African leaders and other officials attended the inauguration in Kampala. The presidential term in Uganda runs for 5 years, setting the next scheduled political milestone for the government and the ruling party at the end of this term. [1, 2, 4]
