Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for a seventh consecutive term as Uganda’s president, extending his nearly four-decade rule after winning the country’s disputed January elections.
The 81-year-old, who first came to power in 1986 as a rebel commander, was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala amid tight security, with armoured vehicles deployed across the capital, BBC reported.
Election authorities said Museveni secured more than 70 per cent of the vote, with his new term set to run until 2031.
His main challenger, Bobi Wine, rejected the result, alleging widespread irregularities, voter intimidation, and ballot manipulation.
Wine — whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu — described the outcome as “fake” and accused the government of undermining democratic processes.
The opposition leader later left Uganda, saying he feared for his life.
“The regime wanted to eliminate me,” he reportedly said after his departure.
Ugandan electoral officials, however, dismissed the allegations and insisted the election was conducted in a free and fair manner.
Museveni, now one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, joins a small group of continental heads of state who have remained in power for over 40 years, including Denis Sassou Nguesso, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Paul Biya.
Several African leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony, among them Samia Suluhu Hassan, Félix Tshisekedi, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with the majority of citizens having known only Museveni as president.
While the president has not indicated when he intends to step down, analysts have speculated that this term could be his last.
Attention has increasingly turned to his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is widely seen as a possible successor.
The military chief has, however, drawn controversy over inflammatory social media posts targeting opposition figures, including Wine.
Human rights organisations continue to raise concerns about political repression and civil liberties in the aftermath of the election.
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 civilians.
Opposition politician Kizza Besigye also remains in detention after being arrested in late 2024. He has been charged in a military court over alleged illegal weapons possession and attempts to procure arms abroad—charges he denies.
The Ugandan government has further faced criticism over a newly passed Sovereignty Bill, which criminalises actions deemed to promote “the interests of a foreigner against those of Uganda” and labels recipients of foreign funding as “agents of foreigners.”
