The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, 81, has been sworn in for a seventh consecutive term after his landslide victory in a contested election in January, extending his tenure as one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers.
Heavy security, including tanks, was deployed in the capital, Kampala, ahead of his inauguration in what police said were measures aimed at maintaining public order.
Museveni was declared the winner of the election with more than 70 percent of the vote, with his term set to end in 2031.
His main opponent, pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, rejected the results, saying the vote was marred by “fraud.” Election officials denied the claims.
The 44-year-old opposition leader, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, fled the country after the election, saying he feared that “the regime wanted to destroy me”.
Museveni first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but has since won seven elections.
He is one of the few African leaders to have been in power for more than 40 years. Others include Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea and Paul Biya of Cameroon.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Independence Square in Kololo, Kampala. The government declared the day a public holiday.
