Museveni Sworn in for Seventh Term as Uganda Extends Four Decades of One-Man Rule

Mintesinot Niggusie

Yoweri Museveni was sworn in on Tuesday for a seventh term, extending his rule in Uganda into a fifth decade after a January election marked by allegations of fraud and incidents of violence.

The 81-year-old former guerrilla leader was declared the winner of the presidential vote with 72 percent of ballots cast, according to official results, in a contest that the opposition said was neither free nor fair.

In his inaugural address, Museveni highlighted his economic record since taking power in 1986, pointing to growth prospects linked to the start of crude oil production, which officials say could support double-digit expansion in the upcoming fiscal year.

Uganda’s political landscape remains tightly centred on Museveni. Attention has increasingly focused on possible succession plans, with speculation centred on Museveni’s son, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Museveni has publicly denied grooming him for the presidency.

Opposition leader Bobi Wine, who finished runner-up in the previous two presidential elections, is currently in exile in the United States after fleeing what supporters described as a military raid following the vote.