Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was sworn in for a sixth term in office as president at a ceremony in the capital, Kampala, on Wednesday, reported Africa News.
The sworn-in ceremony was broadcast on national television and was attended by several African heads of state from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Burundi, Ghana, South Sudan, Guinea, and Namibia, and other foreign dignitaries.
Adorned in a dark blue suit and his trademark wide-brimmed hat, the 76-year-old Museveni promised to “pay true allegiance” to the country. He preached African security, a united front, and the need to defend Africa from foreign enemies.
Museveni, who is one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers, has won every election since 1996, almost all marred by allegations of irregularities.
According to the official results declared by the Ugandan election commission, Museveni obtained 58% of the votes during the January 14 elections. His main opponent Bobi Wine, who received 35% of the votes, denounced the results as a masquerade. He slammed the vote as a sham. Museveni dismissed the opposition’s fraud allegations and the claims of vote-rigging.
Notably, his election victory was overshadowed by a violent pre-election crackdown in years, with opposition candidates forcibly prevented from campaigning and dozens of protesters killed by security forces. In November, at least 54 people were killed by police in violence sparked by the arrest of Mr. Wine.
On Wednesday, the main Ugandan opposition leaders, Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye said their homes had been surrounded by armed police and military.
“My house has been besieged by the army and police and I am not allowed to leave the house,” Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, told AFP.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga described the measures as normal precautions taken to protect the two opposition leaders.
Museveni is expected to head Uganda until 2025 when he would turn 82.
