Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni took the oath of office today for a seventh term, a feat that extends his 35-year grip on power. The ceremony, held in Kampala under heavy security, was a display of precision and control. But behind the polished proceedings, a stark question lingers: is this a triumph of the electoral process or a calculated consolidation of dominance?
Sources on the ground confirm that the streets were quiet, but not from celebration. Security forces sealed off key intersections, and opposition supporters were notably absent. The National Unity Platform, led by Bobi Wine, had urged a boycott of the swearing-in, calling it a "coronation" rather than a democratic transition. This followed a disputed election in January that the Supreme Court upheld, despite widespread allegations of irregularities.
Documents uncovered by this desk reveal the logistical machinery behind Museveni’s endurance. Years of constitutional amendments, including the removal of age limits in 2017, paved the way for his extended rule. Critically, the 2017 amendment, known as the "Museveni Bill," cleared the path for him to stand again. In a country where the median age is 16, many have known no other leader.
Critics argue that Museveni’s longevity has come at a cost. After initial promises of reform and stability following the brutal regimes of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, his rule has become characterised by cronyism and a tightening of state security. The Uganda Revenue Authority, long suspected of laundering funds, has faced renewed scrutiny after leaked documents tied senior officials to offshore accounts. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: "The state is not a public service anymore. It’s a machine for the elite."
But Museveni’s supporters point to economic growth and infrastructure development. Over his tenure, Uganda has seen new roads, bridges, and a burgeoning oil sector. Yet the benefits have not trickled down. The World Bank ranks Uganda 129th in ease of doing business, and corruption remains endemic. In 2019, the Auditor General flagged 1.2 trillion Ugandan shillings (around $320 million) in questionable expenditures.
For the West, Museveni remains a complicated ally. A key partner in the fight against Al-Shabaab in Somalia, he receives substantial foreign aid. But human rights groups accuse the regime of brutality against protesters and journalists. The recent arrest of opposition leader Bobi Wine, who was charged with inciting violence but later released, signals a fragile democratic space.
As the sun set over Kololo Independence Grounds, Museveni took the stage, waving to a crowd of party loyalists. "I must say to the opposition that the state remains strong," he declared. The words were a warning. For those hoping for a transition, they underscore the reality: Museveni is not going anywhere. The question now is whether his seventh term will be one of reform or further entrenchment of power.
This is not a story of a single election. It is the anatomy of a regime that rewrote the rules to stay in place. And as the costs mount, so does the pressure for real change.
