( 3 minutes read)
· Yoweri Museveni, re-elected in January for a sixth term, was sworn in yesterday (Wednesday) as President at a ceremony in the Ugandan capital Kampala.
· The swearing in had taken place under heavy security to avoid any demonstrations by the opposition. His election was contested by the opposition on the ground that it was not free and fair
· Mr. Museveni obtained 58% of the votes during the January 14 elections; his main opponent Bobi Wine, received 35% of the votes and had contested the election. He also garnered international support.
Yoweri Museveni, re-elected in January for a sixth term, was sworn in yesterday (Wednesday) as President at a ceremony in the Ugandan capital Kampala. The swearing in had taken place under heavy security to avoid any demonstrations by the opposition. His election was contested by the opposition on the ground that it was not free and fair.
Mr. Museveni obtained 58% of the votes during the January 14 elections. His main opponent Bobi Wine, received 35% of the votes and had contested the election. He also garnered international support. The swearing ceremony was attended by eleven African heads of state including those of Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Burundi, DRC, Ghana, South Sudan, Guinea and Namibia. Also in attendance were Chinese and Russian representatives. There was tight security fearing opposition from Bobi Wine’s supporters.
The main opposition leaders, Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye, complained that their homes had been surrounded by armed police and military during the swearing in ceremony. The police chief explained the security as a routine one due to the presence of heads of states. The presidential election campaign was marked by violence and the muzzling of opposition candidates. They were prevented from holding rallies on the plea that it was a step to fight against the Covid-19 epidemic. The opposition also claimed that since the election, security forces have abducted several of their supporters, whereabouts of many of them are still not known.
