UGANDA’s President Yoweri Museveni, 81, has been sworn in for a record seventh consecutive term following his landslide victory in disputed elections in January, extending his tenure as one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers.
Heavy security, including armoured tanks, were deployed in the capital, Kampala, ahead of the inauguration in what police said were measures intended to maintain public order.
Museveni told the crowd that his new term should be regarded as a time for “no more sleep for all Ugandans”.
He added that people should focus on creating more wealth and jobs – and build on the progress made over last 40 years through the achievement of peace and the development of infrastructure.
Museveni was declared the winner of the election with more than 70% of the vote, with his term expected to end in 2031.
His main rival, pop star turned politician Bobi Wine, rejected the result, saying the poll was marred by “ballot-stuffing”. Election officials denied the allegation.
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 eliminate me”.
Museveni first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but since then has won seven elections.
He is among the few African leaders in power for more than 40 years. Others include Congo-Brazzaville’s Denis Sassou Nguesso, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang and Cameroon’s Paul Biya.
The government declared the day a public holiday and the president’s supporters thronged to the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala for the swearing-in ceremony.
In his address, Museveni said that his government would would use revenue from planned oil production to grow the economy and alleviate poverty.
“We must protect what has been achieved, correct what still needs improvement and move forward together as one country,” he added.
African leaders who attended the ceremony included Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Félix Tshisekedi, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Uganda has one of the world’s youngest populations, with majority of the people having known no other president.
Museveni has not indicated when he intends to retire, but analysts say this is likely to be his last term.
His 51-year-old son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the military chief, has been widely tipped as a potential successor.