Yoweri Museveni has officially been sworn in for a seventh term as President of Uganda, extending his nearly four-decade grip on power following a disputed victory in the country’s January 2026 presidential election.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, where thousands of supporters, political allies, government officials, and foreign dignitaries gathered to witness the veteran leader take the oath of office once again.
Museveni, who first came to power in 1986 after leading a successful rebel insurgency against the government at the time, secured a commanding victory in the election, polling 71.65 percent of the total votes cast, according to figures released by the Uganda Electoral Commission.
His closest challenger, opposition leader and popular musician Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, finished with 24.72 percent of the vote.
However, Bobi Wine rejected the election results, alleging widespread irregularities, voter intimidation, ballot manipulation, and electoral fraud during the polls.
The opposition candidate claimed that the election process was neither free nor fair, accusing state authorities of suppressing opposition supporters and undermining democratic principles.
The January presidential election attracted international attention after reports emerged of intimidation, arrests, abductions of opposition activists, and restrictions on political activities across several parts of the country.
There were also concerns over transparency following a nationwide internet shutdown imposed during the election period, a move critics argued affected communication, election monitoring, and access to information.
Despite the controversy surrounding the election, Museveni’s inauguration marks another major milestone in one of Africa’s longest-serving political careers.
Since assuming office nearly 40 years ago, Museveni has remained a dominant political figure in Uganda and across Africa, overseeing significant political, economic, and constitutional changes within the country.
During his years in power, his administration introduced reforms aimed at stabilising Uganda after decades of political instability, military coups, and economic decline that followed the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1962.
Many of his supporters credit him with restoring peace, improving infrastructure, expanding access to education, and driving economic growth in various sectors of the Ugandan economy.
However, his prolonged stay in office has also generated criticism from opposition figures, civil society groups, and international observers who accuse his government of weakening democratic institutions and suppressing dissent.
Museveni’s continued rule became possible after major constitutional amendments removed presidential term limits and later abolished the upper age limit for presidential candidates — reforms widely viewed by critics as efforts to allow him remain in power indefinitely.
Political analysts have frequently pointed to the irony that Museveni once criticised African leaders who refused to leave office, blaming them for many of the continent’s governance challenges.
Despite growing opposition and criticism from human rights organisations, Museveni continues to maintain strong political influence through his ruling party, the National Resistance Movement.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, the Ugandan leader pledged to continue pursuing economic transformation, national stability, and regional security while promising to strengthen development programmes across the country.
Meanwhile, opposition supporters and pro-democracy activists have continued to demand electoral reforms and greater political freedoms, insisting that Uganda’s democratic process requires stronger transparency and accountability.
Museveni’s latest inauguration further cements his place among the world’s longest-serving leaders and signals that Uganda’s political landscape is likely to remain heavily shaped by his leadership for years to come.
