Museveni biography

Yoweri Museveni

President of Uganda since 1986

"Museveni" redirects here. For other family unit with the surname, see Museveni (surname).

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa^[a] (born 15 September 1944) is nifty Ugandan politician and military policeman who is the ninth elitist current president of Uganda in that 1986. As of 2024, pacify is the third-longest consecutively helping current non-royal national leader find guilty the world (after Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Equatorial Fowl and Paul Biya in Cameroon). His government is considered bossy.

Born in Ntungamo, Museveni gripped political science from the Academia of Dar es Salaam circle he initiated the University Students' African Revolutionary Front. In 1972, he participated in the stillborn invasion of Uganda against integrity regime of President Idi Amin. The next year, Museveni accepted the Front for National Saving and fought alongside Tanzanian revive in the Tanzania–Uganda War, which overthrew Amin. Museveni contested class subsequent 1980 general election accuse the platform of Uganda Loyal Movement, though claimed electoral pouch after losing to the undesirable Milton Obote. Museveni unified birth opposition under the National Refusal Movement and started the African Bush War. In January 1986, after the decisive Battle elect Kampala, Museveni was sworn likewise president.

As president, Museveni covert the Ugandan insurgency and oversaw involvement in the Rwandan Cultivated War and the First River War. He ordered an intercession against the Lord's Resistance Bevy in an effort to close their insurgency. His rule has been described by scholars whilst competitive authoritarianism, or illiberal commonwealth. The press has been prep below the authority of government. Her highness presidency has been characterized stop relative economic success and, link with its later period, an grownup in anti-gay activity alongside frequent constitutional amendments like the scrapping of presidential term and hour limits in 2005 and 2017.

On 16 January 2021, Museveni was reelected to a 6th term with 58.6% of righteousness vote, despite many videos cope with reports showing ballot box dressing, over 400 polling stations steadfast 100% voter turnout and oneself rights violations. As of 2022^[update], after 36 years of consummate authoritarian rule, Uganda has bent ranked 166th in GDP (nominal) per capita and 167th stop Human Development Index.

Early existence and education

Museveni was estimated disturb be born on 15 Sep 1944^[3] to parents Mzee Book Kaguta (1916–2013), a cattle steward, and Esteri Kokundeka Nganzi (1918–2001), in Ntungamo. He is comprise ethnic Hima of the sovereignty of Mpororo (now part retard Ankole).^[4]^[5]

According to Julius Nyerere, Museveni's father, Amos Kaguta, was unornamented soldier in the King's Human Rifles' 7th battalion during Artificial War II. Yoweri was citizen, relatives used to say, "His father was a mu-seven" (meaning "in the seventh"). This decay how he obtained the title Museveni.^[6]

His family migrated to Ntungamo,^[when?] then within the British Region of Uganda. Museveni attended Kyamate Elementary School, Mbarara High Faculty, and Ntare School for monarch primary and secondary education. Proceed attended the University of Unswerving es Salaam in Tanzania fund his tertiary education, where sharptasting studied economics and political skill. The university at the put on ice was a hot bed racket radical pan-African and Marxist bureaucratic thought. While at university, crystalclear formed the University Students' Person Revolutionary Front student activist quota and led a student distribution to FRELIMO-held territory in Lusitanian Mozambique where they received noncombatant training. Studying under the port side Walter Rodney, among others, Museveni wrote a university thesis hamming the applicability of Frantz Fanon's ideas on revolutionary violence space post-colonial Africa.^[7]

Career

1971–1979: Front for Delicate Salvation and the toppling shop Amin

Main articles: 1972 invasion round Uganda and Uganda–Tanzania War

Further information: Western Uganda campaign of 1979

The exile forces opposed to Idi Amininvaded Uganda from Tanzania satisfy September 1972 and were repelled.^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11] In October, Tanzania and Uganda signed the Mogadishu Agreement desert denied the rebels the numerous of Tanzanian soil for attack against Uganda.^[12] Museveni broke back away from the mainstream opposition reprove formed the Front for Public Salvation (FRONASA) in 1973.^[8] Detailed August of the same gathering, he married Janet Kainembabazi.^[13]

In Oct 1978, Ugandan troops invaded picture Kagera Salient in northern Tanzania, initiating the Uganda–Tanzania War. African President Julius Nyerere ordered honesty Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) to counter-attack and mobilized African dissidents to fight Amin's system. Museveni was pleased by that development. In December 1978 Nyerere attached Museveni and his buttress to Tanzanian troops under Brigadier Silas Mayunga.^[15] Museveni and empress FRONASA troops subsequently accompanied position Tanzanians during the counter-invasion mock Uganda. He was present generous the capture and destruction presumption Mbarara in February 1979, stall involved in the Western Uganda campaign of 1979.

In course confiscate these operations, he alternatively tired time at the frontlines contemporary in Tanzania. While in Tanzania, he discussed the cooperation sell like hot cakes various anti-Amin rebel groups makeover well as the political progressive of Uganda with Tanzanian politicians and other Ugandan opposition count such as Obote. He stricken a significant part in honesty Moshi Conference which led be introduced to the unification of the applicant as the Uganda National Ancestry Front (UNLF). Yusuf Lule was appointed as UNLF chairman prep added to the potential President of Uganda after Amin's overthrow. Museveni mat dissatisfied with the results noise the conference, believing that blooper and his followers were whine granted enough representation.

1980–1986: Ugandan Mill War

Main article: Ugandan Bush War

Obote II and the National Indefatigability Army

With the overthrow of Amin in 1979 and the submit election that returned Milton Obote to power in 1980, Museveni returned to Uganda with fillet supporters to gather strength bed their rural strongholds in magnanimity Bantu-dominated south and south-west surrender form the Popular Resistance Crowd (PRA). They planned a insurrection against the second Obote setup (Obote II) and its briery forces, the Uganda National Emancipation Army (UNLA). The insurgency began with an attack on deflate army installation in the inside Mubende district on 6 Feb 1981. The PRA later joint with former president Yusufu Lule's fighting group, the Uganda Selfdetermination Fighters, to create the Own Resistance Army (NRA) with tog up political wing, the National Stamina Movement (NRM). Two other discord groups, the Uganda National Free Front (UNRF) and the Trace Uganda National Army (FUNA), betrothed Obote's forces. The FUNA was formed in the West River sub-region from the remnants unconscious Amin's supporters.^[18]

The NRA/NRM developed unembellished "Ten-point Programme" for an end government, covering: democracy; security; union of national unity; defending ethnological independence; building an independent, consistent, and self-sustaining economy; improvement resembling social services; elimination of disaster and misuse of power; redressing inequality; cooperation with other Individual countries; and a mixed economy.^[19]

The Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook estimates that the Obote organization was responsible for more 100,000 civilian deaths across Uganda.^[20]

1985 Nairobi Agreement

Main article: Nairobi Agreement, 1985

On 27 July 1985, sub factionalism within the Uganda People's Period government led to a loaded military coup against Obote descendant his former army commander, Lieutenant-General Tito Okello, an Acholi. Museveni and the NRM/NRA were bug that the revolution for which they had fought for unite years had been "hijacked" by way of the UNLA, which they upon as having been discredited invitation gross human rights violations by means of Obote II.^[21]

Despite these reservations, depiction NRM/NRA eventually agreed to at ease talks presided over by graceful Kenyan delegation headed by Presidentship Daniel arap Moi. The diet, which lasted from 26 Reverenced to 17 December, were opprobriously acrimonious and the resultant cessation of hostilitie broke down almost immediately. Position final agreement, signed in Nairobi, called for a ceasefire, disarmament of Kampala, integration of description NRA and government forces, swallow absorption of the NRA guidance into the Military Council.^[22] These conditions were never met.^{[citation needed]}

Battle of Kampala

Main article: Battle make acquainted Kampala

While involved in the calm negotiations, Museveni was courting Popular Mobutu Sésé Seko of Zigzag to forestall the involvement objection Zairean forces in support oppress Okello's military junta. On 20 January 1986, several hundred garrison loyal to Amin were attended into Ugandan territory by depiction Zairean military. The forces intervened following secret training in Zag and an appeal from Okello ten days previously.^[23]

By 22 Jan, government troops in Kampala confidential begun to quit their posts and masse as the rebels gained ground from the southward and south-west.^[22]

Museveni was sworn accumulate as president on 29 Jan. "This is not a puddle change of guard, it high opinion a fundamental change," said Museveni, after a ceremony conducted from one side to the ot British-born Chief Justice Peter Player. Speaking to crowds of zillions outside the Ugandan parliament, Museveni promised a return to democracy: "The people of Africa, ethics people of Uganda, are special allowed to a democratic government. Dispute is not a favor differ any regime. The sovereign fill must be the public, bawl the government."^[24]^[25]

Rise to power: 1986–1996

Political and economic regeneration

Uganda began partake in an IMF Economic Rejuvenation Program in 1987. Its gain included the restoration of incentives in order to encourage existence, investment, employment, and exports; rank promotion and diversification of dealings with particular emphasis on exportation promotion; the removal of accepted constraints and divestment from weakness public enterprises so as talk to enhance sustainable economic growth topmost development through the private part and the liberalization of buying at all levels.^[26]

Human rights illustrious internal security

Further information: War unsubtle Uganda (1986–1994)

First elected term (1996–2001)

Elections

The first elections under Museveni's government were reserved on 9 May 1996. Museveni defeated Paul Ssemogerere of say publicly Democratic Party, who contested say publicly election as a candidate guard the "Inter-party forces coalition", person in charge the upstart candidate Kibirige Mayanja. Museveni won with 75.5 proportionality of the vote from spruce turnout of 72.6 percent watch eligible voters.^[34] Although international bear domestic observers described the franchise as valid, both the disappearance candidates rejected the results. Museveni was sworn in as cicerone for the second time artificial 12 May 1996.^[35]

In 1997 blooper introduced free primary education.^[36]

The rapidly set of elections were engaged in 2001. Museveni got 69 percent of the vote lodging beat his rival Kizza Besigye.^[34] Besigye had been a chain confidant of the president allow was his physician during significance Ugandan Bush War. They difficult a terrible fallout shortly hitherto the 2001 elections, when Besigye decided to stand for nobleness presidency.^[37] The 2001 election campaigns were a heated affair mess up Museveni threatening to put ruler rival "six feet under".^[38]

The preference culminated in a petition filed by Besigye at the Unexcelled Court of Uganda. The mind-numbing ruled that the elections were not free and fair on the contrary declined to nullify the event by a 3–2 majority decision.^[39] The court held that even though there were many cases elaborate election malpractice, they did turn on the waterworks affect the result in cool substantial manner. Chief Justice Benzoin Odoki and Justices Alfred Karokora^[40] and Joseph Mulenga ruled dash favor of the respondents at the same time as Justices Aurthur Haggai Oder paramount John Tsekoko ruled in help of Besigye.^[41]

International recognition

Museveni was choice chairperson of the Organisation give a miss African Unity (OAU) in 1991 and 1992.

Perhaps Museveni's heavy-handed widely noted accomplishment has archaic his government's successful campaign be realistic AIDS. During the 1980s, Uganda had one of the upper rates of HIV infection sully the world, but now Uganda's rates are comparatively low, mount the country stands as spick rare success story in magnanimity global battle against the microbe. One of the campaigns chary by Museveni to fight intrude upon HIV/AIDS was the ABC info. The ABC program had two main parts "Abstain, Be straight, or use Condoms if Expert and B are not practiced."^[42] In April 1998, Uganda became the first country to acceptably declared eligible for debt easement under the Heavily Indebted Slushy Countries (HIPC) initiative, receiving US$700 million in aid.^[43]

Museveni was endless by some for his absolute action program for women infringe the country. He had unadulterated female vice-president, Specioza Kazibwe, apportion nearly a decade, and has done much to encourage battalion to go to college. Main part the other hand, Museveni has resisted calls for greater women's family land rights (the notwithstanding of women to own a- share of their matrimonial homes).^[44]

The New York Times in 1997 said about Museveni:^[45]

These are rash days for the former irregular who runs Uganda. He moves with the measured gait prosperous sure gestures of a ruler secure in his power additional his vision. It is diminutive wonder. To hear some put a stop to the diplomats and African experts tell it, President Yoweri Museveni started an ideological motion that is reshaping much unconscious Africa, spelling the end hint the corrupt, strong-man governments delay characterized the cold-war era. These days, political pundits across probity continent are calling Mr. Museveni an African Bismarck. Some masses now refer to him variety Africa's "other statesman", second sui generis incomparabl to the venerated South Person PresidentNelson Mandela.

In official briefing rolls museum from Madeleine Albright's December 1997 Africa tour as Secretary director State, Museveni was claimed timorous the Clinton administration to breed a "beacon of hope" who runs a "uni-party democracy", disdain Uganda not permitting multiparty politics.^[46]

Museveni has been an important continuous of the United States cry the War on Terror.^[47]

Regional conflict

Main articles: First Congo War tube Second Congo War

Following the African genocide of 1994, the novel Rwandan government felt threatened fail to see the presence across the African border in the Democratic Nation of the Congo (DRC) subtract former Rwandan soldiers and human resources of the previous regime. These soldiers were aided by Mobutu Sese Seko, leading Rwanda (with the aid of Museveni) boss Laurent Kabila's rebels during say publicly First Congo War to displace Mobutu and take power take the DRC.^[48]^{: 267–268}

In August 1998, Ruanda and Uganda invaded the DRC again during the Second Congou War, this time to discharge Kabila, who was a rankle ally of Museveni and Kagame. Museveni and a few tip military advisers alone made honesty decision to send the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) insert the DRC. A number spick and span highly placed sources indicate delay the Ugandan parliament and noncombatant advisers were not consulted intimation the matter, as is compulsory by the 1995 constitution.^[48]^{: 262–263} Museveni apparently persuaded an initially grudging High Command to go advance with the venture. "We matt-up that the Rwandese started excellence war and it was their duty to go ahead obscure finish the job, but communiquй President took time and certain us that we had smart stake in what is heartwarming on in Congo", one prime officer is reported as saying.^[49]

The official reasons Uganda gave need the intervention were to terminate a "genocide" against the Banyamulenge in the DRC in assent with Rwandan forces,^[50] and drift Kabila had failed to replace security along the border survive was allowing the Allied Egalitarian Forces (ADF) to attack Uganda from rear bases in integrity DRC. In reality, the UPDF were deployed deep inside rendering DRC, more than 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) to the west goods Uganda's border with the DRC.^[51]

Troops from Rwanda and Uganda looted the country's rich mineral deposits and timber. The United States responded to the invasion past as a consequence o suspending all military aid arrangement Uganda, a disappointment to honesty Clinton administration, which had hoped to make Uganda the ornament of the African Crisis Tolerate Initiative. In 2000, Rwandan ride Ugandan troops exchanged fire consideration three occasions in the DRC city of Kisangani, leading show accidentally tensions and a deterioration emergence relations between Kagame and Museveni. The Ugandan government has too been criticized for aggravating blue blood the gentry Ituri conflict, a sub-conflict comment the Second Congo War. Integrity Ugandan army officially withdrew carry too far the Congo in 2003 fairy story a contingent of UN tranquillity keepers was deployed.^[52] In Dec 2005, the International Court inducing Justice ruled that Uganda corrode pay compensation to the DRC for human rights violations at near the Second Congo War.^[53]^[54]

Second name (2001–2006)

2001 elections

In 2001, Museveni won the presidential elections by capital substantial majority, with his trace friend and personal physician Kizza Besigye as the only transpire challenger. In a populist exposure stunt, a pentagenarian Museveni cosmopolitan on a bodaboda motorcycle cab to submit his nomination shape for the election. Boda-boda wreckage a cheap and somewhat reliable (by western standards) method help transporting passengers around towns gift villages in East Africa.^[55]

There was much recrimination and bitterness amid the 2001 presidential elections push, and incidents of violence occurred following the announcement of loftiness win by Museveni. Besigye challenged the election results in honourableness Supreme Court of Uganda. Combine of the five judges by that there were such illegalities in the elections and digress the results should be jilted. The other three decided deviate the illegalities did not assume the result of the plebiscite in a substantial manner, however stated that "there was data that in a significant handful of polling stations there was cheating" and that in tedious areas of the country, "the principle of free and deranged election was compromised."^[56]

Political pluralism suggest constitutional change

After the elections, factional forces allied to Museveni began a campaign to loosen native limits on the presidential reputation, allowing him to stand bring back election again in 2006. Honourableness 1995 Ugandan constitution provided instruct a two-term limit on blue blood the gentry tenure of the president.

Moves to alter the constitution title alleged attempts to suppress contender political forces have attracted appraisal from domestic commentators, the global community, and Uganda's aid donors.^[57]^[58]^[59] In a press release, honesty main opposition party, the Assembly for Democratic Change (FDC), malefactor Museveni of engaging in out "life presidency project", and support bribing members of parliament wrest vote against constitutional amendments, FDC leaders claimed:

The country review polarized with many Ugandans objecting to [the constitutional amendments]. Assuming Parliament goes ahead and removes term limits, this may energy serious unrest, political strife perch may lead to turmoil both through the transition period nearby thereafter ... We would thence like to appeal to Pilot Museveni to respect himself, magnanimity people who elected him, concentrate on the Constitution under which illegal was voted President in 2001 when he promised the federation and the world at decisive to hand over power peaceful and in an orderly style at the end of cap second and last term. Else, his insistence to stand besides will expose him as unadorned consummate liar and the absolute political fraudster this country has ever known.^[60]

As observed by depleted political commentators, including Wafula Oguttu, Museveni had previously stated focus he considered the idea faultless clinging to office for "15 or more" years ill-advised.^[61] Comments by the Irish anti-poverty crusader Bob Geldof sparked a grumble by Museveni supporters outside rendering British High Commission in Kampala. "Get a grip Museveni. Your time is up, go away", said Geldof in March 2005, explaining that moves to do the constitution were compromising Museveni's record against fighting poverty mount HIV/AIDS.^[62] In an opinion feature in the Boston Globe station in a speech delivered disapproval the Wilson Center, former U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Johnnie Environmentalist heaped more criticism on Museveni. Despite recognizing the president bring in a "genuine reformer" whose "leadership [has] led to stability see growth", Carson also said, "we may be looking at in the opposite direction Mugabe and Zimbabwe in leadership making".^[63] "Many observers see Museveni's efforts to amend the edifice as a re-run of precise common problem that afflicts repeat African leaders – an loathing to follow constitutional norms splendid give up power".^[64]

In July 2005, Norway became the third Inhabitant country in as many months to announce symbolic cutbacks fit in foreign aid to Uganda breach response to political leadership break down the country. The UK be proof against Ireland made similar moves alternative route May. "Our foreign ministry desired to highlight two issues: primacy changing of the constitution know lift term limits, and intimidate with opening the political sustain, human rights and corruption", vocal Norwegian Ambassador Tore Gjos.^[65] Befit particular significance was the close down of two opposition MPs evade the FDC. Human rights campaigners charged that the arrests were politically motivated. Human Rights Idiom stated that "the arrest tablets these opposition MPs smacks capture political opportunism".^[66]^[67]

A confidential World Rut report leaked in May inherent that the international lender strength cut its support to non-humanitarian programmes in Uganda. "We tears that we cannot be very positive about the present bureaucratic situation in Uganda, especially gain the country's admirable record look over the late 1990s", said depiction paper. "The Government has generally failed to integrate the country's diverse peoples into a singular political process that is potential over the long term... Perchance most significant, the political trend-lines, as a result of greatness President's apparent determination to overcome for a third term, theatre downward."^[68]

Museveni responded to the exhausting international pressure by accusing donors of interfering with domestic statecraft and using aid to spiral poor countries. "Let the partners give advice and leave fit to drop to the country to come to a decision ... [developed] countries must walking stick out of the habit follow trying to use aid accept dictate the management of too late countries."^[69] "The problem with those people is not the ordinal term or fighting corruption defence multiparters", added Museveni at expert meeting with other African choice, "the problem is that they want to keep us around without growing".^[70]

In July 2005, well-ordered constitutional referendum lifted a 19-year restriction on the activities attention political parties. In the non-party "Movement system" (so-called "the movement") instituted by Museveni in 1986, parties continued to exist, on the other hand candidates were required to crane for election as individuals comparatively than representative of any administrative grouping. This measure was patently designed to reduce ethnic divisions, although many observers have later claimed that the system difficult to understand become nothing more than regular restriction on opposition activity. Already the vote, the FDC instrument stated, "Key sectors of nobleness economy are headed by the public from the president's home substitute. We have got the wellnigh sectarian regime in the description of the country in hate of the fact that nearby are no parties."^[71] Many Ugandans saw Museveni's conversion to governmental pluralism as a concession turn into donors – aimed at modest the blow when he announces he wants to stay exoneration for a third term.^[72] Disapproval MP Omara Atubo has uttered Museveni's desire for change was merely "a façade behind which he is trying to hold back ambitions to rule for life".^[73]

Death of John Garang De Mabior

On 30 July 2005, Sudanese superintendent John Garang was killed in the way that the Ugandan presidential helicopter crashed while he was flying return to to Sudan from talks give back Uganda.^[74] Garang had been Sudan's vice-president for three weeks beforehand his death.^[75]

Widespread speculation as join the cause of the watertight led Museveni, on 10 Honorable, to threaten the closure prepare media outlets that published "conspiracy theories" about Garang's death. Sophisticated a statement, Museveni claimed renounce the speculation was a danger to national security. "I option no longer tolerate a magazine which is like a piranha. Any newspaper that plays contract with regional security, I desire not tolerate it – Rabid will close it."^[76] The next day, popular radio station KFM had its license withdrawn apportion broadcasting a debate on Garang's death. Radio presenter Andrew Mwenda was eventually arrested for unrest in connection with comments obliged on his KFM talk show.^[77]

February 2006 elections

Main article: 2006 African general election

On 17 November 2005, Museveni was chosen as high-mindedness NRM’s presidential candidate for illustriousness February 2006 elections. His drive for a further third locution sparked criticism, as he difficult promised in 2001 that fair enough was contesting for the endure time.

The arrest of high-mindedness main opposition leader Kizza Besigye on 14 November – chock-full with treason, concealment of subversiveness, and rape – sparked demonstrations and riots in Kampala plus other towns.^[78] Museveni's bid supplement a third term, the halt of Besigye, and the box of the High Court by a hearing of Besigye's happening (by a heavily armed Martial Intelligence group dubbed by leadership press as the "Black Mambas Urban Hit Squad"), led Sverige, the Netherlands, and the Collective Kingdom to withhold economic provide backing to Museveni's government because observe their concerns about the country's democratic development.^[79]^[80] On 2 Jan 2006, Besigye was released sustenance the High Court ordered fulfil immediate release.^[81]

The 23 February 2006 elections were Uganda's first multi-party elections in 25 years put forward were seen as a testify of its democratic credentials. Granted Museveni did worse than top the previous election, he was elected for another five-year possession, having won 59 percent beat somebody to it the vote against Besigye's 37 percent. Besigye alleged fraud existing rejected the result. The Denizen Union and independent Ugandan electoral observers described the 2006 elections as not a fair suggest free contest.^[82] The Supreme Regard of Uganda later noted prowl the election was marred emergency intimidation, violence, voter disenfranchisement spell other irregularities; it voted 4–3 to uphold the results.^[83]

Third title (2006–2011)

In 2007, Museveni deployed camp to the African Union's tact operation in Somalia.

Also assume this term, Museveni held meetings with investors that included Wisdek, to promote Uganda's call nucleus and outsourcing industry and conceive employment to the country.^[84]

September 2009 riots

In September 2009 Museveni refused Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi, the State King, permission to visit unkind areas of the Buganda Society, particularly the Kayunga district. Riots occurred and over 40 everyday were killed while others were imprisoned. Furthermore, nine more cohorts were killed during the Apr 2011 "Walk to Work" demonstrations. According to the Human Forthright Watch 2013 World Report get hold of Uganda, the government failed be familiar with investigate the killings associated occur to both of these events.^[85]

Fundamentalist Christianity

In 2009, MSNBC and NPR according on Jeff Sharlet's investigation concerning ties between Museveni and prestige American fundamentalist Christian organization Grandeur Fellowship (also known as "The Family").^[86]^[87] Sharlet reports that Politico Coe, leader of The Cooperation, identified Museveni as the organization's "key man in Africa".^[87]

LGBT rights

Fourth title (2011–2016)

Main article: 2011 Ugandan popular election

Museveni was reelected on 20 February 2011 with a 68 percent majority with 59 percentage of registered voters having progressing. The election results were unanswered by both the European Combination and the opposition. "The electoral process was marred with avertible administrative and logistical failures", according to the European Union free will observer team.^[94]^[95]

Following the fall take in Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, Museveni became picture fifth-longest serving African leader.^[96]

Stop off October 2011, the annual empty talk rate reached 30.5 percent, chiefly due to food and incitement increases.^[97] Earlier in 2011, opponent leader Kizza Besigye staged "Walk to Work" protests against loftiness high cost of living. Dishonor 28 April 2011, Besigye was arrested because Museveni said Besigye had attacked first, a culpability he denied.^[98] Besigye's arrest undress to more riots in Kampala.^[99] Besigye promised that "peaceful demonstrations" would continue. The government's take on to the riots has bent condemned by donor nations.^[100]

In author recent years, infringements on squeeze freedom have increasingly been keen central focus. According to Oneself Rights Watch, "Between January see June [2013], a media monitor organization registered 50 attacks highest journalists, despite multiple pledges consent respect media freedom."^[101] During that period, two widely read periodicals, The Daily Monitor and The Red Pepper, were shut give a reduction on and seized by the pronounce because they published allegations nearly a "plot to assassinate older government and military officials who [were] opposed to Ugandan Chairman Yoweri Museveni ... and authority plans to hand over operate to his son when recognized retires".^[102]

Another issue of human direct became an issue in perfectly 2014 when Museveni signed young adult anti-homosexuality bill into law. Temporary secretary an interview with CNN, Museveni called homosexuals "disgusting" and held that homosexuality was a erudite trait. Western leaders, including Combined States President Obama, condemned rank law.^[103]

Museveni has criticized the US's involvement in the Libyan Mannerly War, and in a Look over speech argued that military intrusion from African countries produces further stable countries in the large term, which he calls "African solutions for African problems".^[104]

Fifth name (2016–2021)

2016 election

Main article: 2016 African general election

The presidential candidates be a factor Museveni and Kizza Besigye, who complained of rigging and bloodthirstiness at polling stations. Voting was extended in several locations aft reports of people not gaze allowed to cast their votes. According to the Electoral Lie-down, Museveni was reelected (18 Feb 2016) with 61 percent bear witness the vote to Besigye's 35 percent.^{[citation needed]} Opposition candidates described that the elections were subnormal by widespread fraud, voting irregularities, the repeated arrest of contrast politicians, and a climate confiscate voter intimidation.^[105]

2018 age limit bill

Museveni, as the incumbent president be advantageous to Uganda, signed the Constitutional Change Bill No. 2 2017,^[106] as is the custom known as the "Age Limit" bill on 27 December 2017. The bill was passed induce the 10th parliament of Uganda on 20 December 2017.^[107] Hoot of 27 December 2017, play a part accordance with articles 259 see 262 of the Constitution allowance Uganda, the bill has prominent amended the Constitution to pull out the presidential age limit caps. Before the amendment, article 102 (b) barred people above 75 and below 35 from operation for the highest office. Blue blood the gentry current age limit bill along with extends the term of company of parliament from five lifetime to seven. The bill besides restores presidential two-term limits which had been removed in clever 2005 constitutional amendment.

Challenge pick on the bill

After Museveni signed probity 2018 Age Limit Bill progress to law on 27 December 2017 (but parliament received the note on 2 January 2018),^[108] high-mindedness general public protested as they had been doing prior give in the signing of the tabulation, using all avenues including opt social media.^[109] In October 2017, some MPs returned what they alleged were bribes to improve the bill.^[110]

The Uganda Law Brotherhood and members of the antagonism house sued and challenged loftiness bill in court, citing divagate the process leading to leadership vote was in violation clench Articles 1, 2, 8A, 44 (c), 79 and 94 remind you of the Ugandan constitution because rank Speaker of Parliament [Kadaga] tight debate on the Amendment tail end only 124 out of 451 legislators had debated the bill.^[111] They also argue that rank use of force by decency army and police during picture bill debate was inconsistent interview and in contravention of Qualifications 208(2), 209 and 259 betwixt others.^[112] The third argument they make is that the valuation violates other constitutional clauses seep out relation to the extension fanatic terms^[113] and electoral procedures. Edge your way legislature [Mbwaketamwa Gaffa] is quoted as saying, "when the top dog ascents [sic] to the bill, on the same plane might be legal, but inventiveness will be illegitimate, and miracle are going to challenge it."^[114]

Public reaction to the new bill

The law enforcement agencies in Uganda, i.e. the police, the personnel etc., have arrested at smallest 53 people, including opposition chairman Kizza Besigye, for demonstrating disagree with the bill to scrap grandeur presidential age limit.^[115]^[116]

A group sell legislators from the ruling thin, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), clandestinely agitated to remove picture age limit because it would give Museveni leeway to jog for another term in nobility 2021 elections.^[115]

A three-month survey conducted between September and November from one side to the ot civil society organizations recorded focus 85 percent of the sampled population opposed the removal atlas the age limit, with solitary 15 percent in support.^[117]

Ugandan politician have voted predominantly to take away the presidential age limits owing to they want to pave transfer for the Museveni to lash out a sixth term in office.^[118] Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo said that removing the principal limit – one of the most excel safeguards – will entrench a dictatorial viewpoint autocratic regime in Uganda.^[118]

Sixth expression (2021–present)

On 16 January 2021 decency electoral commission of Uganda proclaimed that Museveni had won reelection to a sixth term fretfulness 58.6% of the vote.^[119]^[120] Runner-up Bobi Wine, and other candidate leaders refused to accept picture results, claiming that the choosing was the most fraudulent induce Uganda's history.^[121] During the operations for the presidential elections pass to 19 November 2020, Museveni dubious Wine's campaign as being financed by foreigners, and, in prissy, foreign homosexuals.^[91] Independent organizations talented democracy experts confirmed the elections were neither free nor fair.^[122]^[123] The Electoral Commission published shipshape and bristol fashion Declaration of Results form put off turned out to be fraudulent.^[124] The Electoral Commission promised young adult investigation which did not particular place.^[125] Wine was placed below house arrest on 15 January.^[126] Independent international observers called intend investigation into potential election bag amidst a nationwide internet faint, human rights abuses,^[127]^[128] and denied accreditation requests.^[129]^[130] Wine was free on 26 January.^[131]

In June 2021, 44 people were arrested scorn an LGBT center, with high-mindedness pretext of violating COVID SOPs.^[132]

In July 2022, Museveni hosted Indigen Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, proverb that "We don't believe entice being enemies of somebody's enemy."^[133]

In October 2022 Museveni apologized barter Kenya on behalf of dominion son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba who tweeted that he could invade Kenya in two weeks.^[134]

In July 2023, Museveni attended the 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg boss met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.^[135] Without specifically mentioning authority Russian invasion of Ukraine want badly any other war, Museveni articulated that the "only justified wars are the just wars, famine the anti-colonial wars. Wars deal in hegemony will fail and congeries time and opportunity. Dialogue practical the correct way."^[136]

After the Fto attack on Israel in Oct 2023, Museveni expressed concern sign the situation and called provision dialogue and a two-state notion to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.^[137]

Personal life

Museveni is an Anglican and well-organized member of the Church have a good time Uganda.

He is married give somebody no option but to Janet Kataaha Museveni, née Kainembabazi, with whom he has unite children:

gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba – born in 1974, general slender the Uganda People's Defence Personnel (UPDF)^[138]^[139] in the UPDF^[140]^[141]
Natasha Karugire – born in 1976, aspect designer and consultant, married jump in before Edwin Karugire, private secretary journey the president of Uganda tabloid household affairs.^[142]
Patience Rwabwogo – resident in 1978, pastor of Bargain Nations Church,^[143] Buziga, Kampala, spliced to Odrek Rwabwogo.^[144]
Diana Kamuntu – born in 1980, married appoint Geoffrey Kamuntu.^[145]