Uganda’s authoritarian president running for re-election

Uganda’s authoritarian leader, President Yoweri Museveni, was confirmed on September 23rd to be running for re-election in January’s presidential election, according to AP News, September 23rd.

Electoral officials declared the president a candidate at an event outside of the Ugandan capital, Kampala, after his party claimed more than two million supporters signed on to back his bid.

Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement controls the national assembly, which is seen as largely weak and subservient to the presidency.

The president first took power by force in 1986 and remained unelected until 1996. The Islamic-state affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), currently linked with attacks in Congo, was originally formed by Ugandan rebels to oppose Museveni.

The ADF relocated to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after military offensives in 2002, where it has been linked to raids in Beni and Lubero districts of North Kivu. Its operations intersect with the ongoing conflict between the Congolese army and the Rwandan-backed M23 insurgency, but its history began as a rebel group in Uganda. 

Since 2001, Ugandan elections have been marred by allegations of rigging and interference by the military, which is now led by Museveni’s son.

In 2017, lawmakers removed a constitutional age limit on the presidency which has allowed the now 81-year-old Museveni to run for as long as he wishes. Hundreds gathered at ceremonial rounds in Kampala to celebrate his nomination on September 23rd.

Museveni carries carries influence across the region, serving as Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, a coalition of 120 states that do not formally align with any major power bloc which emerged at the collapse of Western colonialism.

The president told supporters after his nomination that his goal is “to convince the people of Uganda of what has been achieved in the past and what we are planning to do now.”

He added his priority for Uganda lies in attracting more foreign investors to the country.

AP News, Maghrebi.org