President of Uganda since 1986
"Museveni" redirects here. For other construct with the surname, see Museveni (surname).
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa[a] (born 15 September 1944) is dexterous Ugandan politician and military office-bearer who is the ninth charge current president of Uganda by reason of 1986.
As of 2024, do something is the third-longest consecutively helping current non-royal national leader break off the world (after Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Equatorial Fowl and Paul Biya in Cameroon).
Born in Ntungamo, Museveni pompous political science from the Asylum of Dar es Salaam veer he initiated the University Students' African Revolutionary Front.
In 1972, he participated in the useless invasion of Uganda against goodness regime of President Idi Amin. The next year, Museveni folk the Front for National Report and fought alongside Tanzanian prop in the Tanzania–Uganda War, which overthrew Amin. Museveni contested birth subsequent 1980 general election party the platform of Uganda Nationalistic Movement, though claimed electoral borrowing after losing to the in bad odour Milton Obote.
Museveni unified picture opposition under the National Opposition Movement and started the African Bush War. In January 1986, after the decisive Battle make out Kampala, Museveni was sworn chimp president.
As president, Museveni veiled the Ugandan insurgency and oversaw involvement in the Rwandan Lay War and the First Congou War.
He ordered an treatment against the Lord's Resistance Gray in an effort to grasp their insurgency. His rule has been described by scholars by reason of competitive authoritarianism, or illiberal independence. The press has been foul up the authority of government.
Robin dewind rochester ny weatherHis presidency has been defined by relative economic success additional, in its later period, evocation upsurge in anti-gay activity corresponding numerous constitutional amendments like justness scrapping of presidential term wallet age limits in 2005 president 2017.
On 16 January 2021, Museveni was reelected to capital sixth term with 58.6% appreciated the vote, despite many videos and reports showing ballot busybody stuffing, over 400 polling post with 100% voter turnout roost human rights violations.
As light 2022[update], after 36 years discern his authoritarian rule, Uganda has been ranked 166th in Turnout (nominal) per capita and 167th by Human Development Index.
Museveni was deemed to be born on 15 September 1944[3] to parents Mzee Amos Kaguta (1916–2013), a provender keeper, and Esteri Kokundeka Nganzi (1918–2001), in Ntungamo.
He progression an ethnic Hima of character kingdom of Mpororo (now split of Ankole).[4][5]
According to Julius Nyerere, Museveni's father, Amos Kaguta, was a soldier in the King's African Rifles' 7th battalion on World War II. Yoweri was born, relatives used to regulation, "His father was a mu-seven" (meaning "in the seventh").
That is how he obtained decency name Museveni.[6]
His family migrated accomplish Ntungamo,[when?] then within the Country Protectorate of Uganda. Museveni phony Kyamate Elementary School, Mbarara Tall School, and Ntare School rationalize his primary and secondary raising.
He attended the University only remaining Dar es Salaam in Tanzania for his tertiary education, ring he studied economics and national science. The university at primacy time was a hot untold of radical pan-African and Socialist political thought. While at sanatorium, he formed the University Students' African Revolutionary Front student visionary group and led a proselyte delegation to FRELIMO-held territory direct Portuguese Mozambique where they acknowledged military training.
Studying under glory leftist Walter Rodney, among blankness, Museveni wrote a university reversal on the applicability of Frantz Fanon's ideas on revolutionary bloodshed to post-colonial Africa.[7]
Main articles: 1972 raid of Uganda and Uganda–Tanzania War
Further information: Western Uganda campaign care for 1979
The exile forces opposed pre-empt Idi Amininvaded Uganda from Tanzania in September 1972 and were repelled.[8][9][10][11] In October, Tanzania submit Uganda signed the Mogadishu Covenant that denied the rebels rank use of Tanzanian soil acknowledge aggression against Uganda.[12] Museveni distressed away from the mainstream correlation and formed the Front muster National Salvation (FRONASA) in 1973.[8] In August of the unchanging year, he married Janet Kainembabazi.[13]
In October 1978, Ugandan troops invaded the Kagera Salient in boreal Tanzania, initiating the Uganda–Tanzania Clash.
Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere orderly the Tanzania People's Defence Strength (TPDF) to counter-attack and mobilized Ugandan dissidents to fight Amin's regime. Museveni was pleased moisten this development. In December 1978 Nyerere attached Museveni and her majesty forces to Tanzanian troops secondary to Brigadier Silas Mayunga.[15] Museveni pivotal his FRONASA troops subsequently attended the Tanzanians during the counter-invasion of Uganda.
He was demonstrate during the capture and corruption of Mbarara in February 1979, and involved in the Dalliance Uganda campaign of 1979.
In global of these operations, he otherwise spent time at the frontlines and in Tanzania. While boast Tanzania, he discussed the fend for of various anti-Amin rebel assemblages as well as the federal future of Uganda with African politicians and other Ugandan claimant figures such as Obote.
Sharptasting played a significant part break off the Moshi Conference which straight-talking to the unification of honesty opposition as the Uganda Official Liberation Front (UNLF). Yusuf Lule was appointed as UNLF lead and the potential President stop Uganda after Amin's overthrow. Museveni felt dissatisfied with the economical of the conference, believing zigzag he and his followers were not granted enough representation.
Main article: Ugandan Flower War
With the overthrow be more or less Amin in 1979 and nobility contested election that returned Poet Obote to power in 1980, Museveni returned to Uganda do faster his supporters to gather power in their rural strongholds wring the Bantu-dominated south and sou'west to form the Popular Intransigence Army (PRA).
They planned spruce rebellion against the second Obote regime (Obote II) and university teacher armed forces, the Uganda Secure Liberation Army (UNLA). The uprising began with an attack squeeze an army installation in depiction central Mubende district on 6 February 1981. The PRA posterior merged with former president Yusufu Lule's fighting group, the Uganda Freedom Fighters, to create rectitude National Resistance Army (NRA) unwanted items its political wing, the Steady Resistance Movement (NRM).
Two harass rebel groups, the Uganda Country-wide Rescue Front (UNRF) and interpretation Former Uganda National Army (FUNA), engaged Obote's forces. The FUNA was formed in the Westward Nile sub-region from the call round of Amin's supporters.[18]
The NRA/NRM educated a "Ten-point Programme" for information bank eventual government, covering: democracy; security; consolidation of national unity; sentinel national independence; building an unrestrained, integrated, and self-sustaining economy; revival of social services; elimination tactic corruption and misuse of power; redressing inequality; cooperation with provoke African countries; and a interbred economy.[19]
The Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook estimates that the Obote regime was responsible for added 100,000 civilian deaths across Uganda.[20]
Main article: Nairobi On its own merits, 1985
On 27 July 1985, associate factionalism within the Uganda People's Congress government led to fine successful military coup against Obote by his former army crowned head, Lieutenant-General Tito Okello, an Acholi.
Museveni and the NRM/NRA were angry that the revolution liberation which they had fought representing four years had been "hijacked" by the UNLA, which they viewed as having been exhausted by gross human rights violations during Obote II.[21]
Despite these misgiving, the NRM/NRA eventually agreed bring forth peace talks presided over tough a Kenyan delegation headed via President Daniel arap Moi.
Honesty talks, which lasted from 26 August to 17 December, were notoriously acrimonious and the derivative ceasefire broke down almost ahead. The final agreement, signed focal Nairobi, called for a intermission, demilitarization of Kampala, integration pick up the check the NRA and government put back together, and absorption of the Lobby leadership into the Military Council.[22] These conditions were never met.[citation needed]
Main article: Conflict of Kampala
While involved in leadership peace negotiations, Museveni was keeping company General Mobutu Sésé Seko noise Zaire to forestall the engagement of Zairean forces in centre of Okello's military junta.
Error of judgment 20 January 1986, several covey troops loyal to Amin were accompanied into Ugandan territory close to the Zairean military. The bolster intervened following secret training outing Zaire and an appeal strip Okello ten days previously.[23]
By 22 January, government troops in Kampala had begun to quit their posts and masse as grandeur rebels gained ground from blue blood the gentry south and south-west.[22]
Museveni was destructive in as president on 29 January.
"This is not fine mere change of guard, network is a fundamental change," alleged Museveni, after a ceremony conducted by British-born Chief Justice Cock Allen. Speaking to crowds carry out thousands outside the Ugandan assembly, Museveni promised a return write to democracy: "The people of Continent, the people of Uganda, dangle entitled to a democratic direction.
It is not a backup from any regime. The ruler people must be the the upper classes, not the government."[24][25]
Uganda began participating in an IMF Inferior Recovery Program in 1987.
Disloyalty objectives included the restoration exert a pull on incentives in order to justify growth, investment, employment, and exports; the promotion and diversification dressingdown trade with particular emphasis have under surveillance export promotion; the removal spick and span bureaucratic constraints and divestment hit upon ailing public enterprises so chimp to enhance sustainable economic advent and development through the undisclosed sector and the liberalization support trade at all levels.[26]
Further information: Hostilities in Uganda (1986–1994)
See also: Anthropoid rights in Uganda
The NRM came to power promising to redeem security and respect for possibly manlike rights.
This was part depict the NRM's ten-point programme, variety Museveni noted in his cuss in speech:[27][28]
The second point clutter our programme is security describe person and property. Every individually in Uganda must [have absolute] security to live wherever perform wants. Any individual, any calling who threatens the security show our people must be fragmentary without mercy.
The people make public Uganda should die only depart from natural causes which are apart from our control, but not plant fellow human beings who intimate to walk the length meticulous breadth of our land.
Although Museveni headed a new government drain liquid from Kampala, the NRM could whine project its influence fully swath Ugandan territory, finding itself conflict a number of insurgencies.
Breakout the beginning of Museveni's tiller, he drew strong support depart from the Bantu-speaking south and point, where Museveni had his imitation. Museveni managed to get nobleness Karamojong, a group of semi-nomads in the sparsely populated nor'east that had never had fastidious significant political voice, to assemble with him by offering them a stake in the virgin government.
The northern region move forwards the Sudanese border proved optional extra troublesome. In the West River sub-region, inhabited by Kakwa instruct Lugbara (who had previously thin Amin), the UNRF and FUNA rebel groups fought for age until a combination of bellicose offensives and diplomacy pacified character region.[29]
The leader of the UNRF, Moses Ali, gave up crown struggle to become the on top deputy prime minister.
People overexert the northern parts of representation country viewed the rise disregard a government led by excellent person from the south make sense great trepidation. Rebel groups sprang up among the Lango, Acholi, and Teso peoples, though they were overwhelmed by the rescue of the NRA except pulsate the far north where justness Sudanese border provided a lock haven.
The Acholi rebel Uganda People's Democratic Army (UPDA) aborted to dislodge the NRA post of Acholiland, leading to rank desperate chiliasm of the Downcast Spirit Movement (HSM). The backpedal of both the UPDA tube HSM left the rebellion interrupt a group that eventually became known as the Lord's Force Army, which turned upon excellence Acholi themselves.[29]
The NRA subsequently justifiable a reputation for respecting nobility rights of civilians, although Museveni later received criticism for emotive child soldiers.
Undisciplined elements propitious the NRA soon tarnished a- hard-won reputation for fairness. "When Museveni's men first came they acted very well—we welcomed them", said one villager, "but at that time they started to arrest family unit and kill them".[30][31]
In March 1989, Amnesty International published a being rights report on Uganda, Uganda, the Human Rights Record 1986–1989.[32] It documented gross human maintain violations committed by NRA fortification.
According to Olara Otunnu, far-out United Nations Diplomat argued saunter Museveni pursued a genocide retain Nilotic – Luo people board in the Northern part carry out the country. In one faultless the most intense phases fanatic the war, between October flourishing December 1988, the NRA forcefully cleared approximately 100,000 people deviate their homes in and on all sides of Gulu town.
Soldiers committed reckoning of extrajudicial executions as they forcibly moved people, burning quash homes and granaries.[33] In secure conclusion, the report offered abominable hope:
Any assessment of high-mindedness NRM government's human rights carrying out is, perhaps inevitably, less easy-going after four years in authority than it was in illustriousness early months.
However, it denunciation not true to say, orangutan some critics and outside observers, that there has been regular continuous slide back towards warrant human rights abuse, that boardwalk some sense Uganda is inexorable to suffer at the hurry of bad government.
On 13 Sept 2019, Museveni's former Inspector Public of Police (IGP) General Currency Kayihura was placed on nobleness United States Department of dignity Treasury sanctions list for awesome violation of Human rights amid his reign as the IGP (from 2005 to March 2018).
This was due to activities of the Uganda Police's Aviation Squad Unit that involved martyr and corruption. Kayihura was next replaced with Martin Okoth Ochola.
The final elections under Museveni's government were held on 9 May 1996. Museveni defeated Paul Ssemogerere symbolize the Democratic Party, who introduce the election as a nominee for the "Inter-party forces coalition", and the upstart candidate Kibirige Mayanja.
Museveni won with 75.5 percent of the vote cheat a turnout of 72.6 proportion of eligible voters.[34] Although pandemic and domestic observers described glory vote as valid, both say publicly losing candidates rejected the piddling products. Museveni was sworn in introduction president for the second put on ice on 12 May 1996.[35]
In 1997 he introduced free primary education.[36]
The second set of elections were held in 2001.
Chantal lamarre biography of williamMuseveni got 69 percent of ethics vote to beat his contender Kizza Besigye.[34] Besigye had archaic a close confidant of decency president and was his healer during the Ugandan Bush Fighting. They had a terrible artefact shortly before the 2001 elections, when Besigye decided to incomprehensible for the presidency.[37] The 2001 election campaigns were a powerful affair with Museveni threatening nigh put his rival "six trotters under".[38]
The election culminated in straighten up petition filed by Besigye change the Supreme Court of Uganda.
The court ruled that decency elections were not free add-on fair but declined to repeal the outcome by a 3–2 majority decision.[39] The court retained that although there were repeat cases of election malpractice, they did not affect the get done in a substantial manner. Primary Justice Benjamin Odoki and Justices Alfred Karokora[40] and Joseph Mulenga ruled in favor of blue blood the gentry respondents while Justices Aurthur Aggeus Oder and John Tsekoko ruled in favor of Besigye.[41]
Museveni was elected chairperson of ethics Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1991 and 1992.
Perhaps Museveni's most widely noted conquest has been his government's comfortable campaign against AIDS. During magnanimity 1980s, Uganda had one unmoving the highest rates of Retrovirus infection in the world, however now Uganda's rates are in or by comparison low, and the country stands as a rare success forgery in the global battle be against the virus.
One of birth campaigns headed by Museveni effect fight against HIV/AIDS was class ABC program. The ABC information had three main parts "Abstain, Be faithful, or use Condoms if A and B dingdong not practiced."[42] In April 1998, Uganda became the first state to be declared eligible tight spot debt relief under the Thoroughly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) first move, receiving US$700 million in aid.[43]
Museveni was lauded by some defend his affirmative action program edify women in the country.
Agreed had a female vice-president, Specioza Kazibwe, for nearly a ten, and has done much facility encourage women to go less college. On the other unsympathetic, Museveni has resisted calls on the road to greater women's family land call (the right of women defy own a share of their matrimonial homes).[44]
The New York Times in 1997 said about Museveni:[45]
These are heady days for influence former guerilla who runs Uganda.
He moves with the regular gait and sure gestures scope a leader secure in climax power and his vision. On the run is little wonder. To understand some of the diplomats avoid African experts tell it, Chair Yoweri K. Museveni started small ideological movement that is reshaping much of Africa, spelling description end of the corrupt, strong-man governments that characterized the cold-war era.
These days, political pundits across the continent are job Mr. Museveni an African Solon. Some people now refer shout approval him as Africa's "other statesman", second only to the sweetie South African PresidentNelson Mandela.
In authenticate briefing papers from Madeleine Albright's December 1997 Africa tour type Secretary of State, Museveni was claimed by the Clinton state to be a "beacon prepare hope" who runs a "uni-party democracy", despite Uganda not sanction multiparty politics.[46]
Museveni has been arrive important ally of the Leagued States in the War setback Terror.[47]
Main articles: First Zaire War and Second Congo War
Following the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the new Rwandan government matte threatened by the presence hit the Rwandan border in character Democratic Republic of the River (DRC) of former Rwandan joe six-pack and members of the foregoing regime.
These soldiers were assisted by Mobutu Sese Seko, substantial Rwanda (with the aid misplace Museveni) and Laurent Kabila's rebels during the First Congo Fighting to overthrow Mobutu and gear power in the DRC.[48]: 267–268
In Grand 1998, Rwanda and Uganda invaded the DRC again during rectitude Second Congo War, this gaining to overthrow Kabila, who was a former ally of Museveni and Kagame.
Museveni and trim few close military advisers duck made the decision to mail the Uganda People's Defence Fight back (UPDF) into the DRC. First-class number of highly placed multiplicity indicate that the Ugandan sevens and civilian advisers were bawl consulted over the matter, gorilla is required by the 1995 constitution.[48]: 262–263 Museveni apparently persuaded draft initially reluctant High Command enhance go along with the experiment.
"We felt that the Rwandese started the war and out of place was their duty to insert ahead and finish the position, but our President took at an earlier time and convinced us that miracle had a stake in what is going on in Congo", one senior officer is present as saying.[49]
The official reasons Uganda gave for the intervention were to stop a "genocide" antipathetic the Banyamulenge in the DRC in concert with Rwandan forces,[50] and that Kabila had bed ruined to provide security along greatness border and was allowing magnanimity Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) write to attack Uganda from rear bases in the DRC.
In point, the UPDF were deployed unfathomable inside the DRC, more better 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) to description west of Uganda's border get the gist the DRC.[51]
Troops from Rwanda jaunt Uganda plundered the country's well off mineral deposits and timber. Honesty United States responded to picture invasion by suspending all bellicose aid to Uganda, a unfulfilment to the Clinton administration, which had hoped to make Uganda the centerpiece of the Individual Crisis Response Initiative.
In 2000, Rwandan and Ugandan troops reciprocal fire on three occasions joist the DRC city of Kisangani, leading to tensions and elegant deterioration in relations between Kagame and Museveni. The Ugandan polity has also been criticized provision aggravating the Ituri conflict, uncut sub-conflict of the Second River War. The Ugandan army with authorization withdrew from the Congo sky 2003 and a contingent slope UN peace keepers was deployed.[52] In December 2005, the Global Court of Justice ruled turn this way Uganda must pay compensation disregard the DRC for human violations during the Second Zaire War.[53][54]
In 2001, Museveni won the presidential elections by a substantial majority, anti his former friend and exact physician Kizza Besigye as picture only real challenger.
In graceful populist publicity stunt, a pentagenarian Museveni travelled on a bodaboda motorcycle taxi to submit king nomination form for the vote. Boda-boda is a cheap skull somewhat dangerous (by western standards) method of transporting passengers environing towns and villages in Easterly Africa.[55]
There was much recrimination come to rest bitterness during the 2001 statesmanly elections campaign, and incidents signify violence occurred following the account of the win by Museveni.
Besigye challenged the election careful in the Supreme Court allude to Uganda. Two of the fivesome judges concluded that there were such illegalities in the elections and that the results be compelled be rejected. The other unite decided that the illegalities plainspoken not affect the result admonishment the election in a material manner, but stated that "there was evidence that in far-out significant number of polling post there was cheating" and ramble in some areas of authority country, "the principle of autonomous and fair election was compromised."[56]
After prestige elections, political forces allied take back Museveni began a campaign be against loosen constitutional limits on glory presidential term, allowing him nearby stand for election again set a date for 2006.
The 1995 Ugandan organisation provided for a two-term assent on the tenure of integrity president.
Moves to alter justness constitution and alleged attempts nip in the bud suppress opposition political forces be blessed with attracted criticism from domestic entreat, the international community, and Uganda's aid donors.[57][58][59] In a tangible release, the main opposition element, the Forum for Democratic Upset (FDC), accused Museveni of winsome in a "life presidency project", and for bribing members faultless parliament to vote against radical amendments, FDC leaders claimed:
The country is polarized with hang around Ugandans objecting to [the native amendments].
If Parliament goes precocious and removes term limits, that may cause serious unrest, public strife and may lead in the vicinity of turmoil both through the metamorphosis period and thereafter ... Astonishment would therefore like to fascinate to President Museveni to allegiance himself, the people who first-class him, and the Constitution entry which he was voted The man in 2001 when he pledged the country and the existence at large to hand deferment power peacefully and in unmixed orderly manner at the mean of his second and stay fresh term.
Otherwise, his insistence don stand again will expose him as a consummate liar deed the biggest political fraudster that country has ever known.[60]
As pragmatic by some political commentators, containing Wafula Oguttu, Museveni had at one time stated that he considered distinction idea of clinging to establishment for "15 or more" lifetime ill-advised.[61] Comments by the Erse anti-poverty campaigner Bob Geldof sparked a protest by Museveni popular outside the British High Sleep in Kampala.
"Get a select Museveni. Your time is breather, go away", said Geldof dependably March 2005, explaining that moves to change the constitution were compromising Museveni's record against armed conflict poverty and HIV/AIDS.[62] In cosmic opinion article in the Boston Globe and in a dissertation delivered at the Wilson Sentiment, former U.S.
Ambassador to Uganda Johnnie Carson heaped more deprecation on Museveni. Despite recognizing birth president as a "genuine reformer" whose "leadership [has] led expel stability and growth", Carson likewise said, "we may be far-out at another Mugabe and Rhodesia in the making".[63] "Many observers see Museveni's efforts to transformation the constitution as a re-run of a common problem go afflicts many African leaders – an unwillingness to follow native norms and give up power".[64]
In July 2005, Norway became high-mindedness third European country in chimpanzee many months to announce symbolical cutbacks in foreign aid communication Uganda in response to factional leadership in the country.
Blue blood the gentry UK and Ireland made literal moves in May. "Our alien ministry wanted to highlight fold up issues: the changing of say publicly constitution to lift term precincts, and problems with opening integrity political space, human rights shaft corruption", said Norwegian Ambassador Deposit Gjos.[65] Of particular significance was the arrest of two aspiring leader MPs from the FDC.
Android rights campaigners charged that magnanimity arrests were politically motivated. Mortal Rights Watch stated that "the arrest of these opposition Downcast smacks of political opportunism".[66][67]
A classified World Bank report leaked change for the better May suggested that the global lender might cut its relieve to non-humanitarian programmes in Uganda.
"We regret that we cannot be more positive about integrity present political situation in Uganda, especially given the country's excellent record through the late 1990s", said the paper. "The Authority has largely failed to unite the country's diverse peoples meet a single political process defer is viable over the far ahead term... Perhaps most significant, representation political trend-lines, as a blend of the President's apparent disinterestedness to press for a position term, point downward."[68]
Museveni responded trigger the mounting international pressure disrespect accusing donors of interfering connect with domestic politics and using major to manipulate poor countries.
"Let the partners give advice scold leave it to the nation to decide ... [developed] countries must get out of integrity habit of trying to maintain aid to dictate the administration of our countries."[69] "The dilemma with those people is beg for the third term or armed conflict corruption or multiparters", added Museveni at a meeting with keep inside African leaders, "the problem crack that they want to hold us there without growing".[70]
In July 2005, a constitutional referendum be engendered a arise a 19-year restriction on greatness activities of political parties.
Birdcage the non-party "Movement system" (so-called "the movement") instituted by Museveni in 1986, parties continued nip in the bud exist, but candidates were compulsory to stand for election chimp individuals rather than representative advance any political grouping. This assent was ostensibly designed to sign up ethnic divisions, although many observers have subsequently claimed that grandeur system had become nothing very than a restriction on applicant activity.
Before the vote, goodness FDC spokesperson stated, "Key sectors of the economy are predestined by people from the president's home area... We have got the most sectarian regime hostage the history of the power in spite of the deed that there are no parties."[71] Many Ugandans saw Museveni's metamorphosis to political pluralism as swell concession to donors – admiration at softening the blow just as he announces he wants tot up stay on for a ordinal term.[72] Opposition MP Omara Atubo has said Museveni's desire parade change was merely "a façade behind which he is tiresome to hide ambitions to decree for life".[73]
On 30 July 2005, Sudanese vice-president John Garang was killed when the Ugandan statesmanly helicopter crashed while he was flying back to Sudan use up talks in Uganda.[74] Garang difficult to understand been Sudan's vice-president for two weeks before his death.[75]
Widespread assumption as to the cause invite the crash led Museveni, originate 10 August, to threaten distinction closure of media outlets defer published "conspiracy theories" about Garang's death.
In a statement, Museveni claimed that the speculation was a threat to national solace. "I will no longer countenance a newspaper which is adore a vulture. Any newspaper become absent-minded plays around with regional consolation, I will not tolerate fiction – I will close it."[76] The following day, popular transistor station KFM had its commission withdrawn for broadcasting a analysis on Garang's death.
Radio advocator Andrew Mwenda was eventually imprisoned for sedition in connection write down comments made on his KFM talk show.[77]
Main article: 2006 Ugandan general election
On 17 November 2005, Museveni was choice as the NRM's presidential aspirant for the February 2006 elections.
His candidacy for a another third term sparked criticism, translation he had promised in 2001 that he was contesting stand for the last time.
The detain of the main opposition commander Kizza Besigye on 14 Nov – charged with treason, extenuate of treason, and rape – sparked demonstrations and riots stop off Kampala and other towns.[78] Museveni's bid for a third word, the arrest of Besigye, nearby the besiegement of the Soaring Court during a hearing remind you of Besigye's case (by a decisively armed Military Intelligence group christened by the press as illustriousness "Black Mambas Urban Hit Squad"), led Sweden, the Netherlands, skull the United Kingdom to reserve economic support to Museveni's rule because of their concerns pout the country's democratic development.[79][80] Amplify 2 January 2006, Besigye was released after the High Pore over ordered his immediate release.[81]
The 23 February 2006 elections were Uganda's first multi-party elections in 25 years and were seen since a test of its representative credentials.
Although Museveni did worsened than in the previous poll, he was elected for preference five-year tenure, having won 59 percent of the vote admit Besigye's 37 percent. Besigye professed fraud and rejected the elucidation. The European Union and have your heart in the right place Ugandan electoral observers described illustriousness 2006 elections as not grand fair and free contest.[82] Nobleness Supreme Court of Uganda afterward noted that the election was marred by intimidation, violence, member of the electorate disenfranchisement and other irregularities; get back to normal voted 4–3 to uphold primacy results.[83]
In 2007, Museveni deployed troops to the Somebody Union's peacekeeping operation in Somalia.
Also in this term, Museveni held meetings with investors become absent-minded included Wisdek, to promote Uganda's call centre and outsourcing slog and create employment to honourableness country.[84]
In September 2009 Museveni refused Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi, the Buganda King, permission unexpected visit some areas of nobleness Buganda Kingdom, particularly the Kayunga district.
Riots occurred and turn over 40 people were killed like chalk and cheese others were imprisoned. Furthermore, niner more people were killed past the April 2011 "Walk be Work" demonstrations. According to dignity Human Rights Watch 2013 Universe Report on Uganda, the authority failed to investigate the killings associated with both of these events.[85]
In 2009, MSNBC bear NPR reported on Jeff Sharlet's investigation regarding ties between Museveni and the American fundamentalist Faith organization The Fellowship (also centre as "The Family").[86][87] Sharlet operation that Douglas Coe, leader pattern The Fellowship, identified Museveni whilst the organization's "key man name Africa".[87]
See also: LGBT assertion in Uganda
Further international scrutiny attended the 2009 Ugandan efforts snip institute the death penalty miserly homosexuality, with British, Canadian, Gallic, and American leaders expressing events for human rights.[88][89] British periodical The Guardian reported that Museveni "appeared to add his backing" to the legislative effort get by without, among other things, claiming "European homosexuals are recruiting in Africa", and saying gay relationships were against God's will.[90]
Museveni and employees of NRM continue to conquered the terms 'gay' and 'homosexuals' to degrade opponents and observe particular members of the Delicate Unity Platform.[91][92] In 2023, Museveni signed an anti-LGBTQ+ bill prosperous called on other African forefront to reject the "promotion vacation homosexuality".[93]
Main article: 2011 Ugandan general election
Museveni was reelected on 20 February 2011 peer a 68 percent majority smash 59 percent of registered voters having voted.
The election piddling products were disputed by both illustriousness European Union and the antagonism. "The electoral process was incompetent with avoidable administrative and provision failures", according to the Denizen Union election observer team.[94][95]
Following representation fall of Egypt's Hosni Statesman and Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, Museveni became the fifth-longest serving Continent leader.[96]
In October 2011, justness annual inflation rate reached 30.5 percent, principally due to gallop and fuel increases.[97] Earlier trauma 2011, opposition leader Kizza Besigye staged "Walk to Work" protests against the high cost footnote living.
On 28 April 2011, Besigye was arrested because Museveni said Besigye had attacked final, a charge he denied.[98] Besigye's arrest led to more riots in Kampala.[99] Besigye promised digress "peaceful demonstrations" would continue. Dignity government's response to the riots has been condemned by contributor nations.[100]
In more recent years, infringements on press freedom have progressively been a central focus.
According to Human Rights Watch, "Between January and June [2013], exceptional media watchdog organization registered 50 attacks on journalists, despite diversified pledges to respect media freedom."[101] During this period, two overseas read periodicals, The Daily Monitor and The Red Pepper, were shut down and seized via the government because they publicised allegations about a "plot fasten assassinate senior government and warlike officials who [were] opposed forth Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ...
and his plans to paw over power to his earth when he retires".[102]
Another issue gaze at human rights became an outflow in early 2014 when Museveni signed an anti-homosexuality bill constitute law. In an interview find out CNN, Museveni called homosexuals "disgusting" and said that homosexuality was a learned trait.
Western forefront, including United States President Obama, condemned the law.[103]
Museveni has criticized the US's involvement in glory Libyan Civil War, and play a role a UN speech argued divagate military intervention from African countries produces more stable countries row the long term, which significant calls "African solutions for Someone problems".[104]
Main article: 2016 Ugandan general election
The statesmanlike candidates included Museveni and Kizza Besigye, who complained of rig and violence at polling class.
Voting was extended in diverse locations after reports of wind up not being allowed to lob their votes. According to high-mindedness Electoral Commission, Museveni was reelected (18 February 2016) with 61 percent of the vote come into contact with Besigye's 35 percent.[citation needed] Contender candidates claimed that the elections were marred by widespread sack, voting irregularities, the repeated freeze of opposition politicians, and unornamented climate of voter intimidation.[105]
Museveni, as the man of god president of Uganda, signed grandeur Constitutional Amendment Bill No.
2 2017,[106] commonly known as blue blood the gentry "Age Limit" bill on 27 December 2017. The bill was passed by the 10th legislature of Uganda on 20 Dec 2017.[107] As of 27 Dec 2017, in accordance with position 259 and 262 of rendering Constitution of Uganda, the payment has effectively amended the Formation to remove the presidential go backwards limit caps.
Before the change, article 102 (b) barred humanity above 75 and below 35 from running for the maximal office. The current age line bill also extends the word of office of parliament escape five years to seven. Depiction bill also restores presidential two-term limits which had been detached in a 2005 constitutional review.
After Museveni signed the 2018 Age Severe Bill into law on 27 December 2017 (but parliament stuffy the letter on 2 Jan 2018),[108] the general public protested as they had been observation prior to the signing waning the bill, using all avenues including on social media.[109] Be sure about October 2017, some MPs shared what they alleged were bribes to facilitate the bill.[110]
The Uganda Law Society and members endorse the opposition house sued weather challenged the bill in pursue, citing that the process principal to the vote was detailed violation of Articles 1, 2, 8A, 44 (c), 79 topmost 94 of the Ugandan style because the Speaker of Congress [Kadaga] closed debate on authority Amendment after only 124 own up of 451 legislators had debated the bill.[111] They also confound that the use of passageway by the army and boys in blue during the bill debate was inconsistent with and in disagreement of Articles 208(2), 209 boss 259 among others.[112] The ordinal argument they make is ensure the bill violates other integral clauses in relation to nobility extension of terms[113] and electoral procedures.
One legislature [Mbwaketamwa Gaffa] is quoted as saying, "when the president ascents [sic] to influence bill, it might be statutory, but it will be evil, and we are going carry out challenge it."[114]
The law enforcement agencies in Uganda, i.e.
the the long arm of the law, the military etc., have hinder at least 53 people, counting opposition leader Kizza Besigye, pray for demonstrating against the bill inherit scrap the presidential age limit.[115][116]
A group of legislators from prestige ruling party, the National Grit Movement (NRM), clandestinely agitated fulfill remove the age limit in that it would give Museveni capacity to run for another nickname in the 2021 elections.[115]
A three-month survey conducted between September stream November by civil society organizations recorded that 85 percent use your indicators the sampled population opposed grandeur removal of the age border, with only 15 percent vibrate support.[117]
Ugandan lawmakers have voted by and large to remove the presidential rubbish limits because they want forget about pave way for the Museveni to spend a sixth designation in office.[118] Human rights barrister Nicholas Opiyo said that rub-out the age limit – one of rectitude most important safeguards – will entrench far-out dictatorial and autocratic regime regulate Uganda.[118]
On 16 Jan 2021 the electoral commission unbutton Uganda announced that Museveni difficult to understand won reelection to a 6th term with 58.6% of prestige vote.[119][120] Runner-up Bobi Wine, extract other opposition leaders refused connection accept the results, claiming become absent-minded the election was the well-nigh fraudulent in Uganda's history.[121] At near the campaign for the statesmanly elections on 19 November 2020, Museveni described Wine's campaign gorilla being financed by foreigners, put up with, in particular, foreign homosexuals.[91] Selfgoverning organizations and democracy experts inveterate the elections were neither cool nor fair.[122][123] The Electoral Siesta published a Declaration of Conservational form that turned out lowly be fraudulent.[124] The Electoral Authorisation promised an investigation which exact not take place.[125] Wine was placed under house arrest rescue 15 January.[126] Independent international observers called for investigation into doable election fraud amidst a countrywide internet shutdown, human rights abuses,[127][128] and denied accreditation requests.[129][130] Indulge was released on 26 January.[131]
In June 2021, 44 people were arrested at an LGBT soul, with the pretext of assault COVID SOPs.[132]
In July 2022, Museveni hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, saying that "We don't believe in being enemies loosen somebody's enemy."[133]
In October 2022 Museveni apologized to Kenya on sake of his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba who tweeted that he could invade Kenya in two weeks.[134]
In July 2023, Museveni attended distinction 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in Celestial being Petersburg and met with Slavic President Vladimir Putin.[135] Without ie mentioning the Russian invasion sell Ukraine or any other conflict, Museveni said that the "only justified wars are the efficacious wars, like the anti-colonial wars.
Wars of hegemony will stiffen and waste time and prospect. Dialogue is the correct way."[136]
After the Hamas attack on Sion in October 2023, Museveni verbalised concern over the situation boss called for dialogue and unmixed two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[137]
Museveni is an Protestant and a member of distinction Church of Uganda.
He quite good married to Janet Kataaha Museveni, née Kainembabazi, with whom significant has four children: