Uganda's ruling party picked 80-year-old Yoweri Museveni as their candidate for the upcoming presidential race. The veteran leader could add more years to his almost four decades of rule. Museveni told supporters he wants to make Uganda a wealthy middle-class nation. He grabbed power back in 1986 after leading a rebel group against the government. The president has never lost an election since taking charge of the country.
Critics claim Museveni runs Uganda with a heavy hand and crushes anyone who opposes him. Lawmakers changed the constitution twice to remove age limits and term restrictions just for him. Pop star turned politician Bobi Wine plans to challenge Museveni again next January. Wine complained that fighting against the current government has become much harder because of increased crackdowns. He said opposition leaders face terrorist labels from the state.
Wine lost badly to Museveni during the 2021 vote with just 35 percent compared to the president's 59 percent. Many people claimed the election was rigged and unfair to opposition candidates. Another opposition figure named Kizza Besigye sits behind bars since November on treason charges. Besigye says the arrest targets him for political reasons rather than real crimes.
Museveni bragged about bringing peace and growth to Uganda during his Saturday speech. He warned that Uganda must not miss out on progress like Africa did when Europe moved ahead. The president wants his country to leap forward and join wealthy Asian nations despite having fewer natural resources.
Critics claim Museveni runs Uganda with a heavy hand and crushes anyone who opposes him. Lawmakers changed the constitution twice to remove age limits and term restrictions just for him. Pop star turned politician Bobi Wine plans to challenge Museveni again next January. Wine complained that fighting against the current government has become much harder because of increased crackdowns. He said opposition leaders face terrorist labels from the state.
Wine lost badly to Museveni during the 2021 vote with just 35 percent compared to the president's 59 percent. Many people claimed the election was rigged and unfair to opposition candidates. Another opposition figure named Kizza Besigye sits behind bars since November on treason charges. Besigye says the arrest targets him for political reasons rather than real crimes.
Museveni bragged about bringing peace and growth to Uganda during his Saturday speech. He warned that Uganda must not miss out on progress like Africa did when Europe moved ahead. The president wants his country to leap forward and join wealthy Asian nations despite having fewer natural resources.
