Yoweri Museveni Sworn In for New Term as Uganda President

Yoweri Museveni was sworn in for a seventh consecutive term as Uganda's president on Tuesday at a ceremony held at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. The 81-year-old leader won elections in January and was declared the winner with more than 70 percent of the vote. His new term is expected to end in 2031.

Heavy security including armoured tanks was deployed in Kampala ahead of the inauguration. Police said the security measures were intended to maintain public order. The government declared the day of the inauguration a public holiday.

He said people should focus on creating more wealth and jobs and build on the progress made in the last 40 years through peace and infrastructure development. Museveni first came to power in 1986. He has won seven elections since then.

BBC News reported that he is one of Africa's longest-serving rulers. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several regional leaders. Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Democratic Republic of Congo's Félix Tshisekedi, South Sudan's Salva Kiir and Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud were all present.

Museveni's main rival, Bobi Wine, rejected the election result. " Election officials denied the allegation. Bobi Wine fled the country after the election. " BBC News reported that he went into hiding after raids on his house and accused security forces of targeting him and his family.

Police denied those allegations. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the 51-year-old military chief, has been widely tipped as a potential successor to Museveni. On X earlier this year, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba threatened to have Bobi Wine's testicles removed in posts that have since been removed.