Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni sworn in for seventh term as president

The 81-year-old, who has been in power since 1986, won a January election amid reports of intimidation and abductions.Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for a seventh term, extending his 40-year tenure following a landslide victory in controversial January elections.One of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, Museveni took the oath of office on Tuesday at an event at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, while being cheered by thousands of attendees.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Zelenskyy says Russia fired over 200 drones at Ukraine as truce expireslist 2 of 3Social media becomes a ‘goldmine’ for fraudsters in Jordanlist 3 of 3Over 370 Afghans killed in Pakistan conflict in first 3 months of 2026: UNend of listThe election in January took place amid a nationwide internet blackout and reports of intimidation and abductions of the opposition.Museveni won 71.65 percent of the vote, according to Uganda’s Electoral Commission. Opposition leader Bobi Wine, an entertainer whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, received 24.72 percent and said “massive” ballot stuffing had taken place.Attacks on oppostionHuman Rights Watch accused Ugandan authorities of “intensified attacks” on the National Unity Platform opposition and its supporters after the election, reporting mass arrests and the disappearance of two senior leaders.During Wine’s campaign, his rallies were repeatedly interrupted by security forces, with supporters arrested and at least one person killed.Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni rides in an armoured vehicle as he arrives for his swearing-in ceremony in Kampala, Uganda on May 12, 2026 [Michael Muhati/Reuters]Following the election, Wine said he had escaped a police and army raid on his house, and that his wife and other family members were under house arrest.Several people were also killed in an attack at a local opposition lawmaker’s home in the town of Butambala. The opposition said 10 people were killed by police, while the authorities said seven were killed after people with machetes attacked a police station and vote-counting centre.