Uganda’s Museveni cleared to extend three-decade reign
Uganda’s Electoral Commission has cleared incumbent President Yoweri Museveni to begin official campaigns for the elections scheduled for January 2021.
Mr Museveni has ruled the country since 1986 when he rose to power through an armed struggle.
A law passed in 2017 removed a constitutional age limit for presidential candidates making it possible for Mr Museveni – who is 76 – to run again.
Small groups of his supporters dressed in the ruling party’s colour yellow lined the streets on Monday singing and dancing, to welcome the president’s motorcade to the nomination venue.
The president has shared pictures of the event on Twitter:
I have been duly nominated by the Independent Electoral Commission as a candidate for the 2021 presidential election. I thank my nominators, the two young people, Nassur Gaddafi and Hellen Seku. #M7Nomination #SecuringYourFuture pic.twitter.com/0jYxUIMbID
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) November 2, 2020
One of the president’s challengers, the musician-turned-opposition politician Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine, is scheduled to be nominated by the electoral commission on Tuesday.
So far, 10 aspirants are vying for the top job. Others include former army commander General Mugisha Muntu and former Security Minister General Henry Tumukunde.
The electoral commission has banned public campaign rallies. Candidates are expected to campaign through mainstream media and on social media platforms.