At 81, Museveni begins a seventh term and extends his historic reign in Uganda

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was sworn in on Tuesday for a seventh term, further consolidating his power after nearly forty years at the head of Uganda.

Aged 81, the former rebel leader has ruled the country since 1986. This new investiture extends his reign into a fifth decade, making him one of the longest-serving leaders on the African continent.

Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the January presidential election with 72% of the vote. However, the election was marred by violence and accusations of fraud made by the opposition and several organizations critical of the government.

During his inaugural address, the Ugandan president highlighted his economic record, stating that the country was heading towards double-digit growth in the next fiscal year thanks in particular to the expected launch of crude oil production.

The question of his succession, however, continues to fuel political speculation. Many observers believe that Museveni might be grooming his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, currently a high-ranking military official, to succeed him. The president, however, has always denied any intention of a dynastic transfer of power.

Facing him, the opposition remains severely weakened. Singer and opposition figure Bobi Wine, who came second in the last two presidential elections, currently lives in exile in the United States after fleeing his country following a military raid on his home after the election.

For several years, criticism of Museveni's government has focused on political repression, attacks on public freedoms, and the growing influence of the army in the country's political life.

Despite these controversies, the president retains firm control over institutions and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which has dominated the Ugandan political scene for several decades.