Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni has been sworn in as Uganda’s president for a sixth term following the hotly contested January 14 election.
Museveni was sworn in at by the country’s Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny Dollo at a ceremony held in Kampala before a small crowd due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“I … do swear … that I will always truly and diligently serve the people of the Republic of Uganda,” Museveni swore for the seventh time having first done so in 1986.
President Museveni, 76, was announced winner with 58.38 percent of the votes cast by the Electoral Commission beating National Unity Platform party leader Robert Kyagulanyi. The youthful pop singer-turned politician has since disputed the results saying his vote was stolen.
Earlier, Museveni arrived in a black Mercedes-Benz donning a black suit and escorted by his wife, Janet Museveni before he was received by the Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.
He proceeded to receive a presidential salute before inspected the military parade before he was presented by the Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama as the duly elected president of Uganda for the next five years.
Museveni was handed the instruments of power including Constitution, the national flag, the presidential standard flag, the national anthem, the National Court of Arms and the public seal from the Chief Justice.
The Chief of Defense Forces, Gen David Muhoozi also presented to Museveni the instruments of national defense including the shield and the sword. He later received a 21-gun salute.
A total of 12 heads of state and other dignitaries witnessed the inauguration including Zimbabwe’s leader Emerson Munangagwa, Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Alpha Conde of Guinea, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Burundi’s Evariste Ndayishimiye.
Others include Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Famajo of Somalia, Slva Kiir of South Sudan. Leaders of countries like Russia, South Africa, Rwanda, and Sudan sent delegates to the event.