President Yoweri Museveni has been sworn as Uganda’s President for the seventh straight term running, making him the country’s longest serving president and the fourth longest serving president on the continent.
President Museveni arrived at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds amidst tight security from the Special Forces Command (SFC) officers, before proceeding to inspect the parade flanked by first son and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Thereafter, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama, formally declared Museveni, as the duly elected President of the Republic Uganda for the next Five Years following the official results of the recently concluded general elections.
President Museveni aged 81 years, who was accompanied by First Daughter Mrs Natasha Museveni Karugire, took oath, cementing his place as one of Africa’s longest serving heads of state, at the ceremony attended by at least 15 Heads of State alongside regional and international representatives.
“I, Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni, swear in the name of the Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Uganda and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution”.
“I, Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni, swear in the name of the Almighty God that I shall faithfully exercise the functions of the President of Uganda and shall uphold, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and observe the laws of Uganda and that I shall promote the welfare of the people of Uganda. So help me God” Museveni swore to loud cheers from the yellow clad supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), gathered at Kololo.
President Museveni was then handed the instruments of power which included the National Flag, Presidential Standard Flag, National Anthem, National Coat of Arms, and Public Seal from the Chief Justice, symbolizing the official start of his new term.
Longest African Serving Presidents
The Equatorial Guinea President, Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power for 46 years, is the current longest-serving president in Africa. Mr Nguema is followed by Cameroon President Paul Biya, who has ruled the West African country for 43 years.
The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, who has ruled his citizens for 42 years comes in the third position.
