Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni cleared to run for fifth term

Uganda’s Electoral Commission has cleared President Yoweri Museveni to contest in the 2016 presidential elections.

Accompanied by his wife Janet Museveni and officials of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Museveni was presented to the Electoral Commission (EC) by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda seconded by state minister for Youth Evelyn Anite.

Speaking after receiving the nomination certificate, Museveni said he is ready to steer Uganda to the next stage of development.

“We have so far gone through three stages of development including liberation, recovery and foundation. What remains now is take off,” he said.

Museveni, who has been in power for 30 years, said he still has many things to offer the country including prioritising agriculture, water for production and fighting poverty.

Museveni will face off with other aspirants among them Kiza Bisigye of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi (Independent), who are considered his fiercest rivals.

Other aspirants include Charles Bbaale Lwanga (Ecological Party of Uganda), founder of Ambassadors of Christ Church founder Pastor Joseph Mabirizi (Independent), Former Kampala mayor Ntege Ssebagala (Independent), former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Venansius Baryamureeba (Progressive Ugandans), Bwanika Abed (Peoples’ Development Party) and Faith Walube Kyalya (Independent).

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Uganda as parties hold nominations for their presidential candidates at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.

The political differences among party rivals is already visible at Namboole as supporters of NRM pulled down posters of Mbabazi.

Several leaders have reportedly camped at Mbabazi’s home including Jeema President Asuman Basalirwa, UPC leader Olara Otunnu and FDC’s Kitgum Woman MP Beatrice Anywar ahead of the nominations.

Among the things that Uganda Electoral Commission (URC) will need from presidential aspirants include proof of payment of a non-refundable fee of UGX 20 million and proof of age (not less than 35 years and not more than 75 years).

The commission has set November 9th as the official date for parties to begin presidential campaign ahead of the elections slated for March next year.

Museveni won the fourth term in February 2011 amidst protest from members of the opposition, making his Africa’s longest-serving President.

@benjaminwafula