Uganda government has announced a two-day public holiday for the inauguration of 82-year old Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as president of the Republic.
Heads of State and government begun arriving on Monday ahead of today’s swearing in ceremony in the Capital Kampala.
“I thank them for honouring our invitation and for the solidarity they continue to show Uganda,” President Museveni said after hosting a State Dinner for the Excellencies and other distinguished guests.
Museveni won the January elections with 71 percent of the vote effectively securing a 7th Term in office. He is taking oath of office two months late, this delay has triggered widespread political debate.
The opposition political party (FDC), Forum For Democratic Change, rejected invitation to Museveni’s inauguration (May 11-12).
Patrick Amuriat Oboi, FDC party President said that FDC party was dissatisfied with the conduct of the recently concluded general elections.
“it would be inappropriate for the party to join the National Resistance Movement-led events under the current political circumstances,” Amuriat said.
Meanwhile, the delayed inauguration, did not halt the outgoing Parliament from conducting it’s business even when it wasn’t required in such a situation with a president-elect and newly elected members of parliament both of which hadn’t been swon-in.
The outgoing Parliament has been accused of hurriedly passing a controversial Sovereignty Bill.
Museveni defends the bill saying it sets a legal framework for Uganda to conduct it’s affairs without foreign interference.
He said sovereignity bill means, “let us do our things by ourselves just as you do your own things without anybody interfering with you.”
Uganda which is a member of the non aligned movement is currently panning towards the BRICS and shaking off from the West in a growing multipolar realignment.
With the sovereignty Bill passed, Museveni thanked members of parliament for the effort. ” I congratulate the NRM MPs for passing the Sovereignty Bill”.
He said that the sovereignty Bill will prevent Uganda from sliding back to situations like, “how the Israelis led by one Barak and the British supported Idi Amin’s coup in 1971 because Obote was vocal in opposing their policy on Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Indeed, Edward Heath, the British Prime Minister, recognized Amin after only 10 days.”
Museveni said on Monday, “This new mandate is not a privilege. It is a responsibility to continue serving the people of Uganda with discipline, focus and commitment.”
“We must protect what has been achieved, correct what still needs improvement, and move forward together as one country. For God and my Country,” Museveni noted.
