Museveni’s fourth term beckons

When President Museveni announced at the Entebbe meeting that his party had registered some 7.9 million supporters — slightly lower than a previously expected 9.5 million — opposition leaders were quick to say that this was a ploy to rig the poll.

“A membership of 9.5 million. is probably more than all the registered voters in Uganda! Let the rigging begin,” said Anne Mugisha, FDC’s US-based external Envoy.

But analysts said Museveni’s advantage could be the result of a new drive to weed out corruption after he returned the country to stability after years of state-led tyranny that started with Obote’s first rule in 1966.

“That seems to be the party’s driving point,” said a Tanzanian diplomat who has lived in the country for many years. “If they handle it well, and show clear signs they are serious, they could ride on the back of that to take a new clear, even if narrow lead over the opposition,” he added.

The economy is back on track – with an average growth of six per cent since 1987. Inflation which was 240 per cent when Museveni took over is now at an average of eight per cent, the International Monetary Fund said.

“The drive to end corruption will gain him votes, if he is serious about it,” said a political commentator from Makerere University’s political science department.

Uganda began its slow slide into anarchy when Obote overthrew Muteesa in a bloody coup that also ended rule by kings. Muteesa had been Kabaka (king) of the majority Baganda tribe.

Obote was evicted by his army commander, Idi Amin, as he attended a Commonwealth Summit in Singapore. A combined force of Ugandan exiles including Museveni aided by Tanzanian troops ousted Amin in 1979 but a poll the following year was said to be rigged, prompting Museveni to launch his bush war.

Obote was deposed a second time by former ally Okello, but his government was too weak to contain the rebels, who were by now approaching Kampala. A peace brokered by former Kenyan president Daniel Moi and signed in Nairobi at the close of 1985 failed to hold and Museveni’s final assault in January the following year led him straight to power.

Uganda has had eight leaders in its 47-year history of independence from Britain — which ruled it as a protectorate since 1884.