President Museveni endorsed for next elections in Uganda

Uganda’s ruling NRM has nominated President Yoweri Museveni to stand for re-election in two years-time. Museveni has been in power since 1986 and if he wins the next election and serves his full term, he would have served 35 years easily becoming one of Africa’s longest serving presidents.

“The NRM parliamentary caucus has proposed that President Museveni, who is also the NRM party chairman, stands unopposed for the party presidency in 2016,” youth legislator, Evelyn Anite said and was seconded by fellow parliamentarians, Simbwa, Katoto, and Barbara Oundo Nekesa.

The NRM parliamentary caucus immediately endorsed the proposal, which was made at a luncheon curiously held at the Rwamasindi Abasonga Presidential farm in Ngoma, Nakaseke district on Sunday. In a statement, Presidential press secretary, Linda Nabusayi said the ruling party’s parliamentary caucus had endorsed Museveni since he had played a role in ensuring peace, security, democracy and social economic transformation.

After the ringing endorsement, Museveni took the legislators on a tour of his dairy projects, where he told them he wants to improve livestock nutrition and animal husbandry. Museveni, who turns 73 in 2016, has neither denied nor accepted the proposal, leaving observers speculating on his next move.

“Now that his party has endorsed him, he must stand for presidency because we believe he is still the best candidate in our party,” ruling party member, Ronald Asimwe said. However, the opposition has lashed at the endorsement, claiming Museveni has run short of ideas to take the country forward.

“It was all planned by Museveni himself,” a sceptical opposition youth leader, Jeremiah Ogwanga said. “He still wants to be the president, even though he has run short of ideas.”

Source: The Africa Report