Museveni calls opponents 'terrorists' after claiming seventh term in Uganda

Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, fresh from winning a seventh term in office at 81, said on Sunday that the opposition were "terrorists" who had tried to use violence to overturn the election results. Official results showed Museveni winning a landslide with 72% of the vote, while opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, won 25%.

The poll was criticised by African election observers and rights groups because of heavy repression of the opposition and an internet blackout. Wine’s whereabouts remained uncertain after he said he had escaped a police raid on his home and was in hiding; police denied the raid, said he was still at home and blocked journalists from approaching the residence.

Wine has not posted on social media since Saturday when he denounced the "blatant theft of the presidential election." In his victory speech Museveni accused the National Unity Platform of planning attacks and said, "Some of the opposition are wrong and also terrorists... They are working with some foreigners and some homosexual groups." Although some internet coverage was restored late on Saturday, the government said it would maintain a ban on social media platforms until further notice.

Uganda has remained largely peaceful since the results, with a reduced security presence on Sunday and shops open, but there were small protests and reports of teargas in parts of Kampala.

Key Topics

World, Yoweri Museveni, Bobi Wine, National Unity Platform, Uganda, Internet Blackout