Uganda General Elections 2021 Commence

Africa | Uganda January 14, 2021

Voters in Uganda on January 14, 2021 went to polling stations to cast their votes in the country’s general elections. The elections entail election of a new president and members of parliament.

The incumbent President Yoweri Museveni is facing challenge from 10 opposition presidential nominees that include his main foe pop star turned politician Bobi Wine born Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (38).

President Yoweri (76) who has ruled the East African nation since 1986, is seeking a sixth term in office. He has reportedly said he will concede defeat if he loses the presidential election. His relatively younger opponents have lambasted him even in previous elections, for being too old and in power for too long. However, he has persistently disagreed with them, giving his own arguments about why he had to continue ruling them. For instance, in 2015 in arguing his case for re-election for a fifth term to those who wanted him to go, the popular former hardcore guerrilla commander gave what is now an iconic metaphoric argument as thus:

“This old man who has saved the country, how do you want him to go?”

And added:

“How can I go out of a banana plantation I have planted that has started bearing fruits?”

The general elections are said to be taking place amidst tense security situation, with security vehicles and even choppers seen everywhere in the capital Kampala. At least 45 people were killed during the elections’ campaign in clashes between security forces and unarmed protesters.

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