Uganda president, 80, seeks 7th term despite calls for his retirement
Critics warn that Yoweri Museveni has veered into authoritarianism, facing virtually no opposition after being in power for decades
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday sought nomination for a seventh term, a move that would bring him closer to five decades in power in the East African country.
Museveni, 80, has defied calls for his retirement, as critics warn that he has veered into authoritarianism with virtually no opposition, including within his governing National Resistance Movement party.
He was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters as he went to collect nomination papers from the party’s offices in Kampala, the capital.
He said in a speech to his followers that, if reelected, one of his goals is to fight official corruption.
“In this time I want us really to wipe out corruption,” he said.
Museveni first took power as head of a rebel force in 1986. He has since been elected six times, though recent elections have been marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging.
