Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has hit out at the west saying it lacks the credentials to lecture him and the rest of Africa on democracy.
Museveni made the remarks while delivering his speech on Wednesday after taking oath for a sixth term in office. The function was held at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
“It is comic to hear lectures from foreign actors about democracy. We are architects of Uganda’s democracy. We will not entertain such lectures apart from those coming from our brothers and sisters in Africa,” Museveni said.
He added, “It is comic and laughable to hear of some actors in the world giving us lectures about democracy. What are their credentials. We designed a democratic system from the jungles of our country where we lived with the people.”
Museveni won a highly contested election in January, against 10 other candidates for the country’s top job.
The 76-year-old leader, who was taking the presidential oath for the seventh time, cut a confident and self-assured pose on the podium.
The new five-year term will see him leading Uganda for 40 years, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
Supporters of the ruling party, NRM, lined some parts of the stretch between Nakasero State House and Kololo Independence Grounds, to cheer on the presidential convoy.
