Museveni Sworn In Again as Africa Grapples With the Rise of Life Presidencies

Today, President Yoweri Museveni, 81, was sworn in for a seventh term in office, extending a rule that began in 1986 and now stretches toward four decades, cementing his place among Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

The inauguration ceremony in Kampala, attended by regional leaders, military officials, diplomats, and ruling party supporters, featured elaborate state pageantry, military displays, and renewed promises of stability and economic transformation under Museveni’s leadership.

But beyond the spectacle lies a deeper question confronting Africa: Is democracy on the continent in retreat, or merely suffering from prolonged growing pains?

Museveni’s new term begins amid continued debate over democracy, governance, and long-term leadership across parts of Africa. Uganda has faced criticism from opposition groups and rights organizations over allegations of enforced disappearances, arrests of opposition figures, and restrictions on political dissent in recent years.

Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who remains in jail, has repeatedly faced arrest during past election periods, while opposition politician Bobi Wine, who emerged as one of Museveni’s most challengers in the recent election, particularly among younger voters, is in exile, fearing for his safety.

Museveni is among several African leaders who have remained in power for decades. Cameroon’s Paul Biya has ruled since 1982, while Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been in power since 1979.

The issue of long-serving presidencies continues to shape political debate across the continent, particularly in countries with large youth populations.

In Uganda, the majority of the population was born after Museveni took power in 1986, meaning many citizens have never experienced another national leader. Across Africa, discussions around governance increasingly focus on political transition, constitutional term limits, democratic institutions, and the role of elections in long-established governments. While several African countries have experienced peaceful transfers of power in recent decades, others have faced disputed elections, constitutional amendments extending presidential terms, military coups, and political unrest.

Hours after Museveni’s inauguration, the United States formally congratulated him, signaling Washington’s intention to maintain strategic ties with Uganda despite longstanding concerns over governance and human rights.

In a statement, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs said Washington looked forward to continuing cooperation with Uganda on trade, investment, regional security, and public health.

Representing the United States at the ceremony was Nick Checker, the State Department’s senior bureau official for African affairs.

The statement reflects the continued importance of Uganda in U.S. engagement with Africa, particularly on regional security, economic cooperation, and strategic interests across East Africa.