As Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni was sworn in on Tuesday, observers and political leaders across East Africa reflected on the trajectory of a man who in 1986 emerged from military fatigues, and a country wracked by civil war, to then rule for 40 years.
Regional leaders, including the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta traveled to Uganda's capital, Kampala, for Museveni's inauguration, highlighting his regional diplomatic standing.
Despite winning January's elections with just under 72% of the vote — amid reports of intimidation and abductions of opposition figures — many believe the 81-year-old is nearing the end of his time in office. But, according to the Ugandans DW spoke to about what they hope for in Museveni's seventh consecutive term, there is still plenty to do.
"By and large, in Uganda now, there is peace. And when there is peace, the economic activities tend to sprout and progress," Ugandan academic Adolf Mbaine told DW.
Uganda's economic growth fails to reach young population
