Examining the journey of Yoweri Museveni, who has held the position of Uganda’s president since 1986, reveals a comprehensive perspective on his life and leadership.
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, born on August 15, 1944, in Ntungamo, Uganda, to parents Amos Kaguta, a cattle keeper, and Esteri Kokundeka.
Janet Kataaha Museveni has been married since August 1973, and she and her husband have one son and three daughters. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Dar Es Salaam University (Tanzania) and follows the Christian faith.
Records Of Yoweri Museveni
After returning to Uganda from college in 1970, Yoweri Museveni worked for Prime Minister Milton Obote, but went into exile in Tanzania on January 25, 1971, following Obote’s overthrow by Idi Amin. During his time in Tanzania, he formed the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) to overthrow Amin. In April 1979, FRONASA successfully overthrew Amin, leading to Museveni’s involvement in the Military Commission and subsequent positions including Minister of Defense (1979-1980). He then led the National Resistance Army in a guerrilla campaign from 1981 to 1986, culminating in his assumption of the Ugandan presidency on January 26, 1986, after toppling General Tito Okello’s military regime, and was officially sworn in on January 29. Museveni was later elected president in May 1996 with 74.2% of the vote in Uganda’s first direct presidential election since gaining independence from Britain in 1962.
On March 24, 1998, Bill Clinton, the US President at the time, holds discussions with Museveni during a meeting in Uganda.
In March 2001, Museveni is reelected as Uganda’s president, winning with 69.3% of the vote.
On May 6, 2002, Museveni meets with George W. Bush, the US President, at the White House, aiming to enhance Ugandan exports to the US market.
On July 11, 2003, Bush meets Museveni in Entebbe, Uganda, primarily to address the issue of AIDS.
In August 2005, Uganda’s parliament eliminates presidential term limits.
On February 25, 2006, Museveni secures victory in Uganda’s first multi-party presidential election, marking his third term in office.
During August 2006, an accord is signed between the Ugandan government and the Lord’s Resistance Army, aiming to end a two-decade-long civil war that has resulted in numerous casualties and the displacement of millions.
On October 30, 2007, Museveni visits Bush at the White House.
In November 2010, as part of his reelection campaign, Museveni releases a song and music video titled “U Want Another Rap?”
In a surprise move on November 29, 2010, Museveni becomes the first head of state in nearly two decades to visit Somalia, as stated by the African Union Mission for Somalia.
On February 20, 2011, Museveni is declared the president following Uganda’s electoral commission announcement, securing 68% of the vote for his fourth term.
A controversial bill toughening penalties against gay individuals and criminalizing certain homosexual acts is signed into law by Museveni on February 24, 2014. He emphasizes that Uganda won’t allow Western values to be imposed.
Announcing his intentions on July 31, 2015, Museveni expresses his plans to seek a fifth term as president in the 2016 elections, marking 30 years in power.
Following the February 20, 2016 elections, Museveni wins his fifth term, with his closest competitor Kizza Besigye contesting the results and calling for an independent audit.
On May 12, 2016, Museveni is inaugurated for his fifth presidential term.
A viral meme is generated on July 11, 2016, from Facebook photos depicting Museveni making a phone call while sitting in a lawn chair on a roadside in Uganda.
On July 27, 2018, Uganda’s constitutional court supports a constitutional amendment that lifts the presidential age limit, potentially enabling Museveni to remain in power indefinitely.
In July 24, 2019, Bobi Wine, a Ugandan pop star, announces his candidacy against Museveni, who has held power for 33 years.
Museveni faces a lawsuit on August 26, 2019, from a Harvard student who claims he was blocked on Twitter by the president, hindering his ability to provide feedback on government policies.
To encourage adherence to Covid-19 lockdown measures, Museveni releases a home workout video on April 9, 2020.
On May 20, 2020, the High Court rules that Museveni and other officials have the right to block individuals on their personal Twitter accounts.
After the January 16, 2021 presidential election, Museveni secures his sixth term in office.
Museveni is inaugurated for his sixth term on May 12, 2021.
On May 29, 2023, amid an intensified crackdown on LGBTQ individuals, Museveni signs one of the world’s strictest anti-gay bills into law, following revisions made by parliament.
Confirming a positive Covid-19 test result, Museveni announces on June 8, 2023, that he is taking “forced leave” due to experiencing “mild symptoms,” via Twitter.