Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has just been declared the winner of the Presidential elections adding another 5 years to his already 25 years. He was able to maneuver a win because of the split within the opposition. This was the same strategy Moi (former President of Kenya) used to secure a win in the 1997/8 election.
President Museveni, like former President Hosni Mubarak, have been in power for so long that they feel the Presidency should be bequeathed to his son. This endeavor will not succeed but that is not to say he will not try to slide the option again for this may be his final term in office.
The question is whether the Ugandans will quietly accept Museveni for another 5 years or will they rise up with one voice as the Egyptians and Tunisians. Are Ugandans ready to die for a version of democracy that understands the government works for the people? Museveni has promised to crush any protests that the losing candidate - Kizza Bisegye - may try to organize.
The elections were relatively peaceful but the opposition believes it was rigged. Museveni is a hardliner and a no-nonsense leader. The opposition needs to get organized and serious or the people need to decide when they have had enough of corruption, nepotism, cronyism and stifling of the people's voice.
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