Alarm over Ugandan president's plan for fourth term

Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, will try to extend his rule to 30 years by winning a fourth term in 2011, state media reported this week.

The announcement will alarm critics of Museveni (64) who fear that he has become another of Africa’s leaders who refuse to give up power. The former rebel fighter encouraged Parliament to scrap term limits before the disputed 2006 elections, having earlier pledged to stand down after two terms.

Following weeks of rumour and speculation in Uganda the Sunday Vision newspaper reported that Museveni would again be the candidate for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in 2011.

His deputy, vice-president Gilbert Bukenya, was quoted requesting party members to “stay with President Museveni”.

“Museveni is still strong,” said Bukenya.

“So why should we let him go? Let us support him.”

As in the run-up to the previous election, which was marred by intimidation and a state-orchestrated smear campaign against the main challenger, Museveni has refused to confirm that he will run.

“We shall cross the waters when we get there,” he told a party meeting this month. “I cannot swim where there is no water.”

Having taken power after a bush war in 1986 Museveni soon won plaudits around the world for restoring peace to the country, rebuilding the economy and tackling the Aids epidemic.

Donors poured in billions of dollars in aid and eventually helped persuade him to introduce multi-party politics.

But in recent years there have been growing concerns about Museveni’s increasingly autocratic style.

In 2006 the main opposition challenger was Kizza Besigye who, in the months before the poll, was charged with rape, treason and terrorism—allegations that many believe were politically motivated.—