The president, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, was declared victor of a sixth, five-year term in office. His rival, Bobi Wine, says the election was unfair, a contention backed by independent international observers. The Uganda electoral commission said “Mr. Museveni received more than 5.8 million votes, or nearly 59 percent of the total, while Mr. Wine received 3.4 million votes, or 34 percent.” There are 18.1 million registered voters out of a population of somewhere around 45 million citizens. Although Ugandan opposition candidates have faced backlash in the past, “the gag during this election was unprecedented,” said Su Muhereza, a Ugandan political commentator. “There was only so much one man like Bobi could do against the machine” of what she referred to as the security state. Mr. Museveni rose to power as the head of a revolutionary movement 35 years ago, promising to uphold democracy and safeguard the lives of Ugandans in a nation torn by coups and violence. At the time, he was loved by the people of Uganda and praised for all the work he had done, but now people are rioting and looting in the streets due to his name. This is very similar to the conflicts we are facing in America with the new election of President Joe Biden. Not even two weeks ago citizens were breaking into the capitol in protest of his victory in the electoral college. At the time, he and his cadres “saw themselves as the essential leaders, not just of the country’s politics, but of a whole new national culture,” said Derek R. Peterson. It seems that President Trump and Musevini have very similar attitudes towards their role in leadership of their country. It is clear that around half the country wants him out of office, very similar to the United States.
