Written by: INcontext International
Article source: www.incontextinternational.org

On 14 January, Yoweri Museveni won a sixth term as Uganda’s president as 52% of Ugandans cast their vote in the election. Mr Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, won 59% of the votes.

His greatest opposition was singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, more commonly known as Bobi Wine. The results of the election led to several protests as Wine urged his followers to reject the results. Two people were killed and 23 were arrested in ensuing demonstrations.

The African Union (AU) sent an observer team to monitor the election after several opposition leaders expressed concern of election fraud and vote tampering. However, the team arrived later than expected due to COVID travel restrictions and was only able to monitor voting stations in the capital of Kampala and its immediate surrounding areas.

The group reported irregularities. While Mr Museveni won another term, his vice-president, and several of his cabinet members, lost seats to Wine’s National Unity Platform party. Internet shutdowns before the election have made it difficult for information about the electoral process to be released. The United States and Britain have called for an investigation into the validity of the results.

From a Christian perspective, believers in Uganda have expressed concern over how the election was handled, especially how security forces dealt with the opposition members.

The situation continues to be tense and believers have specifically requested prayer for their nation and its leaders. Uganda is home to almost 1.5 million refugees, who rely on the government’s unique policies: refugees in Uganda are given a plot of land to live on and the government receives millions in foreign aid to help fund critical government programmes.

Despite growing discontent with the current administration, some favour stability, and thus support Mr Museveni. The Church in Uganda will play a vital role in the coming months – to remain focussed on the pursuit of peace, regardless of who is in power.

Pray with us for the following:

  • For security forces to show restraint and the general population to experience a sense of calm
  • For election officials to demonstrate integrity in the execution of their duties, in the interest of the citizens and nation
  • For the Church to be a source of encouragement and unity during this divisive time

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Date published: 05/02/2021
Feature image: President Yoweri Museveni. Javiramk16/commons.m.wikimedia.org

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