The incumbent Uganda President, Yoweri Museveni, on Wednesday, was sworn in for a sixth term at the Kololo Independence ground in Kampala.
Museveni gave his swearing-in speech before diplomats and Heads of Governments including Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari.
Among other issues, he said he was disturbed by the level of insecurity in parts of Nigeria and other African countries.
He was of the view that external factors have a hand in the unsavoury situation in the African continent.
“I need to express my concern to the African brothers and sisters that are here today and those that are not here, that the situation in a number of points in Africa does not give credit to the African people. The security situations in Libya; Mali; Niger; some parts of Nigeria; Chad; the Central African Republic; some parts of Cameroon; Eastern Congo; Somalia; recently, Northern Mozambique; etc., must be addressed and can be addressed.
“First of all, the situation in Libya was created by the arrogant and irresponsible actions of some actors that took actions that were against the express position of the African Union. I can reveal to you now, that those actors, had a narrow escape.”
According to Museveni, if the African Union(AU) were true to each other through cooperation, all forms of insecurity would be taken out from affected countries.
He said until African countries unite, they would not be able to decide their corporate destiny.
“We have, since a long time ago, stated that African patriots, like we in the NRM, are neither pro-West nor pro-East. We are, first and foremost, pro-Africa.
“It is on account of that, that good friend should only deal with contentious strategic African issues via the African Union. Bypassing the African Union is not acceptable when it comes to dangerous strategic African issues. We have no interest in fighting anybody except poverty and under-development in Africa, starting with Uganda. However, some actors are always in search of enemies.
“Unfortunately, the Libyans collapsed quickly. On account of that, much of North-West Africa has been with security problems that were not there before: Libya, Chad, 22 Mali, Niger, parts of Nigeria, Central African Republic and Cameroon. Who is responsible for this haemorrhage?” he asked.
He added: “Africa can defend itself against any and all aggressors if we coordinate. In 1963, our leaders met in Addis Ababa (only 36 of them at that time) and declared that the rest of Africa must be freed peacefully or Africa will use force.
“It is up to us to show all and sundry, that we matter and we have the capacity. We defeated the Islamic hoodlums in Somalia; we defeated the racist Whites in Southern Africa. We can defend Africa if we act together and act right.”
However, the United Nations Watch had observed that the poll was rigged, citing military intimidation of political opponents, and shutting down of the internet during the election.
Museveni was Sworn in for the 6th term after been in power for the past 35 years.
