President Museveni has said his long stay in power is a ‘continuation of the struggle’ he started 40 years ago. Museveni made the remarks in South Africa on Friday 21, 2011 during a news conference attended by his South African Counterpart Jacob Zuma.

According to a statement from the President’s Press Office, Museveni is said to have quoted as having said that he has stayed in power because he wins elections.

"We are there because we win elections”, Museveni reportedly added:  “I consider my continued stay as President of Uganda as a continuation of the struggle I started 40 years ago.”

This week President Museveni celebrates 25 years since he took over power following a five-year bloody war. At the same time, Museveni under his NRM party, is seeking re-election for another 5-year term in elections to be held February 18, 2011. In 2001, he pushed for the removal of Constitutional provision limiting presidents to a maximum of two terms in power.

Museveni (pictured) was in South Africa at the invitation of his counterpart Jacob Zuma to commemorate the enactment of the “Battle of Isandhlwana” to be held at the Isandhlwana Battlefield where the Kwazulu people fought and defeated the white man in 1914.

Zuma donates to Ugandan military

During the joint press conference, President Zuma announced a donation of equipment amounting to 7,000,000 Rand to the Oliver Tambo Military Academy in Kaweweta, in Nakaseke district of Uganda.

President Museveni and his host also oversaw the signing of a number of cooperation agreements between the two countries. He also discussed with his host important issues related to the region, continental and reforming the United Nations.

Museveni defends EC

Museveni also reportedly defended the Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) saying that those who complain about its impartiality are the opposition groups.

"The opposition groups make noise because they fear defeat. We do not have popular demands in Uganda, these are isolated voices", he said.

President Museveni explained that the Electoral Commission which is charged with organizing elections is appointed and approved by democratic institutions in Uganda where opposition members are represented. blog comments powered by Disqus

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