“I, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni swear in the name of the Almighty God that I shall faithfully exercise the functions of the President of the Republic of Uganda, I will uphold, preserve, protect and defend the constitution, and observe the laws of Uganda, and I shall promote the welfare of the people of Uganda, so help me God,” Uganda’s President elect said today (Thursday), taking his oath of allegiance amidst cheers from the large crowd gathered at kololo Airstrip.
Museveni was announced by Dr Kiggundu, Chairman of the electoral commission, as the winner of the February 18, 2016 Presidential elections, defeating fellow candidates; Forum for Democratic Change’s Kizza Besigye, Prof Baryamureeba, Ms Kyala, Mr Joseph Mabiriizi, Go Forward’s Amama Mbabazi, Mr Abed Bwanika of the PDP, and Gen Benon Biraaro.
Accompanied by the First Lady, He later signed the oath and was handed the instruments of power by Justice Bart Katureebe. The instruments included the Constitution, the National flag, the presidential standard flag, the National Anthem, the Court of Arms and the Public Seal.
He thus begins his fifth term having been in power since 1986.
In his speech, President Museveni promised to unite Uganda and continue to work towards improving the livelihoods of all Ugandans.
Museveni called upon all African brothers and sisters to work for total peace in Congo, Burundi, Somalia and Central African Republic.
He said that his government must expunge two weaknesses-corruption by public officials and delay of decision-making.
“These two mistakes irritate the pubic and frustrate the investors. It is betraying the country in this Kisanja (term of office), I will directly deal with the weaknesses. While in the past I have relied on the accounting officers to do the needful as they are mandated by the Constitution, this time I will act directly so as to discipline the Public Service as we disciplined the army,” he stated
Several religious leaders that include Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga [Catholic-Hierarchy], Robert Kayanja, Senior Pastor of the Miracle Centre Cathedral, Mufti Of Uganda, H.E. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje attended the function.
15 Heads of state from several African countries attended the historical ceremony that had since Monday brought the City of Kampala to a standstill as the Heads of State and Government delegates descended into the country.
editor@ugchristiannews.com
