Ugandan elections: Russian President Putin congratulates Museveni

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on winning a seventh term in office, which extends his 40-year rule.

In a letter to Museveni on 22 January, President Putin wished the Ugandan leader "success, good health and well-being."

Putin also expressed hope that Museveni’s re-election would boost "mutually beneficial" bilateral cooperation between Russia and Uganda.

With Vladimir Putin’s message, Russia has become the first major global political, military and economic player to congratulate Museveni following last week’s elections.

Many African leaders have since offered their congratulations to the 81-year-old Ugandan leader, who has been in power since 1986.

President Museveni’s election victory, as announced by the electoral commission, has granted him a seventh term of five years.

Uganda’s trajectory

He secured 71.6% of the vote against the 24.7% of his main challenger, musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who has since rejected the results, alleging irregularities.

The opposition have also claimed violence against Bobi Wine’s supporters. The authorities have rejected the claims and said opposition supporters had caused trouble during the elections with many arrested for alleged involvement in violence.

Museveni, who is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, is expected to remain in power until 2031.

While critics accuse him of heavy-handedness, his supporters credit him for Uganda’s relative peace and stability as well as economic growth, with the country expected to start commercial production of crude oil later this year.