President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has issued his strongest warning yet against outside interference in his country’s affairs. Of course, he has however failed to mention if he will hold back from seeking military support from the same regional bodies and powers. Coming amidst the recent backdrop of troubles in the country, Museveni’s strongly worded warning still remains one of the more revealing moments that we’ve seen of how he avoids international isolation of Uganda.

The 75 year old incumbent worked hard to [remove] the presidential age limits that would have required his retirement in 2005. Amidst a series of unrelated Constitutional amendments came the new Article 105. In power for 32 years, Museveni will now be able to stand for president in the 2021 polls. Increasing signs of a heightened opposition to Museveni’s rule might have motivated his statement as he is increasingly wary of the international reaction to ongoing controversies, as explained in the Africanews story here.

Uganda is a member of the Commonwealth, the United Nations, and many other regional organizations. These organizations at least nominally vouch for the promotion of representative democracy, human right, equality, etc. Uganda under the Museveni regime has consistently acted contrary to the aspirations of these institutions.

Museveni has a strategy of warning against foreign interference in the politics of Uganda while inviting foreign support when it suits him. In Museveni’s’ opinion, some of these foreign bodies are funding NGOs that in turn oppose him. The regime remains trapped in a its new balancing act, not wanting to be a pariah but continuing to only feign at being a democrat and pretend that Uganda is a democratic nation.