By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Kampala – As Uganda gears up for the next general elections, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who came to power in 1986 after a five-year rebellion as leader of the National Resistance Army, has embarked on a strategic recruitment drive, targeting influential figures in the music industry to bolster his youth support base.
Museveni’s rise to power was marked by a rebel insurgency that ousted the previous government, and he subsequently ruled the country for 10 years before introducing democratic reforms.
The first elections under his rule were held in 1996, and he has since won every election, with the most recent being marred by allegations of electoral malpractice.
Despite efforts to limit his term in office, Museveni has successfully navigated constitutional changes, including the removal of the two-term limit in 2005 and the scrapping of the 78-year age limit in 2017, paving the way for his continued rule.
In a bid to shore up his popularity among the youth, who constitute a significant majority of the population, Museveni has appointed several key players in the entertainment sector to prominent positions.
Balamu Barugahara, a renowned events organizer, was appointed State Minister for Children and Youths, while youth National MP Phionah Nyamutooro was named State Minister for Minerals.
Both appointments were seen as tactical moves to win over young voters.
In the latest development, President Museveni yesterday appointed Edirisa Musuuza, popularly known as Eddy Kenzo, a top musician and BET award winner, as his presidential adviser on creatives.
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This recruitment drive is viewed as a calculated effort to leverage the influence of these personalities to sway youth votes in favor of the incumbent president, who will be 82 years old by the next election.
Museveni’s move comes as the opposition continues to pose a challenge to his long-standing rule, which has been marked by controversy and allegations of electoral malpractice.
By co-opting popular figures from the music industry, Museveni aims to bolster his appeal among the youth and maintain his grip on power.
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