Museveni to retire

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI has made it categorically clear in a London interview that this is his last term in office. On several occasions including on the Capital Gang, Museveni has indicated that he will respect the constitution and retire. However his critics have persisted in spreading the rumour that he intends to amend the constitution to stand for a third term. This smear campaign was causing uncertainty in the minds of some donors, investors and even Ugandans so it is good that Museveni has scotched the rumour for once and for all. The 1995 Constitution is very clear that a president can only serve two terms of five years. In the final analysis the new constitution will prove to have been the greatest achievement of the Movement period. Through the constitution and the consultative process that underlay it, Uganda has recovered a stable foundation for long-term development and growth. Why would Museveni have squandered this huge achievement of returning Uganda to constitutionalism by seeking a third term in office? It would not make sense. Museveni never said he was seeking a third term so the whole rumour mill that he would stand for a third term was absurd. Having said that, all the world over, dynamic presidents do not roll over and go to sleep when they leave office. Look at Jimmy Carter whose Carter Centre is active in conflict resolution and development throughout Africa and the developing world. Look at Nelson Mandela who has exercised great leadership in Burundi and even in South Africa since retirement. Museveni will still be a political player in Uganda and Africa after 2006. But he will not be President of Uganda.