Media center staff celebrates Museveni victory

Ofwono Opondo, the government spokesperson put his left leg forward and curved the right one to pull off a rare dance-move. In the circle were other employees of the Uganda Media Centre (UMC), who equally pulled off unique dance strokes.

Ofwono, who is director of UMC and Government spokesperson, was celebrating the victory of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President-elect of Uganda.

As music blared through the leafy compound of UMC, Col. Shaban Bantariza, the deputy government spokesperson, also joined in. Swinging his arms slowly and shaking his belly, he made revellers laugh with some wondering how the vocal retired soldier got to know the latest dance moves, which are always a preserve of Young Turks in high school.

The Executive Director of Uganda Media Center (UMC), Ofwono Opondo dances during the party to celebrate President Museveni's victory

On the serving table,  were an assortment of drinks  and  food. As Ofwono put it, the carousing on February 26 (Friday evening) was a time to celebrate.

"We are celebrating President Museveni's victory," Ofwono said.

Ofwono is also the deputy spokesperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

According to the results released by the Electoral Commission (EC), Museveni won the February 2016 polls with 60%.

Museveni's long-time rival, Dr. Col. Kizza Besigye, who stood on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket got 35%.

Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) Shaban Bantariza dancES with the head Electronic Media, Obed Katureebe

Besigye, whose movements are closely monitored by Police, has since contested the outcome of the February 18 polls describing the results as fraudulent.

Yet according to Bantariza, although one cannot say that there were no glitches, especially the delays in delivery of electoral materials in some parts of the country such as Kampala and Wakiso districts, the elections were by and large free and fair.

Bantariza advised the aggrieved parties to seek legal means rather than preaching violence.

Commenting on the party, Bantariza said that apart from celebrating Museveni's victory, the merrymaking was a sign of teamwork, which is the mission of UMC.

(L-R) Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre (UMC), Shaban Bantariza, the head Electronic Media, Obed Katureebe and the Executive Director of UMC, Ofwono Opondo interact during the party