74-year-old Uganda president Museveni endorsed for re-election by ruling party

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has been endorsed by the executive committee of the country's ruling party, National Resistance Movement, for the next presidential election in 2021.

According to the ruling party, it endorsed Museveni as its presidential candidate because the 74-year-old is popular, Reuters reports.

Legit.ng gathers that Museveni, who has been president since 1986, took over the mantle of leadership after a five-year guerrilla war, making him one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders.

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On Monday, February 18, spokesman for NRM, Rogers Mulindwa, said: “Museveni will be our presidential candidate. He is very popular."

According to report, the decision now goes to the party membership for formal confirmation.

According to report, one of his opponents in the next polls could be singer and lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi.

Kyagulanyi, who has been a critic of Museveni's long rule and government excesses through his lyrics, is said to have rattled officials with his fast-growing support base.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, in a speech, declared his love for US president, Donald Trump, saying America has got one of the best presidents ever.

Museveni said: "America has got one of the best presidents ever. I love Trump because he tells Africans frankly. The Africans need to solve their problems, the Africans are weak."

Museveni who is one of the longest serving president in Africa, said this during the opening of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in the Ugandan capital of Kampala.

His defence of the US president came just hours after the US ambassador to Uganda, Deborah Malac, criticised Trump.

Malac said Trump's comments were 'obviously quite disturbing and upsetting'.

President Donald Trump was accused of referring to African nations as "shithole" countries during an immigration meeting.

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However, Trump had denied making the remarks, but US senators who attended the meeting said he indeed made such remark.

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Source: Legit.ng