Museveni still popular and poised for re-election, says Ambassador Otengo

By Patrick Okino

Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, has described President Yoweri Museveni as a deep strategic thinker who is patient, tolerant, and listens more than he speaks.

Speaking on Tuesday during a prayer day attended by political contestants and leaders in Alebtong District, Ambassador Otengo—who also serves as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the African Union—said Uganda remains small but powerful because of its strategic Head of State.

She stated that God has given Uganda a good leader, adding that one of her key responsibilities is facilitating access for influential global figures to meet the President.

Otengo revealed that people from all over the world travel to Addis Ababa to seek President Museveni’s strategic counsel and often leave satisfied after their meetings.

“He is a deep strategic thinker, and when he speaks there is no needle that falls in Mandela Hall that you cannot hear,” she said, noting the great attention paid to his remarks.

“My President is very patient, very tolerant; he listens more than he speaks,” she emphasized, adding that he dislikes blackmail and does not entertain people who speak negatively about others.

She stressed that President Museveni expects those who meet him to focus on development and the well-being of the population.

The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of national unity, citing how former President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote was supported by Ugandans across the country, not only from his home region of Lango.

She said the time has come for Ugandans to move together and support President Museveni in the forthcoming election. “As someone who works in that arena, President Museveni is still popular and will be re-elected. I am telling you this from a wider perspective,” Otengo said.

Ambassador Otengo also commended Bishop Tom Ibrahim Okello of All Nations for supporting the people of Alebtong while they were still in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, urging continued efforts to help households rise out of poverty.

She acknowledged the challenges faced by leaders serving communities with limited resources, noting that they sometimes have to go beyond their usual duties to meet people’s needs.

She urged leaders to work together to ensure that the various government programs aimed at fighting poverty achieve their goals.

She called on both current and incoming leaders to take their oversight role seriously by monitoring government programs for effective implementation.

In his sermon, Bishop Okello urged the community to elect leaders with integrity—people who can represent their constituents well and who are God-fearing.

He encouraged voters to fulfill their civic responsibility by voting, while trusting God to guide the choice of leaders.

“It is God who decides who becomes chairperson, councilor, LC3, LC5, or member of parliament,” he said.

He cautioned voters against accepting money from politicians in exchange for their votes, saying the practice has fueled corruption and pushed leaders to prioritize wealth over service.

He said that in the 1950s, voters offered money to candidates as a gesture of support, but the trend has since reversed, with politicians now spending heavily to secure votes.

“Politicians now do everything they can to give out money to ensure they win elections, and if you don’t have money, you might as well resign,” he said. “This has blinded voters and led them to elect the wrong leaders.”