He stressed that those who criticize him do not understand the situation in Africa

Interview… Museveni: Uganda is the Best Democratic Country in the World

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said that dealing with the Chinese is much easier than the Europeans, and confirmed in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel that Europeans suffer arrogance, and that his country is one of the best democracies in the world.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

Mr. President, you were considered a freedom fighter, and a reformer 35 years ago when you came to power, but now many Ugandans see you as a dictator, how does that happen?

I haven't worked in politics for 35 years, but rather for 60 years.

I was active in the student movement, in the resistance, and now in the government.

- You can't give up power?

Uganda is the best democratic country in the world.

And every year we ask the people, Do you want a new president?

At the same time, we in Africa face completely different challenges than in Europe.

If we err in the elections here, the result will be very bad.

Do you think you need a firm hand to overcome the challenges of Uganda?

Those who criticize us do not understand the situation in Africa.

We are working non-stop to change Africa.

In 1969, 96% of the Ugandan people were employed in the informal sector, but now this percentage is much lower than that.

You think that politicians like the opposition politician Bob Wayne will plunge the country into chaos.

Certainly.

The risk in Uganda is much greater than in Europe.

Is this sufficient justification to arrest Wayne supporters and shut down the Internet for several days?

The man was arrested for violating the law.

We have prevented large gatherings of people due to the Corona pandemic.

But Wayne refused to obey these orders, and put people at risk of infection with "Corona".

During the Wayne supporters' protests, about 100 of them were killed by security forces, observers said.

It was a kind of riot.

They attacked the security forces and were shot.

The investigation is still ongoing.

- The European Union foreign affairs official criticized what he described as "excessive violence" by government security forces.

Europeans suffer arrogance.

Such arrogant talk is not acceptable, because people like him talk about things that they do not know what they are.

- You have cut spending on education.

Is this your sustainable policy for developing Uganda?

We spend a lot of money building roads, electricity grids, and defense.

That is why Uganda is an island of peace in the region.

Some believe that defense has nothing to do with education.

But that's the opposite of the truth, because if you don't care about defense, sometimes, there will be no education, and you can look at Somalia.

Some accused your family and friends of corruption and nepotism.

I don't know what you are talking about.

Only one of my sons owns a factory.

The businessmen I know come from China and India.

There are very few Europeans in Uganda, they may find the situation here stressful for them.

In an international transparent ranking against corruption, Uganda ranked 142nd.

There is corruption, but we have put in place a committee to combat it.

And we will be able to overcome it.

And it's not that bad for Uganda, because our economy is growing at a fast pace.

Observers say that Uganda is a military state.

We are a polite people, but I find it difficult to accept preaching from Europeans.

Our democracy is one of the most advanced in the world.

And unlike Germany, for example, we have seats reserved for women.

China has increased its investment in Uganda.

Do you prefer China or Europeans as partners?

The Chinese certainly do not interfere in our affairs.

And do not waste our time.

China wants to do business.

As for dialogue with other (European) countries, I often have to be tactful and listen to what they say, and if I feel that I have to tell them, go to hell.

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"We are spending a lot of money on building roads, electricity and defense networks, and that is why Uganda is an island of peace in the region."

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