‘You Can’t Be President for 10 Years Plus’ – African President Tells Museveni On His Long-Term Rule

Botswana's President, Duma Boko, recently made a strong statement against leaders who stay in power for too long.Speaking to the public, he boldly said, "Anybody who wants to be president for more than 10 years is a failure."

His words have sparked a lot of discussion, especially among Ugandans, many of whom are critical of their president, Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for over 40 years.

Boko’s statement came during a conference where he discussed leadership in Africa.

He argued that any president who wants to rule for more than ten years is not taking the job seriously.

He added, “If you take the job seriously, you cannot do it for more than 10 years.”

According to Boko, long-term rule often leads to failure because leaders become out of touch with the people’s needs and stop bringing fresh ideas to the table.

His comments quickly gained attention in Uganda, where Museveni’s long rule has been a controversial topic for many years.

Ugandans, particularly members of the opposition, were quick to support Boko’s views.

Human rights activist Dr. Sarah Bireete shared a video of Boko’s statement, calling out presidents who seek to rule for life as "outright failures."

Many Ugandans shared their thoughts on social media, with some agreeing strongly with Boko.

One commenter, Wafula Ogutu, said, "After 40 years of bad rule and poor results, one is still hoping to do better!"

Another, named Jose, pointed out, "He didn’t lie; already we have our failure here."

Many Ugandans see Museveni’s long rul.e as a major reason for their country’s economic struggles and other challenges.

However, not everyone agrees with Boko’s view. Some defend long-term leadership, arguing that stability is important, especially in countries that have faced many challenges.

They believe that a leader who stays in power can bring consistency and long-term plans for national development.

Despite these different views, Boko’s words remind us of a growing desire across Africa for leadership that is accountable, transparent, and responsive to the people.

In countries like Uganda, where long-term leaders have become a part of the political landscape, it remains to be seen whether voices like Boko’s will lead to real change.