Being president for a very long time is not a bad thing - Uganda's Museveni

One of the longest serving African presidents, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni has stated that being a president for a long time has gained him more experience.

The 72-year-old leader made the remark on Tuesday during the State of the Nation address in parliament that lasted for three-hours due to heckling by the opposition, local media The Observerreports .

“Being president for a very long time is not a bad thing. That is why I am experienced … Even if you woke me up at night, I will tell you what is happening,” he said off the script in response to opposition rants.

“If you want to be a leader, you should avoid prejudice because prejudice can make you live with envy; you will end up getting high blood pressure,” he was quoted by The Observer.

Museveni has been in power for 31 years and always justifies his presidency.

“This old man who has saved the country, how do you want him to go? How can I go out of a banana plantation I have planted that has started bearing fruits?” he said in 2016 ahead of the general elections which he successfully contested for his fifth term in office.

Corruption remains a serious problem in Uganda and Museveni has faced criticism for not taking a stronger line.

He has recently criticized state agencies including the police for not doing enough to solve corruption within their ranks.