iron hand

This subject is governed by fear, surrendering their agency to the grip of cult-like devotion and the iron hand of strongman figures.

Mr Museveni is accused by his critics of ruling Uganda with an iron hand since taking power in 1986, but his supporters praise him for maintaining stability in the East African state.

His critics say Mr Kagame's thundering majorities come as no surprise as he rules with an iron hand.

“President Xi in China controls 1.4 billion people, with an iron hand, no drug problems. You know why?”

President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for nearly 30 years, accuses the West of trying to use the vote to undermine his government and “destabilize” the nation of 9.5 million people.