KAMPALA, UGANDA — The government has confirmed President Yoweri Museveni swearing-in date. Museveni will be sworn in for a new five-year term following his victory in the January 2026 presidential election. Officials have outline key details of the upcoming national ceremony.
According to a special announcement issued by the Uganda Media Centre under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.
The event will be held under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap Into High Middle-Income Status.”
Officials say preparations are already in high gear, with a national organising committee overseeing the arrangements. The committee is led by Yunus Kakande, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President.
“Many dignitaries from around the world are expected to attend,” the statement noted, signalling the significance of the ceremony on both national and international levels.
The announcement was signed by Alan Kasujja, Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre.
2026 Presidential Election Results
According to the Electoral Commission of Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni was declared winner of the January 2026 presidential election with a decisive majority.
Yoweri Museveni (NRM) — 71.65%
Robert Kyagulanyi (NUP) — 24.72%
Nandala Mafabi (FDC) — 1.88%
Mugisha Muntu (ANT) — 0.53%
Frank Bulira Kabinga — 0.41%
Robert Kasibante — 0.30%
Mubarak Munyagwa — 0.29%
Elton Joseph Mabirizi — 0.21%
The Electoral Commission declared Museveni the winner after securing well above the required 50 percent threshold.
Opposition Fallout
Following the announcement of results, opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, reportedly fled the country citing security concerns and alleging intimidation of his supporters. His departure has added to tensions surrounding the post-election period, with his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), maintaining that the election was not free and fair.
In the weeks that followed, Kyagulanyi has been active on the international stage, including engagements at United States Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where he met lawmakers and policy actors.
During these engagements, he called for targeted sanctions against Ugandan officials and urged a freeze on funding to certain security agencies, arguing that such measures would pressure reforms and accountability in Uganda’s governance and electoral processes. (See related reporting Here, There and Over There).
There has been no official confirmation on whether President Yoweri Museveni has invited Kyagulanyi to attend the swearing-in ceremony. However, given the deep political divisions and Kyagulanyi’s continued rejection of the election results, it remains uncertain — and widely doubted by observers — that he would attend even if such an invitation were extended.
Other Opposition Figures
Meanwhile, veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye — who challenged Museveni in four previous presidential elections — has been in prison since 2024. His continued detention has remained a point of concern among his supporters and rights advocates, further highlighting the strained political environment in the country following successive electoral cycles. (See related reports Here, There and Over There).
Historical Context
President Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986, when his National Resistance Army (NRA) took control of the country after a five-year bush war. The conflict, which was largely fought in the Luweero Triangle, is estimated to have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and left deep scars on communities in Uganda. Museveni has often cited the war as a turning point that shaped his government’s emphasis on stability and security.
Now marking about four decades in power, Museveni is among Africa’s longest-serving leaders. By the end of his new term in 2031, he will have ruled Uganda for approximately 45 years, a tenure that continues to draw both praise for stability and criticism from opponents who argue for political transition in the country.
Swearing-in Date Confirmed
The government further confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony will be held on May 12, 2026.
The Kololo ceremony is expected to attract government officials, foreign leaders, diplomats, and members of the public, making it one of Uganda’s most significant state events this year.
Meanwhile, there has been projections on who could be appointed minister in Museveni’s new cabinet, as reported Here, There and Over There.
