Ugandans are reacting to a declaration by President Yoweri Museveni and his wife Janet who apologized to Buganda and Ugandans for their mistakes.
Speaking at the Light Up Uganda for Jesus Mission 2025 convention at the Kololo Independence Grounds in the capital Kampala on May 25, 2025, Museveni and Janet offered a joint public apology.
They also apologized to Buganda, a key central Uganda region which is home to the country’s capital and most significant kingdom.
“We acknowledge that we are human, have missed you and have made mistakes in one way or the other. Forgive us, oh Lord. “As the top leaders of the Movement, we humbly take responsibility for all the mistakes made by ourselves, our agents and representatives,” the first couple said at the convention hosted by their daughter Pastor Patience Rwabwogo of Covenant Nations Church.
“We stand here to repent and ask for your forgiveness, especially from the people of Buganda, and the whole country. There has been marked laxity, negligence and lack of diligence.”
In their written prayer of repentance, the Musevenis also acknowledged that “many grassroots supporters have become angry and often feel neglected or forgotten.”
They continued: “The way we came to [Ugandans] in the beginning is the way we are coming to them again: to resurrect our mutual love, respect, commitment and support. Lord, restore the favour we had at the beginning. Soften hardened hearts and connect us to the original vision of national unity and transformation.”
Below are some reactions from Ugandans online:
“I am far away and may have missed a lot going on but the apology at Kololo by the President and First Lady admitted mistakes and asked for forgiveness. It’s a political statement, no matter the forum, that logically should lead to a National Dialogue Conference on the way forward,” wrote Augustine Ruzindana.
“There is indeed a lot of anger in the country caused by the “mistakes” for which forgiveness was requested and this provides an opportunity to discuss the contrition and process of forgiveness and way forward.”
“If Museveni really meant his apology, let him pay back want he owes Buganda, give back their land, release all the Buganda children that are rotting away in jails, that would be a great start. Otherwise talina kyatugamba,” wrote a one Pliam on microblogging site X, formerly Twitter.
“The only genuine apology M7 can give Ugandans is to hand over power to Ugandans,” opined Jeje Odea.
Forgiveness without repentance and action is empty. Gen Museveni isn’t asking for forgiveness out of conviction—he’s asking because he wants votes from Buganda. Yet even as he says “sorry,” his son continues abducting, torturing, and k!ll!ng Ugandans with pride and zero accountability,” argued Patrick Ssekabira.
“True forgiveness must come with change. But here, the impunity continues. Museveni wants Buganda’s vote, but trust me—this time, he’ll lose just like he lost in 1980. The only difference is, age has caught up with him—he won’t be running to the bush again. Ugandans have awakened. We can forgive—but we will not forget. And we will not reward pain with votes.”
It should be remembered that first son and CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the man at the centre of some key allegations against the Museveni regime, was absent.
Infact, Gen Muhoozi and his supporters attacked Pastor Patience’s husband Rwabwogo when he warned against bringing back Bachwezi, who Muhoozi associates with – yet Muhoozi keeps confessing Jesus Christ sometimes, as reported Here and There.
A day after his parents’ apology, Muhoozi also issued an apology and ceased fire against the German Ambassador who the UPDF now accuses of funding rebel activities, the basis of which the army has suspended defence ties with Germany. (See Details Here and There).
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