Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa has officially begun his seventh elected term in office, extending his leadership to four decades in power as the veteran leader used his swearing-in ceremony to rally Ugandans toward wealth creation, job creation and economic transformation.
The colorful state ceremony took place this today (May 12, 2026) at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala proceeded uninterrupted despite weeks of political tension following the disputed 2026 presidential elections.
Museveni, the candidate of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), was declared winner with more than 70 percent of the vote, defeating his closest challenger, National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Immediately after the Electoral Commission announced the results, Kyagulanyi rejected the outcome, alleging widespread vote rigging and declaring himself the “legitimately elected president.”
However, despite his claims, the opposition leader did not file a formal court petition challenging the results. Instead, he threatened nationwide protests and vowed to do everything possible to prevent Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony from taking place.
Days later, Kyagulanyi disappeared from the public scene, claiming he was being hunted by security agencies before later leaving the country. Security forces denied the allegations, insisting there were no plans to arrest him.
The developments sparked intense debate on social media, where some netizens argued the opposition leader was attempting to stage a political comeback by attracting public sympathy and international attention.
Kyagulanyi later announced plans to return to Uganda to stop the inauguration ceremony. But in what many government supporters described as a dramatic anti-climax, he returned quietly on the eve of the swearing-in and was escorted by security personnel to his home in Magere, Kasangati, without confrontation or incident.
Meanwhile, Kampala remained calm as thousands gathered physically at Kololo while millions more followed the historic event through live television broadcasts and online streams. The ceremony attracted several heads of state and foreign delegations from countries including Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea and Venezuela, underlining Uganda’s growing diplomatic and strategic influence within the region.
In a notable departure from previous inaugurations, Museveni was accompanied not by First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Kataaha Museveni, but by his daughter Natasha Karugire, who stood beside him as he took the oath of office, drawing attention from political observers and the public alike.
In his address after taking the oath, Museveni delivered a lengthy speech blending English, Luganda, Kiswahili and other local languages as he reflected on Uganda’s turbulent history, regional solidarity and the future direction of the country.
The President paid tribute to Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique for the support they offered Ugandans during the country’s years of political turmoil before the National Resistance Army captured power in 1986.
He recalled how many Ugandans fleeing instability found refuge in Kenya and Tanzania, while liberation fighters received military support that helped build what eventually became the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Museveni urged Ugandans never to forget the role those countries played during Uganda’s difficult years, describing regional cooperation as a foundation for the country’s peace and stability.
He also turned his attention to Uganda’s younger generation, whom he famously refers to as the “Bazukulu” or grandchildren, thanking them for supporting the NRM government while humorously reminding them not to forget the older generation that fought the liberation struggle.
“But don’t forget us the elders,” Museveni joked, drawing laughter from the audience.
The President congratulated the NRM for what he described as a decisive victory at various electoral levels across the country and also commended opposition parties including Uganda Peoples Congress and the Democratic Party among others, for taking party without resorting to violence, like NUP and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
But the central message of Museveni’s speech revolved around economic empowerment.
Declaring that the new term should be known as “Kisanja No More Sleep for Ugandans,” Museveni urged citizens to move away from dependency and focus on wealth creation using government programs and the prevailing peaceful environment.
He argued that families which embraced the NRM’s economic messages over the years had managed to escape poverty through hard work and enterprise.
“With the advent of NRM, the families that cared to listen to our messages got out of poverty,” he said.
Using giant screens mounted at Kololo Grounds, Museveni showcased images and videos of modern housing estates, roads and urban expansion around Kampala, insisting that the visible transformation was the result of Ugandans’ own efforts under the stability created by the NRM government.
“All those new houses were built by Ugandans, not foreigners,” he noted, describing the developments as evidence of Uganda’s economic progress over the last 40 years.
Museveni said the NRM had made seven historic contributions that transformed Uganda, beginning with restoring peace by rejecting sectarian politics based on religion and tribe and promoting national unity instead.
He highlighted infrastructure development, expansion of schools, health centres, electricity and improved public services as part of the government’s achievements since 1986.
He emphasized wealth creation as the backbone of individual and national transformation, arguing that development without wealth was unsustainable.
According to Museveni, wealth can be generated by individuals, families, companies or governments through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, artisanship and services.
The President stressed that job creation cannot exist without wealth creation, insisting that economic productivity must remain the country’s top priority if Uganda is to achieve middle-income status.
He further pointed to markets as the most critical pillar of economic growth, arguing that production alone is meaningless without consumers to buy the goods.
“You cannot talk about development without markets,” Museveni said, emphasizing the need for African integration and stronger regional trade to absorb locally produced goods and services.
He praised East African and African leaders for helping create broader regional markets that now support Ugandan products across the continent.
“The onus is now upon you to play your part. Create wealth, be part of wealth creation and create more jobs,” Museveni told Ugandans as he officially embarked on another five-year term that will further define his legacy after 40 years in power.
