President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was sworn in for another five-year term at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. The ceremony featured a 21-gun salute, military parades, and fighter-jet flyovers, taking place under a scorching midday sun at 11:50 a.m. The 81-year-old leader, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, reaffirmed his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving heads of state.
Museveni’s victory in the recent elections was decisive, with official results indicating he received approximately 71 percent of the vote. His main challenger, opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform, garnered about 25 percent. In the weeks following the election, Kyagulanyi fled to the United States with his family after reports emerged that security forces had surrounded his home and assaulted his wife—allegations that the government denied. This incident has intensified long-standing concerns regarding electoral conduct and the role of security forces in Uganda’s political landscape.
The inauguration served as both a display of state power and a political ritual. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son and chief of the defense forces, stood prominently beside his father, highlighting the increasing influence of the First Family in national affairs. The president’s daughters—Natasha Karugire, Patience Rwabogo, and Diana Kyaremera—along with his brother, Gen. Salim Saleh, also participated in the ceremony, reflecting a system where formal institutions coexist with family-linked influence networks.
Notably absent from the event was First Lady Janet Museveni, who has traditionally played a visible role in government functions. Her reduced public profile has sparked speculation, although no official explanation has been provided.
The financial cost of the inauguration has drawn criticism amid a strained economy. Government estimates place the total expenditure for security, logistics, and rehearsals at over 50 billion Ugandan shillings, prompting the finance ministry to request an additional 3 billion shillings from parliament. Critics argue that such spending highlights a disconnect between state priorities and the everyday hardships faced by Ugandans, including high youth unemployment and rising living costs.
In the days leading up to the inauguration, parliament passed the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, which tightens controls on foreign funding and criminalizes vaguely defined economic sabotage. While supporters claim the law safeguards national interests, the governor of the Bank of Uganda warned that its ambiguity could deter foreign investment and remittances, which together exceed US$1.5 billion annually. The bill was enacted with minimal amendments despite concerns raised by economists and civil society groups.
Attention now shifts to the formation of Museveni’s next cabinet. The outgoing team has faced criticism for its size, age profile, and corruption scandals, including the misallocation of aid intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja. Analysts expect the new lineup to retain many incumbents while reshuffling portfolios to accommodate competing factions, particularly those aligned with Gen. Muhoozi and his Patriotic League of Uganda network. Veteran politician Kahinda Otafiire has publicly questioned Muhoozi’s ambitions, indicating potential fissures within the ruling elite.
International observers note that Uganda’s internal dynamics are unfolding under increasing diplomatic pressure. Several senior officials have faced sanctions from Western governments over alleged human rights abuses and corruption, and the country’s foreign policy is being compared to that of other long-ruling states in the region. Nonetheless, Uganda remains deeply integrated into global financial systems, making it vulnerable to shifts in external sentiment.
As Museveni concluded his oath—“I, Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni, swear in the name of Almighty God… to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution”—the ceremony underscored both continuity and the mounting questions surrounding succession, governance, and economic stability. The coming months will reveal how the new cabinet navigates these challenges and whether the entrenched power structure can adapt to a youthful, increasingly restless population.
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