President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was sworn in for another five‑year term at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, a ceremony marked by a 21‑gun salute, military parades and fighter‑jet fly‑overs. The 81‑year‑old leader, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, took the oath at 11:50 a.m. under a scorching midday sun, reaffirming a tenure that makes him one of Africa’s longest‑serving heads of state.
Museveni’s victory was decisive, with official results showing him receiving roughly 71 percent of the vote, while his main challenger, opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) of the National Unity Platform, garnered about 25 percent. In the weeks following the poll, Kyagulanyi fled to the United States with his family after reports that security forces had surrounded his home and his wife was assaulted – allegations the government denied. The episode has intensified long‑standing concerns about electoral conduct and the role of the security apparatus in Uganda’s politics.
The inauguration was as much a display of state power as a political ritual. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son and chief of the defence forces, stood prominently beside his father, underscoring the growing prominence of the First Family in national affairs. The president’s daughters – Natasha Karugire, Patience Rwabogo and Diana Kyaremera – and his brother, Gen. Salim Saleh, also featured in the ceremony, reflecting a system where formal institutions coexist with family‑linked influence networks.
Notably absent was First Lady Janet Museveni, who has traditionally been a visible figure in government events. Her reduced public profile has sparked speculation, though no official explanation has been offered.
The cost of the spectacle has drawn criticism amid a strained economy. Government estimates place the total outlay 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, legislation that tightens controls on foreign funding and criminalises vaguely defined economic sabotage. While supporters say the law safeguards national interests, the Bank of Uganda’s governor warned that its ambiguity could deter foreign investment and remittances, which together exceed US$1.5 billion annually. The bill was enacted with minimal amendment despite concerns from economists and civil‑society groups.
Attention now turns to the formation of Museveni’s next cabinet. The outgoing team has been criticised 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 fissures within the ruling elite.
International observers note that Uganda’s internal dynamics are unfolding under growing diplomatic pressure. Several senior officials have faced sanctions from Western governments over alleged human‑rights abuses and corruption, and the country’s foreign‑policy posture is being compared to that of other long‑rule 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 next months will reveal how the new cabinet navigates these challenges and whether the entrenched power structure can adapt to a youthful, increasingly restless population.
