Government has confirmed that more than 30 foreign delegations will attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni scheduled for May 12, 2026, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, said the high-level international attendance reflects Uganda’s diplomatic engagement and the significance of the inauguration event.
Babalanda made the announcement during a joint press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre alongside the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement, Richard Todwong.
She said the ceremony, scheduled to run from 8:00am to 2:00pm, will be held under the theme “Protecting the gains, making a qualitative leap into high middle-income status.”
According to Babalanda, invitations have been extended to foreign governments, members of the diplomatic corps, and several “revolutionary movements,” in addition to local state officials and leaders.
She said the event will formally mark the commencement of the new presidential term, in line with constitutional provisions requiring a president-elect to take oath before assuming office.
“Before assuming the duties of the office of President, a person elected President shall take and subscribe to the Oath of Allegiance and Presidential Oath,” she said.
Babalanda added that preparations also include nationwide thanksgiving prayers scheduled from May 8 to May 10, 2026.
Prayers will be held in mosques on May 8, Seventh-day Adventist churches on May 9, and other Christian denominations on May 10.
She called for public participation, saying the prayers are intended to promote peace and stability ahead of the inauguration.
The minister also referenced Uganda’s electoral history, noting that since the first post-1995 Constitution elections in 1996, the country has maintained regular five-year electoral cycles.
Museveni secured victory in the January 14, 2021 general elections, obtaining 58.38 percent of the total votes cast.
His closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform, received 35.08 percent.
The Electoral Commission of Uganda declared Museveni the winner on January 16, marking his sixth elective term in office.
The election cycle was characterised by a focus on infrastructure and security under the NRM’s “Securing Your Future” manifesto, with post-election legal challenges later dismissed by the Supreme Court, which upheld the official results.