President Museveni on Monday evening hosted a high-profile state dinner at Speke Resort Munyonyo, welcoming regional leaders, former heads of state, diplomats, and foreign dignitaries ahead of his swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The event brought together senior government officials, regional envoys, and invited guests in what officials described as both a diplomatic engagement and a show of regional solidarity ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
President Museveni, accompanied by his daughter Natasha Museveni Karugire, arrived at about 8:40pm to applause from dignitaries gathered for the ceremonial dinner.
Among the notable guests were South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials from the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and Rwanda’s Prime Minister.
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also attended alongside ministers, diplomats, and regional representatives.
The gathering highlighted Uganda’s continued strategic role within the East African region and the broader African continent, particularly in matters of diplomacy, regional integration, and security cooperation.
Security around Speke Resort Munyonyo and across Kampala remained tight throughout the evening as preparations intensified for the swearing-in event.
Roads leading to major government installations and ceremonial venues were heavily guarded, with joint security agencies deployed to manage traffic flow and protocol arrangements.
Museveni’s inauguration marks another chapter in Uganda’s political history, with the veteran leader remaining a dominant figure in the country’s politics for nearly four decades.
Over the years, Uganda’s inauguration ceremonies have also evolved into major diplomatic occasions, drawing regional allies and international partners for discussions on peace, trade, infrastructure, and regional security.
The presence of leaders from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region comes amid ongoing regional challenges, including instability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, tensions in Sudan, and continued efforts to strengthen economic integration through the East African Community.
Delegates attending the dinner were seen holding informal discussions on cross-border security, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation, issues that continue to shape relations among African states.
Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony is expected to attract thousands of invited guests, including political leaders, cultural representatives, religious figures, and members of the diplomatic corps.