The government has announced an elaborate programme for the swearing-in and inauguration of President-elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, scheduled for May 12, 2026, at Kololo Ceremonial Independence Grounds in Kampala.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, State Minister in charge of the Presidency Milly Babalanda said the ceremony will run from 8:00am to 2:00pm under the theme, “Protecting the gains, making a qualitative leap into high middle-income status.” She was accompanied by the ruling party Secretary General Richard Todwong.
Babalanda outlined a series of nationwide activities leading up to the inauguration, including coordinated thanksgiving prayers across religious institutions.
According to the schedule, mosques will host prayers on May 8, Seventh Day Adventist churches on May 9, and other Christian denominations on May 10.
“We appeal to all Ugandans to attend these prayers for peace and stability of our country in their respective places of worship,” Babalanda said, framing the initiative as part of efforts to foster national unity ahead of the transition.
The minister also placed the upcoming inauguration within Uganda’s broader electoral history, noting that the country has held regular elections every five years since the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution.
She described the process as evidence of sustained democratic practice over the past three decades.
“Ugandans have enjoyed more than three decades of uninterrupted stable democratic processes,” she said, adding that voters had once again returned Museveni to office for another five-year term.
Babalanda cited constitutional provisions governing the assumption of presidential office, noting that Article 103(8) requires the president-elect to assume office within 24 hours after the expiry of the incumbent’s term.
She added that the law mandates the taking of both the Oath of Allegiance and the Presidential Oath before formally assuming office.
“The swearing-in ceremony marks the formal commencement of the Presidential Term,” she stated.
The government has extended invitations to a wide range of stakeholders, including cabinet ministers, members of both the outgoing 11th Parliament and incoming 12th Parliament, civil servants, diplomats, and leaders from religious and cultural institutions.
Structures of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) across the country are also expected to participate.
In addition, Babalanda confirmed that more than 30 international delegations and several liberation movements have already confirmed attendance, signalling what officials describe as Uganda’s continued diplomatic engagement on the regional and global stage.
Security agencies are expected to release further guidelines in the coming days regarding access, accreditation, and public participation at the Kololo venue, which has historically hosted major national events.
The inauguration is set to mark another milestone in Uganda’s political calendar, drawing both domestic attention and international interest as the country prepares for the next phase of its leadership.