As Uganda prepares for President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in at Kololo Independence Ceremonial Grounds, concerns are emerging over the cost and scale of the event, with a former principal Road Safety officer in the Ministry of Works and Transport questioning the government’s priorities.
The ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, is expected to attract dozens of foreign dignitaries, including more than 30 heads of state.
Chief Justice Flavian Zeija will preside over the oath-taking, which officially ushers in Museveni’s new term following his victory in the January election.
Security has already been tightened across Kampala, with traffic disruptions expected.
In his remarks, the former official questioned the extent of resources being committed to the ceremony.
“How much money are we actually spending on this ceremony?” he asked. “The scale of it feels like we are reenacting independence from the British.”
He also raised concern over the week-long aerial displays by military jets, saying they have unsettled residents in Kampala.
“For an entire week, jets have been flying over Kampala, triggering panic, shaking malls, and causing unnecessary distress,” he said.
The former officer further criticized the public messaging around Museveni’s 71.6 percent election victory, suggesting that repeated emphasis on the figure risks appearing forced rather than convincing.
He also challenged the continued reliance on the ruling National Resistance Movement’s 1986 liberation narrative, arguing that it no longer reflects the realities of a younger generation.
“We must stop using 1986 as the eternal reference point. Entire generations have been born and grown since then,” he said, calling for a stronger focus on recent achievements.
At the same time, he acknowledged progress within the Works and Transport sector since 2021. He pointed to improved road networks in Bunyoro, upgrades at Entebbe International Airport, and the operational Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre as examples of tangible development.
Despite this, he questioned whether such progress is being overshadowed by what he described as an attempt to project strength through a large-scale ceremony.