Uganda Gazettes May 12 Public Holiday for Museveni Swearing-In 2026

The Government of Uganda has officially gazetted Tuesday, May 12, 2026, as a public holiday to facilitate nationwide participation in the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The event, scheduled to take place at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, marks the beginning of Museveni’s seventh elective term following his decisive victory in the January 15 presidential elections.

The theme for the 2026 inauguration is “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap to Higher Middle-Income Status,” reflecting the administration’s focus on accelerating economic transformation.

President Museveni secured re-election with 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65% of the valid votes cast—the first time he has crossed the 70% threshold since 1996. His closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform, garnered 2,741,238 votes (24.72%), while Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change finished third with 1.88%.

NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong characterized the results as a sweeping mandate, noting that the ruling party also secured 372 out of 529 parliamentary seats and a majority of local government chairperson positions.

Preparations for the ceremony are being managed by a National Organizing Committee chaired by Lucy Nakyobe. The event is expected to draw approximately 40,000 guests, including 30 confirmed international delegations.

Among those expected are representatives from major political movements, including South Africa’s African National Congress, Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Rwanda’s Rwandan Patriotic Front, and China’s Communist Party.

• Court Martial Convicts Wakiso Taxi Driver Over UPDF Attire
• Court Martial Sentences Two State Informers to Death
• Renegade Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu Apprehended in Soroti City Over Subversive Activities
• Abraham Luzzi Slasts UEDCL After Blackout Interrupts Birthday Party
• Celebrated Comedian Kapere Passes Away

In the lead-up to the ceremony, the country will hold nationwide interfaith thanksgiving prayers starting this Friday for the Muslim community, followed by Seventh-day Adventists on Saturday and Christians on Sunday.

Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda confirmed that security has been heightened across Kampala, with the Uganda Police Force leading a multi-agency operation supported by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Special Forces Command.

Authorities will issue specific traffic guidelines closer to the date to manage the influx of international and local visitors. As final preparations at Kololo reach their peak, the government has encouraged public participation and urged all citizens to maintain discipline and peace throughout the historic occasion.