Kampala, Uganda — Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is set to be sworn in for a seventh term on May 12, 2026, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, following his victory in the January general election.
The confirmation was announced by the Uganda Media Centre, which said the ceremony will be held under the theme: “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into a Middle-Income Status.”
Government officials have framed the upcoming inauguration as a continuation of Uganda’s long-term development trajectory, pointing to key economic and social indicators they say reflect steady progress over the past decades.
In official communication shared online, the government highlighted rising life expectancy, growth in exports such as coffee, and a decline in subsistence farming, now estimated at about 33 percent of households. Authorities also cited ongoing industrialisation efforts and anticipated oil production from the Lake Albert region later in 2026 as milestones for the next phase of growth.
In a metaphor shared on official platforms, President Museveni likened Uganda’s progress to an aircraft in motion.
“We are not landing yet, we are adjusting altitude, picking speed, and heading into the next phase of growth, with oil, railways, factories, and exports all coming onboard,” he said in a message circulated by the Government of Uganda.
Supporters have echoed this outlook, pointing to improvements in sectors such as tourism and science and technology, while projecting ambitions of building a $500 billion economy in the long term.
However, the announcement comes amid continued criticism from opposition figures, including Robert Kyagulanyi, who have disputed the election outcome and alleged irregularities in the voting process.
Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have also raised concerns about post-election arrests and the broader political environment following the polls.
The swearing-in ceremony at Kololo is expected to attract regional leaders, diplomats, and thousands of Ugandans, marking another milestone in President Museveni’s decades-long leadership.
As the country prepares for the inauguration, the contrasting narratives — government emphasis on stability and economic gains versus opposition concerns over governance and electoral integrity — continue to shape the national conversation.
