May 12 has been declared a public holiday for President Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony.
Kampala is currently a beehive of activity as the nation moves into the final countdown for the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Yoweri Museveni. Scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the event marks the beginning of the President’s seventh elective term. With the government declaring the day a public holiday, the capital is bracing for a massive influx of international dignitaries, security operations, and a temporary reorganization of public services.
The theme for this year’s inauguration, “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status,” sets a high bar for the proceedings, which are expected to draw over 40,000 guests to the historic Kololo Independence Grounds.
A National Holiday: Time for Reflection and Celebration
The Ministry of Public Service officially declared May 12 a public holiday to allow citizens across the country to follow the proceedings. Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda noted that while the main event is in Kampala, the spirit of the day is nationwide.
To prepare the spiritual ground, a series of national prayers have been organized:
- Friday, May 8: National prayers led by the Muslim community.
- Saturday, May 9: Seventh-day Adventist congregations to hold special services.
- Sunday, May 10: Anglican and Catholic churches will lead nationwide intercessions for peace and national unity.
NIRA on the Move: Shifting Operations to Kitante
One of the most significant logistical changes for Kampala residents is the temporary relocation of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). Usually headquartered at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, NIRA has officially moved its service operations to Kitante to accommodate the strict security protocols and infrastructure needs of the inauguration.
What Citizens Need to Know:
- Service Continuity: Despite the move, NIRA officials have assured the public that the Mass Enrollment and Renewal Exercise—critical for those whose IDs are expiring in 2026—will continue without interruption at the temporary Kitante site.
- Security Perimeter: The Kololo grounds have been cordoned off as a “Special Security Zone.” Access is restricted to accredited personnel and security teams installing high-tech monitoring equipment for the 35 heads of state expected to attend.
- Road Closures: The public is advised that Wampewo Avenue and parts of Acacia Avenue will experience intermittent closures leading up to and during the ceremony.
Dignitaries and Global Alliances
The 2026 inauguration is shaping up to be a major diplomatic summit. NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong confirmed that delegations from major liberation movements across Africa will be in attendance, including:
- South Africa: African National Congress (ANC)
- Tanzania: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)
- Zimbabwe: ZANU–PF
- Mozambique: FRELIMO
- Rwanda: Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF)
In addition to heads of state from the East African Community (EAC), the presence of over 30 diplomats and high-level representatives from global trade partners underscores Uganda’s strategic position in regional security and economic development.
Economic Expectations for the New Term
As the President takes the oath of allegiance, the spotlight remains on the ambitious economic targets set for the 2026–2031 term. Data from the Ministry of Finance suggests the economy has grown from USD 3.9 billion in 1986 to an estimated USD 66.1 billion by the end of the current financial year.
The “Qualitative Leap” mentioned in the inauguration theme refers to the government’s plan to intensify the Parish Development Model (PDM) and expand presidential skilling hubs. The goal is to shift more households from subsistence farming into the money economy, aiming for a consistent GDP growth rate of over 7% in the coming five years.
Security and Public Order
With 40,000 people expected at Kololo, security is at its highest level. Joint task forces involving the UPDF, Uganda Police, and Special Forces Command (SFC) have been deployed across the city.
“We are ensuring a peaceful transition into the new term,” said a security spokesperson. “We urge the public to cooperate with traffic police and security checks, particularly around the Kitante and Kololo areas, to ensure the safety of all Ugandans and our international guests.”
As the flags go up and the red carpet is rolled out, May 12 promises to be more than just a ceremony; it is a day where the eyes of the continent will be fixed on Kampala as Uganda charts its course for the next five years.
