Govt declares May 12 public holiday for presidential swearing-in

KAMPALA - The Minister of Public Service has declared May 12 a public holiday for the general public.

This will be the day President-elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will be officially sworn in for the 2026-2031 term at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Uganda's capital Kampala.
Preparations are going on for the ceremony.

Milly Babalanda, the Minister in charge of the Presidency, this week said over 30 international delegations and several revolutionary movements have confirmed their attendance at Tuesday's inauguration.

The Police and other security agencies said they have carried out extensive threat assessments and are maintaining a heightened state of readiness ahead of the event.

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said for those driving, access to certain routes leading to the venue will be restricted to only those with accredited stickers, excluding the general public.

He said that at the Wampewo roundabout, vehicles will not be allowed to turn onto Wampewo Avenue and will instead be diverted to Jinja Road to access the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) parking and the Phaneroo grounds.

Meanwhile, on Monday (the eve of the swearing-in) at 8pm, President Museveni will deliver a special thank-you message for his January election victory.

"The message will be delivered through a drone show-style aerial display in the skies of Kampala and will last approximately 14 minutes," said the government in a public notice.

"Members of the public are encouraged to look to the skies and witness this national moment."