Independence Square in Uganda witnesses the inauguration of President Museveni

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

The Ugandan capital, Kampala, is witnessing the performance ceremony Constitutional oath Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who was re-elected following the presidential election held on January 14, arrived at Kololo Independence Square in preparation for the inauguration of the elected president, amid anticipation of various entertainment activities.

Samia Salouhi receives a number of leaders

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhi Hassan, was received by a number of leaders upon her arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda today, May 12, 2026. President Dr. Samia arrived in the country to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, which will be held at Kololo Square in Kampala.

4 decades in power in Uganda

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for four decades, is sworn in on Tuesday to extend his stay in power for a new five-year presidential term, which may be his last, but may not be the last for the Museveni family.

The president’s son, and leading candidate to succeed him, Army Chief General Muhoozi Kaynerogaba, is overseeing days of rehearsals for the military parade to be held during Museveni’s eighth inauguration ceremony, as Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets fly noisily over the official ceremonial ground in the capital, Kampala.

It appears that many Ugandans are now accepting that Museveni’s presidency, which millions have known all their lives, is nearing its end, while uncertainty remains about the nature of the transition and how smooth it will be after he leaves power.

Kaneirogaba appears to be a leading candidate to take over the presidency, having openly declared his desire to succeed his father, and recently stating that “the mission cannot be stopped.”.

However, his path to power remains complicated and may take one of two routes: either a bloodless but unconstitutional takeover of power, or a constitutional amendment that allows the parliament, dominated by the ruling party, to choose Museveni's successor.

Winning a general election is seen as a difficult hurdle for Kanerogaba, especially with competition from opposition leader Bobi Wine, the famous entertainer who ran for president twice and rejected the results of the January election that gave Museveni a new term.