President Museveni yesterday began his seventh term in office with a declaration that Uganda had entered a “no more sleep” era, urging citizens to focus on wealth creation, job generation, and value addition as the country pushes towards higher middle-income status.
Museveni, who won the January 15, 2026, presidential election, was sworn in at a ceremony held at Kololo Independence Grounds attended by several African heads of state, senior government officials, and foreign delegations.
The chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama, formally introduced Museveni as the duly elected president after securing victory in a race contested by eight candidates.
Chief Justice Flavian Zeija administered the oath of allegiance and the presidential oath in the presence of the Chief Registrar, the Head of Public Service and the Secretary to Cabinet.
“I, Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni, swear in the name of the Almighty God that I will preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution,” Museveni said while taking the oath.
The president later received the instruments of power, including the national flag, the Constitution, the presidential standard, the coat of arms, and the public seal.
He also received instruments of national defence from Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces.
A 21-gun salute and military parade followed the ceremony, with displays from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces land forces, air force, Special Forces Command, and reserve units.
In his inaugural address, Museveni thanked visiting leaders for what he described as solidarity with Uganda and paid special tribute to Julius Nyerere and the governments of Tanzania, Mozambique, and Kenya for supporting Ugandan liberation movements before the National Resistance Movement took power in 1986.
He singled out Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Mozambique’s President Daniel Francisco Chapo for continuing the historical ties between the countries.
Museveni also thanked Ugandans for re-electing him and the ruling National Resistance Movement, saying the new term would focus heavily on economic transformation.
“This is the term of no more sleep,” Museveni said. “People should stop blaming circumstances when the solutions are available.”
The president said the NRM’s major achievements over the past four decades included peace, infrastructure development, improved service delivery, and expansion of regional and international markets for Ugandan goods.
He urged citizens to participate in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, and services to create wealth and jobs, citing examples of Ugandans who had built successful enterprises from small-scale farming and poultry projects.
Museveni also renewed his push for value addition, warning against the continued export of raw materials.
“Exporting raw materials is a strategic blunder,” he said, arguing that processing minerals and agricultural products locally would create jobs and increase export earnings.
On education, the President called for reforms aimed at producing practical and employable skills, while on environmental protection he warned against the destruction of wetlands and forests.
He further said the Fourth National Development Plan would prioritise agriculture, manufacturing, ICT and services as key drivers of economic growth.
Vice President Jessica Alupo congratulated Museveni on his re-election, saying his victory reflected broad national support for the NRM government.
Among the African leaders who attended the ceremony were Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Salva Kiir Mayardit, Felix Tshisekedi and Évariste Ndayishimiye
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