BY Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
At least 35 heads of state and government have confirmed attendance at President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 12 at Kololo Independence Grounds.
This was revealed by the NRM Secretary General, Rt Hon Richard Todwong, during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday.
“We have about 35 heads of state and heads of government that have confirmed attending,” Todwong said.
Museveni’s inauguration follows his victory in the January 2026 general elections, where he secured 72% of the vote, defeating his closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who garnered 24.72%, according to official results from the Electoral Commission.
More than 30,000 guests are expected to attend the ceremony at Kololo, Todwong said. He added that the ruling party has extended invitations to opposition political parties in Uganda under the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), as well as to political organisations across Africa, including South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) and FRELIMO of Mozambique, among others.
“We are finalising the invitation process. When you invite a political party, it is not like inviting an individual; it goes through a process. Under the IPOD umbrella, we are inviting political parties with representation in Parliament, and under the National Consultative Forum, we are also inviting all registered political parties in Uganda,” Todwong explained.
On opposition leaders who have indicated they will not attend, Todwong said the NRM remains open to engaging with those willing to cooperate.
“As the National Resistance Movement, we are open and ready to work with anybody willing to join hands with us. Whether they attend or not is up to them, but the invitations will go out,” he said.
Todwong also highlighted what he described as strong performance under the NRM manifesto for 2021–2026, citing a report by the Office of the Prime Minister indicating an 88% implementation rate.
“The remaining 12% comprises ongoing projects, some of which were delayed or not started. These will be rolled over into the next term,” he said.
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda said security has been heightened ahead of the inauguration and assured both local and international guests of their safety.
She also called on Ugandans to attend the ceremony in large numbers, noting that it will be broadcast live on UBC and other selected television stations, as well as on social media platforms for those unable to attend in person.
