By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has assured the country of its preparedness to handle the arrival and departure of foreign dignitaries expected for President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration next week.
Speaking during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Friday, UCAA Director General Fred K Bamwesigye said all arrangements at Entebbe International Airport had been finalized to ensure smooth facilitation of international guests.
“The airport is fully prepared, and UCAA has been working in close coordination with all relevant government departments, agencies and other stakeholders to ensure smooth, seamless and dignified facilitation expected for the country and Uganda,” Bamwesigye said.
President Museveni’s inauguration is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Government recently announced that more than 35 Heads of State and Government, diplomats and other international delegates are expected to attend the ceremony, which is projected to host between 30,000 and 40,000 guests as Museveni is sworn in for a seventh term in office, since 1986.
The police spokesperson, ACP Kituuma Rusoke, said security has been heightened ahead of the inauguration ceremony, with measured restrictions expected at the inauguration grounds in Kololo.
“We have conducted extensive threat assessments and are operating at a heightened state of readiness. Tactical response teams, rapid intervention units, and static security personnel will be deployed across Kampala and other key areas outside the city,” Rusoke said.
He added: “When you see heightened security deployment, there should be no cause for alarm.”
Rusoke further noted that there will be controlled access to the venue.
“All attendees will be subjected to security screening and guided to their designated seating areas in accordance with the seating plan for the grounds,” he said.
Additionally, Bamwesigye said UCAA had already developed and tested a comprehensive operational plan through dry runs conducted on April 24 and May 4, 2026.
“The plan provides detailed protocols for handling the different categories of delegates expected. The way ordinary passengers are handled is not the same way we handle official delegations,” he explained.
He added that all critical airport infrastructure and services, including fuel suppliers, passenger and cargo ground handlers, security teams and flight operations personnel, had been placed on standby ahead of the event.
Bamwesigye also assured travellers that normal airport operations would continue uninterrupted despite the high-level event.
“You do not disrupt traffic because you are hosting such an event. We sign agreements on both landings and overflights, and it is our responsibility to work extra hard to ensure both operations take place smoothly,” he said.
