NRM Confirms Full Preparedness for Museveni Swearing-In Amid Strong International Turnout

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has announced full preparedness for the upcoming swearing-in of President-elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, with at least 30 international delegations confirming their participation in the May 12 ceremony at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong said preparations are in advanced stages, with the party working closely with the government through the National Organising Committee to ensure a smooth and memorable national event.

“We are here to announce a very important function where we shall be swearing in our President-elect. This has been on the national calendar, and Ugandans have been waiting for it,” Todwong said, commending what he described as thorough planning and coordination by government agencies.

He emphasized that under Uganda’s multiparty political system, the NRM remains fully aligned with government efforts in organizing the ceremony, noting that the party is actively represented on the organizing committee.

The May 12 inauguration has been officially declared a public holiday, reflecting its national importance. President Museveni secured re-election with 71.65 percent of the vote, while the NRM registered sweeping victories across parliamentary and local government levels, consolidating its political dominance nationwide.

According to Todwong, the party won 372 out of 529 parliamentary seats, alongside a commanding presence in local governments, including 117 district chairpersons and a majority of councillors across the country. He described the outcome as “a victory not only for the President but across all levels of leadership.” The inauguration will also signal the start of a series of official swearing-in ceremonies for Members of Parliament, LC5 chairpersons, and mayors across Uganda.

NRM has extended invitations to several fraternal political parties and liberation movements across Africa and beyond, many of which have already confirmed attendance. These include South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC), Mozambique’s FRELIMO, Tanzania’s CCM, Rwanda’s RPF-Inkotanyi, Burundi’s CNDD-FDD, Kenya’s UDA, South Sudan’s SPLM, and China’s Communist Party, among others.

“This victory is not only for NRM but for Africans,” Todwong noted, adding that the broad international participation underscores solidarity with Uganda’s political trajectory and shared historical ties among liberation movements.

Minister for the Presidency Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda confirmed that 30 international delegations had so far accepted invitations extended by the President.

She revealed that the National Organising Committee, chaired by Lucy Nakyobe, has coordinated all logistical, diplomatic, and ceremonial arrangements for the high-profile event.

Invited guests include cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament (both outgoing and incoming), civil servants, members of the diplomatic corps, religious and cultural leaders, as well as ordinary citizens from across the country.

Security agencies have heightened vigilance in Kampala and surrounding areas, with the Uganda Police Force leading a multi-agency operation supported by the Uganda People's Defence Forces, the Special Forces Command, and specialized counter-terrorism units.

Babalanda assured the public that detailed traffic management guidelines will be issued ahead of the ceremony, while a nationwide publicity campaign is already underway through radio, television, and digital platforms to mobilize citizens.

In the lead-up to the inauguration, nationwide thanksgiving prayers have been scheduled across faiths—Friday for Muslims, Saturday for Seventh-day Adventists, and Sunday for Christians—highlighting the inclusive and interfaith nature of the celebrations.

The NRM government also used the occasion to highlight its performance record, noting that 88 percent of commitments under the 2021–2026 manifesto have been implemented, with the remaining targets expected to be completed in the next term.

Babalanda called on Ugandans to participate in large numbers, assuring that adequate arrangements, including refreshments, have been made for attendees at Kololo.

“We urge all Ugandans to maintain discipline, calmness and peace before, during and after the ceremonies as we celebrate this historic occasion,” she said.

The May 12 inauguration is expected to draw significant regional and international attention, marking another milestone in Uganda’s political calendar as the country ushers in a new term of leadership.