'Term no sleep': Museveni swears in for seventh term

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been sworn in for a seventh consecutive five-year term as Uganda’s Head of State, pledging a new five-year agenda focused on “no sleep” in the fight against corruption and efforts to boost wealth creation and productivity. The ceremony at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds attracted thousands of guests, including regional leaders and dignitaries, as Uganda marked the start of the 2026–2031 presidential term.

Transcript

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Excellences the headers of the state.

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Hello, and welcome to the new vision daily podcast around Uganda. I'm Razia Osman. Uganda has officially entered a new five-year political term following the swearing-in of President Choweri Kaguta Museveni at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala on May 12th, 2026. The ceremony attended by thousands of Ugandans and several African heads of state marked the beginning of Museveni's seventh consecutive term in office. In his inaugural address, the president outlined what he called a chisanja of no sleep and no corruption, promising a renewed focus on wealth creation, industrialization, job creation, and accountability in government programs.

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This chisanja should be regarded as a chisanja of no more sleep for all Ugandans.

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Museveni said the next phase of Uganda's development would require citizens and leaders alike to become more productive, more vigilant, and more committed to fighting corruption and transforming household incomes. Today's podcast is based on reporting by Mary Karugaba and Umar Kashaka, with additional reporting by Simon Masaba and Edise Joba for New Vision. His Excellency the President. More than 66,000 guests attended the colorful ceremony at Kololo. Heads of state from across Africa, diplomats, ministers, religious leaders, and thousands of supporters dressed in yellow filled the grounds in celebration. The atmosphere was electric. Traditional dancers performed, fighter jets flew overhead, six paratroopers descended dramatically from the skies, and supporters erupted into unulations as the president arrived standing through the sunroof of his vehicle, flashing his trademark thumbs up sign. But beyond the pomp and ceremony, the message from the president was direct. Uganda must wake up.

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Thisanja should be regarded as a Xanja of no more sleep for Ugandans. With the advent of the NRM ever since 1986, the families that cared to listen to our message got out of poverty.

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The phrase no sleep quickly became the defining message of the inauguration. President Museveni said the government had already spent decades building the foundation for Uganda's development. Peace, roads, electricity, schools, telecommunications, and health centers. Now he says Ugandans themselves must use that foundation to create wealth.

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When we rejected the politics of sectarianism, of identity, of tribe, of religion. That's how we're able to unite the people. That's why we win on the first round.

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Commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and information communication technology.

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Development in the form of economic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, the piped water, the railways, airports, telephones, ETC, and social infrastructure in the form of schools and centers.

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Museveni pointed to programs such as the Parish Development Model, Emyoga, and Operation Wealth Creation as vehicles to move millions of Ugandans into productive economic activity. He highlighted examples of successful small-scale farmers, including a farmer in Kabarole, reportedly earning hundreds of millions of shillings annually from just over one acre of land. The president said Uganda has enough land and opportunity to create millions of jobs if citizens embrace commercial agriculture and productivity. But perhaps the strongest applause came when the president addressed corruption. He warned officials against diverting public resources meant for ordinary Ugandans and urged citizens to actively monitor government programs through local councils and parish circles.

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On the issue of the corruption, my advice is you should make a distinction between mistake makers and dishonest people. Dishonesty is the worst. But making mistakes, especially for you, for many people who have not listened carefully, it's not so I wouldn't be I wouldn't be surprised. That's why many times I I I try to help out groups who have made mistakes. But what I cannot tolerate is like this question of saying we give money to this ministry, but we take we take a percentage of it pro uh as as as as as individuals. This is this is this is dishonesty.

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Those words are now expected to become the central slogan of the government. The president also used the occasion to sharply criticize Africa's continued export of raw materials. He argued that Uganda and the continent lose billions of dollars by exporting unprocessed minerals and agricultural products instead of finished goods. Using gold as an example, Museveni said processed products generate significantly more income and jobs than raw materials. Industrialization, pharmaceuticals, electronics, vaccines, and automobile assembly were all identified as priority sectors for Uganda's economic future.

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We have been telling you that the wealth is in the four sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services and ICT.

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The president also called for reforms in education, saying schools must focus on practical and market driven skills. He criticized what he termed random education that leaves graduates without employable skills. Environmental protection also took center stage. The president warned against the destruction of wetlands and forests, saying environmental degradation threatens rainfall formation, irrigation systems and water sources. He called for an end to rice growing in wetlands and proposed fish farming as a more sustainable alternative.

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Your excellence.

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Burundi President and African Union chairperson, Evarist Naishimi, described Museveni's re-election as a symbol of continuity and stability for the continent. Meanwhile, the ceremony itself reflected both state tradition and military symbolism. After taking the oath of allegiance and the oath of presidency before Chief Justice Flavian Zaider, President Museveni received the instruments of power, including the constitution, the national flag, and the public seal. In a symbolic military moment, the Chief of Defense Forces, General Muhozi Kainerugaba, handed the President instruments of national defense, including a shield and sword, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. A 21-gun salute followed as the presidential standard flag was raised to signify the beginning of the new term. The event concluded peacefully and a heavy security deployment. According to police director of operations, AIGP Frank Muesigwa, only isolated incidents were reported, including a few medical emergencies, one vehicle theft, and several phone theft cases among the thousands who attended. Political leaders and analysts are now watching closely to see how the promises of no sleep and no corruption will translate into action. As Uganda begins another five-year chapter, one message from Kololo continues to echo across the country. No sleep, no corruption. And now the challenge begins.