Museveni swears in as First Lady notably absent

President Museveni on Tuesday morning arrived at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, where he was expected to take the Oath of Allegiance and the Presidential Oath for a fresh five-year term.

The 81-year-old leader arrived alone in a convoy of more than 10 vehicles at about 11am and proceeded directly to the saluting dais, where he inspected an armed forces parade as part of the official inauguration proceedings marking the transition from the 2021–2026 term into a new mandate expected to run until 2031.

Mr Museveni was accompanied during the parade inspection by his son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and was flanked by heavily armed elite Special Forces Command (SFC) personnel during the display.

However, First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni was notably absent from the ceremony, drawing attention and murmurs among the tightly packed, predominantly yellow-clad crowd at Kololo, where she has traditionally been a visible figure at major national events, including presidential inaugurations.

Janet, who was last seen in public more than a month ago, attended at least the last three presidential swearing-in ceremonies, although she was absent during Museveni’s 1986 assumption of power.

The Kololo event attracted several high-level dignitaries, with at least 15 Heads of State in attendance alongside regional and international representatives. Museveni was later expected to take the presidential oath, formally extending his long tenure in power under a new five-year term.