Kisanja No Sleep: Museveni swears in for another term in office

President Museveni has been sworn in for his seventh term as President of the Republic of Uganda, declaring a “Kisanja of No More Sleep” as he pledged to awaken Ugandans from poverty and propel the country into high middle-income status.

The 81-year-old veteran leader took the oath of office on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds before Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija.

The ceremony, held under the theme “Protecting the Gains: Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status,” was attended by several African heads of state, diplomats, and thousands of jubilant supporters clad in the ruling National Resistance Movement yellow.

In his inaugural address, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who secured victory in the January elections with more than 71 percent of the vote, reiterated that his new five-year mandate would focus on total economic transformation. He warned government bureaucrats and political leaders that the era of complacency was over.

“We are now entering the Kisanja of no more sleep. We are now entering the Kisanja of no corruption,” the President, who has been in power since 1986, remarked, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“We have laid the foundation with roads, electricity, and peace. Now, we must ensure every Ugandan enters the money economy. If you are a civil servant and you think you will continue to sleep in your office while our people remain in poverty, you are in the wrong place,” he said.

The President emphasized that the cornerstone of this term would be the aggressive implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the expansion of presidential skilling hubs. He noted that while the country has made significant progress, the “qualitative leap” required a transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture and industrialization.

“We are now entering the oil production phase,” Mr Museveni said, referring to the first commercial oil expected to flow soon.

“The revenues from our oil will not be for consumption. They will be directed toward the railway, power generation, and science education. We must build a durable, independent, and self-sustaining economy,” he stressed.

Accompanied by his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, during a ceremonial parade inspection, Mr Museveni also issued a warning to those intending to destabilize the country. He credited the Uganda People’s Defence Forces for maintaining what he described as “rock-solid” peace and cautioned against political extremism.

“The peace we have was paid for with blood. Anyone who thinks they can use violence to disrupt our progress will be dealt with decisively according to the law,” he said.

On the regional front, Mr Museveni called for deeper East African integration, arguing that a larger market is essential for guaranteeing prosperity for African people in an increasingly competitive global economy.

As a 21-gun salute echoed across Kampala and a spectacular aerial display lit up the skies, the President concluded by calling for national unity.

With his trademark wide-brimmed hat and a firm grip on the instruments of power, Mr Museveni’s message was clear: the next five years will be defined by a relentless pursuit of results, leaving no room for the “sleeping” culture that has often slowed service delivery during his now four-decade leadership. For Mr Museveni and his cabinet, the mission to “Protect the Gains” has officially begun.