The Ugandan government has declared Tuesday, May 12, 2026, a nationwide public holiday to mark the swearing-in ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni, who secured a seventh term in office. The announcement was made by Richard Todwong, secretary of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), as reported by NTV Uganda and Nile Post.
Details of the Public Holiday
According to Todwong, the holiday will allow Ugandans to participate in the inauguration of the president-elect. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, with an estimated 40,000 guests expected, including 35 heads of state, 30 diplomats, and delegates from various liberation movements.
Museveni, aged 81, won the January elections with 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65% of the valid votes cast. This will be his record seventh term in power, a milestone that has drawn both domestic and international attention.
Nationwide Prayers Called For
Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda has urged Ugandans to engage in nationwide prayers ahead of the inauguration. The prayers, to be held in mosques, Seventh-day Adventist, Anglican, and Catholic churches, are intended to foster unity and seek divine guidance as the nation enters a new political term.
Babalanda emphasized that the prayers aim to unite the country and ensure a smooth transition. Preparations for the inauguration are in advanced stages, with security, logistics, and protocol arrangements underway to accommodate the large number of local and international guests.
Economic Concerns Raised
Critics have argued that the declaration of a public holiday for the swearing-in could negatively impact Uganda's economy, particularly the fragile informal sector. The closure of commercial banks and major retail centers in key cities may stall an estimated 15% of the weekly national commercial output.
Some public commentators have expressed concern that the government is prioritizing optics over pressing issues such as rising regional inflation, economic hardship, and youth unemployment. They argue that the holiday, while symbolic, comes at a time when the economy needs sustained activity.
Upcoming Eid al-Adha Holiday
In addition to the May 12 holiday, Uganda is also expected to declare a public holiday for Eid al-Adha 2026, which is projected to fall around May 27, subject to moon sighting. The Minister of Public Service typically gazettes this day as a national public holiday.
Traditionally, Muslims in Uganda dress in new clothes and attend special congregational Eid prayers at mosques or open grounds. The prayers are followed by the sacrifice of an animal, visits to family and friends, and sharing food with loved ones and the needy, in honor of Prophet Ibrahim's obedience.
The government has yet to officially confirm the Eid al-Adha holiday date, but it is expected to be observed nationwide.
