Stage Set for Museveni’s 7th Term Swearing-In Ceremony

By Skika Reporter.

Preparations are in high gear as Uganda readies for the swearing-in of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his seventh elective term, with at least 35 heads of state already confirming attendance, according to the National Organising Committee.

Officials from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) say the growing international interest reflects Uganda’s political trajectory under the party, which has maintained power for nearly four decades and recently secured a decisive electoral victory with 71.5 percent of the presidential vote.

NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong said visiting delegations are eager to understand the party’s electoral model, which he described as rooted in sustained grassroots mobilization rather than chance.

“Observers and visiting delegations are keen to understand what has been described by some as an electoral miracle, since the success is grounded in structured, long-term engagement with the population,” Todwong said on Wednesday.

Several delegations have requested structured engagements with key NRM organs, including the Women’s League, youth leadership, and grassroots mobilization teams. According to Todwong, some political parties will send specialized delegations comprising women leaders and youth representatives to facilitate peer learning and exchange of ideas.

“These interactions will not only strengthen international ties but also position Uganda as a reference point in political organization and electoral strategy,” he added.

With bookings underway and demand for field visits rising, the swearing-in event is shaping up to be both a diplomatic engagement and a learning platform for political actors across regions.

Structure-driven campaign

The NRM attributes its electoral victory to a tightly coordinated, structure-driven campaign spearheaded by its National Secretariat.

Party Treasurer Barbara Nekesa said the campaign’s success stemmed from centralized coordination that ensured cohesion and eliminated competing mobilization efforts.

“The central coordination created unity and avoided fragmented approaches that previously weakened mobilization,” Nekesa said, describing the campaign’s level of organization as “monumental.”

She outlined a roadmap that included updating the party register, conducting structure elections, and holding primaries—steps she said laid the foundation for the party’s strong electoral performance.

“That process is what has given birth to what we are celebrating today—over 71 percent victory,” she noted.

Plans for the next term

Looking ahead, the NRM has earmarked nearly Shs11 billion collected from nomination fees to fund the construction of district and regional offices, aimed at strengthening grassroots structures and reducing rental costs.

Todwong said the rollout plan will be implemented after approval by the party’s Central Executive Committee, with priority given to areas where the party already owns land.

“At the moment, we have close to Shs11 billion in the party account, and the leadership has directed that this money be used to construct offices across districts,” he said.

At the national level, Museveni—who also serves as NRM national chairman—has offered to personally oversee the construction of the party’s headquarters on Kyadondo Road in Kampala.

“We are finalising contracts to begin construction of the party headquarters. This is a strategic move to ensure the party operates from its own premises,” Todwong added.

International participation

At least 19 fraternal political parties from Africa and beyond have confirmed participation in the inauguration ceremony. These include South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC), Zimbabwe’s ZANU–PF, Mozambique’s FRELIMO, Angola’s MPLA, and Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi.

Others expected include Kenya’s United Democratic Alliance, South Sudan’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, Rwanda’s Rwandan Patriotic Front, and China’s Communist Party of China, among others.

The high-profile attendance underscores the significance of the event, which is expected to draw regional and global attention as Uganda marks another milestone in its political calendar.