The government is set to spend at least UGX 9 billion on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni\u2019s May 12, 2026 swearing-in ceremony at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, drawing criticism from some lawmakers over the growing cost of presidential inaugurations.<\/p>\n
Officials from the Ministry of Presidency say the funds will facilitate the high-profile ceremony expected to attract more than 4,000 guests, including foreign heads of state, diplomats, religious leaders, and senior government officials.<\/p>\n
According to reports, government initially budgeted UGX 3 billion for the event before approving an additional UGX 4 billion through supplementary funding, pushing the overall expenditure beyond the UGX 7.7 billion spent during the 2021 inauguration.<\/p>\n
The budget is expected to cater for security deployment, hospitality, protocol arrangements, transport logistics, venue preparation, and accommodation for visiting dignitaries.<\/p>\n
The ceremony will mark President Museveni\u2019s seventh term in office following the 2026 general elections.<\/p>\n
However, the expenditure has triggered debate among Members of Parliament and sections of the public, with critics questioning whether such spending is justifiable at a time when the country faces pressure on public services and rising debt obligations.<\/p>\n
Some legislators have proposed that future presidential oath-taking ceremonies be held within Parliament as a cost-saving measure rather than staging large-scale national events at Kololo.<\/p>\n
Opposition figures argue that the resources could instead be redirected toward essential sectors such as healthcare, education, and social services.<\/p>\n
Despite the criticism, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has defended the expenditure, insisting that a presidential inauguration is a significant state function that requires adequate facilitation, especially given the expected attendance of regional and international dignitaries.<\/p>\n
Government officials also maintain that security considerations and international protocol standards contribute significantly to the overall budget.<\/p>\n
The upcoming ceremony is expected to be one of the largest state events of the year, with preparations already underway at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The government is set to spend at least UGX 9 billion on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni\u2019s May 12, 2026 swearing-in ceremony at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, drawing criticism from some lawmakers over the growing cost of presidential inaugurations. Officials from the Ministry of Presidency say the funds will facilitate the high-profile ceremony expected to attract more […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[656],"class_list":{"0":"post-8863","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-politics","8":"tag-president-yoweri-kaguta-museveni"},"yoast_head":"\n