President Yoweri Museveni on Monday evening hosted a State Dinner at Sudhir Ruparelia’s Speke Resort Munyonyo, bringing together regional leaders, former heads of state, diplomats and foreign dignitaries the night before his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The event drew senior government officials, regional envoys and members of the diplomatic corps in what officials described as both a diplomatic engagement and a show of regional solidarity ahead of the inauguration.
Museveni arrived at around 8:40pm, accompanied by his daughter Natasha Museveni Karugire, and was welcomed with applause from the gathered dignitaries. The dinner was held under tight security at the lakeside resort.
Among the notable guests were South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials from the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and Rwanda’s Prime Minister. Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also attended, alongside ministers, military officials and envoys from across the continent.
The gathering reflected Uganda’s continued role as a key player in East African diplomacy and regional affairs, particularly on issues of security, trade and integration.
Security was visibly heavy around Munyonyo and across Kampala throughout the evening, as preparations for Tuesday’s ceremony intensified. Roads leading to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds and other key venues were guarded, with joint security agencies managing traffic, VIP convoys and protocol arrangements.
The inauguration adds another chapter to Uganda’s political history, with Museveni remaining one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, having dominated the country’s politics for nearly four decades. Over the years, Uganda’s presidential inaugurations have grown into major diplomatic occasions, drawing regional allies and international partners for conversations around peace, infrastructure, trade and stability.
The presence of leaders from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region was particularly notable given the current pressures in the area, including instability in eastern DRC, tensions in Sudan and ongoing efforts to deepen integration through the East African Community. Delegates were seen holding informal talks on cross-border security, infrastructure and regional cooperation on the sidelines of the dinner.
Tuesday’s swearing-in is expected to draw thousands of guests, including political leaders, religious figures, cultural representatives and supporters from across Uganda.
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