President Yoweri Museveni at 11:55 am on Thursday May 12, 2016 took oath for the 6th time to steer the country through 2021.
Amidst a heavy down pour and ecstatic ululations from thousands of supporters in the Kololo Independence Grounds stands, the newly reelected President swore to God to uphold, defend and protect national constitution and to diligently exercise the powers and functions of the office of the President.
He was then handed by the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, the Chief Registrar and the Chief of Defense Forces all the instruments of power that include the National Constitution, the national flag, the Presidential flag, the National Anthem, the Court of Arms, as well as the sword and the shield.
President Yoweri Museveni takes oath
A 21 gun salute to welcome the new Commander in Chief by the UPDF followed and there after President Museveni toured the parade.
Earlier while performing his duties of introducing the newly elected President, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission Eng. Dr Badru Kiggundu said he was impressed by the level of democracy that Uganda has reached so far.
“Where we have reached, it is very impressive,” he said, “and I am very proud. I know that we have not yet reached the top but we shall arrive.”
The outgoing EC boss, announced at event that the entire campaigning period and the election process were peaceful.
Two of the presidential contestants in February elections Prof Venansius Baryamureeba and Mrs Maureen Kyalya Waluube were in attendance.
Several Heads of States also graced the occasion and they included, South African President Jacob Zuma, South Sudan’s Slava Kiir and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta.
Also present was President of the Republic of Sudan Omar El Bashir, and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe as well as neighboring Tanzania’s John Pombe Magufuli among other Heads of State and country representatives.