The Government has declared 12th Thursday, 2016, a public holiday as Mr Y.K Museveni swears-in as President of Uganda for a fifth elective five-year term at Kololo Independence Grounds.
The announcement was made by First Deputy Prime Minister Henry Kajura, who said government was seeking to enable Ugandans attend the swearing-in celebrations.
Museveni was announced winner of the February 18 presidential elections. He has been in power for over 30 years since a five-year guerrilla rebellion in protest against the results of the 1980 general elections.
The government says over 14 African heads of state are expected at his inauguration ceremony in Kampala.
According to Tumwebaze, the Heads of state invited include those from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kingdom of Lesotho, South Sudan, Tanzania, Mali, Togo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Swaziland, China, Nigeria, and Russian Federation.
Former presidents; Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania and Mwai Kibaki of Kenya are also expected to attend the ceremony. Rwanda, India, Japan and Germany will send representatives.
Gen. Kale Kayihura, the police chief, told reporters at a joint press conference of security forces that the heavy deployment in the capital and other major towns is in response to possible crime and security threats during the swearing-in ceremony.
“As we move closer to the event, patrols and other security measures will be enhanced,” Kayihura said.
Police also announced closure of Entebbe-Kampala highway to private motorists beginning today (Wednesday) till Friday to allow foreign dignitaries access the city with ease.
Uganda’s top opposition leader Kizza Besigye returned home on Thursday just in time to join the alleged boycott of President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony. Besigye had reportedly been barred from boarding a flight to Kampala from Nairobi the previous day.
Mr Tumwebaze, who says that all opposition leaders are welcome to the occasion, warns against any attempts by the same groups to ruin the swearing in ceremony.
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cnakalungi@ugchristiannews.com- Courtesy Photo- President Museveni swears-in as President of Uganda 2011.
