President Mohamud Joins Regional Leaders at Museveni’s Swearing-In Ceremony

GOOBJOOG NEWS | KAMPALA: Federal Government of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud joined East African leaders in Kampala on Tuesday for the swearing-in of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, underscoring Somalia’s growing diplomatic engagement within the region.

The ceremony, held at Kololo Independence Grounds, saw Museveni, 81, take the oath of office for a seventh consecutive term after winning the elections in January, extending his nearly four-decade rule.

President Mohamud’s attendance highlighted the close security and political ties between Somalia and Uganda, which remains one of the largest troop-contributing countries to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia supporting Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab.

Ugandan forces have played a central role in Somalia’s stabilization efforts for nearly two decades under successive African Union peace support missions, making Kampala a key strategic partner for Mogadishu’s security and state-building agenda.

Somalia’s participation also reflects broader efforts by Mogadishu to strengthen regional diplomacy as it deepens cooperation with East African states on security, trade and political integration following its accession to the East African Community in 2024.

Other regional leaders attending the inauguration included Samia Suluhu Hassan, Félix Tshisekedi and Salva Kiir.

In his inaugural address, Museveni called for greater focus on economic growth, job creation and infrastructure development, describing his new term as a period of “no more sleep for all Ugandans.”

Museveni was declared winner of the January election with more than 70% of the vote, though opposition leader Bobi Wine rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities, claims denied by election officials.

Museveni, who first came to power in 1986, remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, while analysts say his new term could shape Uganda’s eventual political succession and its broader regional role in East African security and diplomacy.