Making Sense Of Museveni’s First Apology To Ugandans And Buganda In Four Decades

President Museveni grabbed the privileges of power in January 1986 after staging a guelira war in the Buganda region in the jungles of Luwero against the Obote government shortly after the 1981 presidential elections where he had lost massively under his UPM party.

During the war, thousands died, he recruited many child soldiers which his National Resistance Army referred to as Kadogos, some made it out of the bush while some never saw the victory in Kampala after taking power.

Museveni ruled Uganda until 1996 when he first organized general elections and later in 2001 under the Movement system (One Party system). In July 2005 ahead of the 2006 general elections, Museveni returned multi-party politics through a referendum held and since he has never looked back, it’s coming to 40 years and intends to extend the same to 45 years in the next election next year.

The president among his most notable moments has been shifting goals posts, going against his own statements. Some of these have seen him remove term limits in 2005 then age limit in 2017 all in the name of keeping himself in power for as long as he’s still alive. He has lived long to see what he fought against in the 80s happen again in his own government.

The president has pledged to retire from politics and concentrate and his cattle in Rwakitura. He also in 2013 trashed assertions that he was grooming his son to take over from him. 12 years later, his son is the Chief of Defense Forces and is literally untouchable and whoever dares risks his wrath both offline and online.

The president in 1986 said that the problem of Africa were leaders who over stay in power. 40 years later the same words must be haunting him since he has not only stayed for long but also been here and his bush war heroes telling Ugandans how they fought in the bush but he has largely transformed the country from the gullows but poverty among Ugandans and corruption remain his top most headache.

Ahead of the 2026 General elections, president Museveni while attending a prayer session organized by his daughter Patience Rwabwogo shocked Ugandans when him and his wife took to the podium and issued a written apology to all Ugandans and in a special to the Baganda who housed his bush war for over 5 years.

Many Ugandans have reacted differently on Museveni’s apology with many telling him to put the apology into action and retire from power. Among these is Sarah Birete the Director of Centre for Constitutional Governance who has said that Museveni’s apology is long overdue.

While unveiling his political party today at his Democratic Alliance offices, Mpuuga said he welcomes Museveni’s apology but the president should have been clear which particular issue he’s apologizing for. Mpuuga draws an example of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere who apologized to Tanzanians and shortly stepped down from power. He says Museveni should do the same to retire.

WATCH: President Museveni and his wife’s apology feels vague to many Ugandans. We need to know which of the many issues they are apologizing for,” said @MathiasMpuuga today while unveiling his new political party. #NTVNews

📹 @lbrahim_kavuma pic.twitter.com/4ZR3OBN8gW

— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) May 27, 2025

The only genuine apology Mr Museveni can give to Ugandans is to peacefully resign and put an end to his bloody regime. Below that,It’s mere posturing and hoodwinking citizens for another term to allow him die in office.

Do not fall for another lie#WeAreVotingBobiWine 2026 pic.twitter.com/Is7iXLMks9

— WESTERN PRINCE BWAMBALE (@BwambalePr26528) May 27, 2025

Open Letter: The Only Apology That Matters Is Action: Step Down, Retire

To President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and the People of Uganda,

Once, you, Mr. President was a symbol of hope—a warrior who pledged to free Uganda from tyranny’s grip. You stood tall,… pic.twitter.com/f3MOxTfUh4

— Ronald Agaba Jr. (@ronnieagabajr) May 27, 2025

Pple should stop taking museveni serious you even had him he was stammering In his a apology as if he had eaten hot paper on on a roasted pork.that is why is is now abducting our people innocently and toture thm in basements..its sad but it’s not over until its over.teli kuzikiza

— Claudio Kibirige (@CKibirige53121) May 27, 2025

@KagutaMuseveni @JanetMuseveni @mkainerugaba

President Museveni, your apology is acknowledged, but it’s crucial to consider the depth of the wounds you’ve caused. Many people in Buganda and Uganda have suffered greatly due to your actions and policies.

— comrade (@comrade_256) May 27, 2025

Could Museveni’s apology be a political game ahead of the elections?, could it genuine? Why has it come this late?

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