KAMPALA UGANDA: Members of the public are expected to face major traffic restrictions and diversions around Kololo Ceremonial Grounds during the upcoming presidential swearing-in ceremony of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on May 12, 2026.

According to traffic guidelines issued by the Uganda Police Force spokesperson, Kituuma Rusoke, access to several roads surrounding Kololo will be limited strictly to vehicles with valid accreditation stickers, invitation cards, or special clearance, while ordinary motorists will be redirected to alternative routes and designated parking areas.

Under the traffic arrangements, the general public will not be allowed to use several roads leading directly to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. Restricted routes include Ssezibwa Road, Golf Course traffic lights, and John Babiha Road (Acacia Avenue) heading towards the venue.

Police further indicated that invited guests will access the venue through designated entry points depending on their invitation category, with VIP and VVIP routes to be communicated through accreditation channels.

Motorists approaching Kololo from different parts of Kampala will encounter diversions at major junctions. At Wampewo Roundabout, vehicles will not be allowed onto Wampewo Avenue and will instead be diverted towards Jinja Road to access parking grounds at Uganda Management Institute and Phaneroo Grounds.

At the Golf Course and Fairway Hotel traffic lights, only VVIP vehicles bearing red stickers will be allowed access to Acacia Avenue, while members of the general public will be denied entry.

Police also announced that at Katikati Junction, ordinary motorists will not be allowed to proceed towards the venue and will instead be redirected to Lugogo traffic lights on Jinja Road. Vehicles coming from Old Kira Road and Mawanda Road will also be diverted at City Oil on Acacia Road towards Mulago traffic lights.

Despite the restrictions around Kololo, police clarified that the Entebbe Expressway and Northern Bypass will remain open to the public, although temporary diversions may be introduced at junctions such as Mpala, Kisubi, Kajjansi Flyover, Serena-Kigo, Mutungo-Kitiko, Busabala traffic lights, and Munyonyo Roundabout to manage traffic flow.

The public has been advised to cooperate with traffic officers deployed along the affected routes and to use designated public parking areas including City High School, Phaneroo Grounds, Uganda Management Institute, and Millennium Grounds.

Police said the measures are intended to ensure smooth movement of invited guests and maintain security around the ceremonial grounds.

Meanwhile, the government has confirmed that at least 35 Heads of State are expected to attend President Museveni’s inauguration on May 12 at Kololo.

The swearing-in ceremony will mark the formal commencement of President Museveni’s seventh elective term in office following his victory in the January presidential election.

Among the invited political organizations are African National Congress, FRELIMO, ZANU-PF, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Rwanda Patriotic Front, and Sudan People's Liberation Movement, among others.