After weeks of uncertainty and growing speculation, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni appeared before thousands of citizens in Adjumani on Monday, October 20, 2025, marking his first major public engagement in several weeks.
His appearance came as a relief to many Ugandans who had been questioning his health following a noticeable absence from national events.
Standing confidently at Paridi Stadium, the 81-year-old leader addressed the crowd with his characteristic composure and firmness, choosing his words carefully as he sought to dismiss the rumours that had dominated online discussions.
Museveni appeared in good spirits, walking unaided and engaging warmly with his supporters. His voice carried across the stadium as he thanked residents of the West Nile region for their continued loyalty to the National Resistance Movement.
He reminded them of the party’s long history of maintaining peace and stability in Uganda, describing the NRM as the foundation upon which the country’s progress has been built. The president then turned his attention to the future, highlighting his government’s development agenda, which focuses on improving infrastructure, industrial growth, and investment in youth employment.
His remarks came at a crucial time when speculation about his health had reached its peak. For several weeks, social media platforms had been flooded with claims that Museveni was seriously ill and had been hospitalised abroad.
The rumours gained further traction when he missed the state funeral of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, an event attended by several African heads of state. Museveni instead sent a delegation led by former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and Minister John Mulimba to represent Uganda.
In his official message of condolence, he described Raila as a visionary leader whose contribution to democracy and African unity would be remembered for generations.
Museveni’s appearance in Adjumani also came shortly after Uganda’s electoral commission officially cleared him to run in the January 2026 General Election. The National Resistance Movement had already endorsed him as its presidential candidate, reinforcing his long-standing grip on power that began in 1986.
In his speech, he pointed to what he termed as significant progress in the country’s economy, noting that Uganda’s GDP had grown from USD 34 billion to USD 66 billion in just five years.
He promised to push the economy to USD 500 billion if re-elected, saying that his next term would focus on attracting more investment and expanding opportunities for local industries.
The president’s renewed public visibility signals the start of what is expected to be a heated election period.
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, has already begun mobilizing his supporters, vowing to offer a new vision for Uganda’s future.
