Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has publicly sought forgiveness from the nation for mistakes made during his nearly four decades in power, acknowledging failures in governance and calling for national reflection.
At a prayer meeting held over the weekend and organised by his daughter, President Museveni stood alongside First Lady Janet Museveni as they read from a joint statement admitting to “laxity, negligence, and lack of diligence” within the government.
“As top leaders of the movement, we humbly take responsibility for all the mistakes made by ourselves, our agents, and representatives,” the couple declared. “We therefore stand here to repent and ask for your forgiveness.”
The rare public apology comes amid increased criticism of Museveni’s administration, particularly over human rights concerns and political repression. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986 under the National Resistance Movement, has consistently won re-election amid accusations of electoral manipulation and crackdowns on dissent.
While he has not yet confirmed if he will run in the 2026 presidential elections, speculation continues—fueled in part by recent controversial remarks by his son and army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Muhoozi threatened to expel citizens who vote against his father in the upcoming polls.
Tensions have escalated in recent months, with opposition figures facing intimidation and legal challenges. Earlier this month, a bodyguard of opposition leader Bobi Wine was reportedly abducted and tortured by forces linked to Muhoozi. Meanwhile, long-time opposition figure Kizza Besigye remains in detention on treason charges after being arrested in Kenya last year. Despite exceeding Uganda’s six-month legal limit for detention without trial, his request for bail was recently denied.
The president’s appeal for forgiveness is seen by some observers as an attempt to reset public trust, while others view it as a strategic move ahead of the approaching election season.