Museveni, First Lady apologize for mistakes during 39-year Uganda rule
By Aloys Michael, May 28, 2025In a rare and emotional address, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni publicly apologized to Ugandans for the missteps and failures that have occurred during their nearly four decades in power.
Speaking during a national address on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Museveni acknowledged the mistakes made throughout his 39-year leadership and expressed remorse, particularly toward the people of Buganda, Uganda’s largest and historically influential ethnic group.
“We humbly take the responsibility for all the mistakes made by ourselves,” said President Museveni, appearing alongside his wife, Janet. “We stand here to repent and ask for your forgiveness, especially the people of Buganda.”
The apology marks a significant moment in Uganda’s political history. Museveni, 80, took power in 1986 after leading a successful guerrilla war against the dictatorship of Milton Obote and later Tito Okello. He has since been re-elected multiple times amid controversy over election fairness and constitutional amendments that removed term and age limits.
While Museveni has been credited with bringing a measure of stability and economic growth to Uganda in the early years of his presidency, his administration has also faced accusations of human rights abuses, suppression of dissent, and corruption.
The reference to the Buganda community is particularly notable. Relations between the central government and the Buganda Kingdom have been strained at times, with clashes over land rights, cultural recognition, and political autonomy.
First Lady Janet Museveni, who has served in various ministerial positions, including education, also echoed the president’s sentiments.
“We have made mistakes, and we know some of these have caused pain and division. We ask for your understanding and forgiveness,” she said.
Museveni’s apology comes barely hours after President Ruto apologized to youthful Kenya’s Gen Z over the missteps done by his administration, pledging to make amends and build a united nation.
Speaking during the National Prayer Day at the event held at the Safari Park Hotel on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Head of State emphasised the importance of unity, stating, “Where there is unity, God commands a blessing.”
“To our children, if there has been any misstep, we apologise,” the President told the country’s young people, popularly known as Gen Z, who have been a thorn in the flesh of his administration.
This marked the first time the president publicly apologised to the youth, following a year of tensions between his government and both Gen Z and Millennials.
In 2024, Gen Z spearheaded massive protests that culminated in the storming of Parliament, demanding radical reforms within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
They were also protesting the Finance Bill, 2024, which introduced a wave of additional taxes, claiming new levies were punitive.