Former nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Wilson Sossion has stated that Uganda President Yoweri Museveni’s apology to his country demonstrates good leadership.

Speaking at a local TV station on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Sossion stated that leaders need to be open and frank with the people they lead.

“Presidents coming out to apologise for the shortcomings of the state is a good thing to do. Mwalimu Nyerere did it in 1985 when he was resigning as president of Tanzania. It is showing leadership,” he stated.

Further, he has also called upon leaders to learn to apologise when in leadership.

“When you’re in leadership, you don’t know those who offend. All of us should be able to apologise to those we hurt around us. We must learn to apologise,” he added.

Museveni publicly apologised to the people of Uganda on May 28, 2025, acknowledging historical missteps and seeking forgiveness for the government’s past actions.

The apology was delivered during a recent public address where President Museveni commented on the church for its role in fostering unity and transformation within the nation.

“We humbly take the responsibility for all the mistakes made by ourselves. We stand here to repent and ask for your forgiveness, especially the people of Buganda,” President Museveni said jointly with First Lady Janet.

His apology came hours after President Ruto apologised to Kenya’s Gen Z over the missteps made 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 said.

Finance Bill 2024

This marked the first time the president publicly apologised to the youth, following a year of tensions between his government and the Kenyan youth over the Finance Bill 2024.

President William Ruto succumbed to mounting public pressure, announcing on June 26, 2024, that he would not sign the contentious Finance Bill 2024 after a week of protests across the country, primarily led by Kenyan youth, who claim the punitive tax proposals will burden an already stretched population.

President Ruto, speaking at the State House, flanked by allied members of parliament, said that after listening to Kenyans who overwhelmingly rejected the bill, he would not sign it into law.

“Having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the finance bill of 2024, I will decline to assent to the bill,” Ruto said.

“Therefore, I will not sign the Finance Bill 2024, and it shall be subsequently withdrawn, and I have agreed with these members that this shall become our position.”

President Ruto also stated that he would engage Kenyan youth to hear their perspectives and concerns.

“I propose an engagement with young people of our nation to listen to their issues and agree with them on their priority areas of concern,” he said.

He stated that moving forward, Kenya will need to engage in a multi-sectoral conversation about the country’s public debt and its future.