Businesses in Arua and the districts of West Nile have continued normally as President Museveni Swears in for his 7th 5-year term. Despite the declaration of the 12th of May 2026 as a public holiday by the Ministry of Public Service, only pubic offices and banking institutions in Arua remained closed.
Streets of Arua City remained fully occupied by people engaged in their day-to-day survival activities, with traders in general merchandise opening their shops as usual.
Salim Twaha, a dealer in hardware in Arua City, says he is not aware of the public holiday and so continues to do his usual duty of fending for his family. “I have home responsibilities to fulfil and, as you know, the second term is near, I have to look for money to pay for the school fees of my children,” Twaha said.
Meanwhile, Asara Lonnah another businesswoman who operates a salon along Onzivu street in the center of Arua City, told URN in Lugbara Ti that she cannot remain at home to observe the public holiday because its non-of her businesses.
However, dozens of mainly women who are NRM supporters in Arua City, accompanied by a band, converged at the Mayor’s gardens and later marched along the Arua-Nebbi road to celebrate President Museveni’s swearing in.
The NRM office in Arua City was also seen parked with some people who struggled for free NRM T-shirts to participate in the town march.
Ahmad Miria, one of the leaders of the women’s group, said they have decided to celebrate the swearing-in since not all could go to Kololo for the national celebrations.
“For us, we have decided to mobilize some resources to have our members celebrate the day here, and it’s all going on well,” Miria noted. But some of the members of the opposition in Arua have described the public declaration and the ‘extravagant occasion as wasteful of the taxpayers’ money.
Stanley Aluma, a supporter of the National Unity Platform in Arua city, said, “There is no new President and therefore Ugandans are being served with a raw deal.” The celebrations are being held in Kololo under the theme Protecting the Gains-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
