Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem has made a strong statement about Uganda’s presidential transition, saying the process has already started and warning those who dismiss it that they could be left embarrassed. His remarks have sparked interest at a time when discussions about the country’s political future and leadership succession continue to attract public attention.
“The transition for the presidency has started, and if you still think that it is a joke, then you will be ashamed,” Oryem said. The former minister’s message suggests that he believes developments surrounding the transfer of presidential leadership should be taken seriously rather than dismissed as political talk.
Oryem’s statement is likely to raise questions about what he means by the transition and which developments he believes show that the process is underway. However, the remarks as provided do not identify specific steps, dates or formal arrangements connected to the transition.
Uganda’s presidential succession remains a significant political issue because President Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986. Discussions about the country’s future leadership often attract strong reactions from political figures, supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), opposition leaders and ordinary citizens.
The former minister’s warning also carries a political message for those who may be underestimating the situation. By suggesting that sceptics could be ashamed, Oryem appears confident that events will eventually demonstrate the seriousness of his remarks.
His comments may generate further debate about whether Uganda is entering a new phase of political succession or whether the statement reflects his own assessment of the current political environment. Without additional details, it remains unclear which specific developments he was referring to.
The issue of presidential transition is particularly important in Uganda, where political stability, continuity of government and the future direction of national leadership are subjects of public interest. Any remarks by senior figures about succession can therefore attract attention and prompt calls for greater clarity about what lies ahead.
Oryem’s statement has added another voice to the conversation about Uganda’s political future. Whether further developments will clarify what he meant by the transition remains to be seen, but his warning has made one thing clear: he believes the subject should not be dismissed as a joke.
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