BY OUR INTELLIGENCE DESK
NATIONAL
A drone fireworks display organized ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony is attracting criticism after many Kampala residents described the much-publicized event as disappointing, raising fresh concerns over the reported Shs2 billion spent on the production.
The show, held on Monday, May 11, 2026, was organized by the NRM Secretariat and executed by Uganda-based Jwala Fireworks in collaboration with Kenya’s Jays Pyrotechnics. It had been advertised as a major aerial spectacle expected to light up Kampala’s seven hills, including Namirembe, Kisaasi, Kibuli, Makerere, Lubiri, Old Kampala, and Kireka.
Residents were invited to watch the display beginning at 8:00 PM, but many reportedly waited for more than 30 minutes before the drones finally appeared at around 8:30 PM above Ntinda hills. The performance lasted roughly 10 to 14 minutes, leading to criticism from sections of the public who questioned whether the event matched its billing and cost.
The brief showcase has since sparked debate about value for money and whether public resources were used appropriately considering the scale of promotion surrounding the event.
Attention has also shifted to Jwala Fireworks, with critics questioning the company’s experience and technical capability to handle a production of that magnitude.
Jwala Fireworks previously came under criticism following a New Year’s Eve fireworks event on December 31, 2024, at Namaste Restaurant near Acacia Mall in Kamokya. During that incident, some fireworks allegedly malfunctioned after being improperly positioned, causing blasts to shoot sideways toward revelers and nearby property instead of into the sky.
According to Namaste Restaurant manager Kaiwan Banji, at least three fireworks installations had been incorrectly arranged, creating a serious safety risk to both people and surrounding structures. He further alleged that complaints directed to Jwala Fireworks management after the incident were met with hostility instead of an apology.
The latest controversy has now intensified questions over how Jwala Fireworks was selected for the Kampala drone project and whether the procurement process followed the required procedures before the contract was awarded.
Members of the public are also calling on the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to establish whether a VAT invoice was issued for the reported Shs2 billion transaction.
Industry sources reportedly told this publication that several other Ugandan companies possessed the technical capacity to stage a larger and more effective drone display using Pyrol Drone technology at a lower cost. Some insiders claimed such firms could have covered Kampala’s seven hills and additional towns across the country more efficiently and affordably.
The matter has further fueled calls for transparency regarding the bidding process and the individuals or companies that benefited from the contract.
Meanwhile, former Capital Radio presenter Irish Daniel Kanyerezi, commonly known as the “Love Doctor,” has alleged that the NRM Secretariat took his original concept and implementation plan, contacted a Kenyan drone supplier, and later presented the idea to President Museveni as their own.
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