Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni drew smiles and mild confusion in Kisumu after greeting a largely Luo audience with the word “Mulembe” during a public event on March 21, 2026.
The moment occurred during a joint function attended by William Ruto, where the two leaders launched the Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension at Kibos.
The project is expected to boost transport, trade, and regional integration across East Africa.
Museveni opened his speech with the greeting “Mulembe,” a term commonly used by the Luhya community.
In Kisumu, where the majority are Luo, greetings such as “Ber” are more widely used. The unexpected choice quickly caught the attention of the crowd, with some people smiling while others appeared surprised.
The moment soon sparked reactions online, with social media users responding with humor and curiosity. Some joked that the Ugandan leader had mixed up communities, while others suggested he may have used a familiar greeting from previous visits to western Kenya.
Despite the light moment, the event also addressed key regional issues. Oburu Odinga used the platform to raise concerns about tensions on Lake Victoria, urging both leaders to improve cooperation and protect fishermen from cross-border conflicts.
President Ruto, on his part, emphasized the importance of the railway project, noting that it would create economic opportunities and strengthen regional trade. Museveni also expressed support for extending the railway further into Uganda.
While the “Mulembe” greeting stood out as a humorous highlight, the event underscored growing cooperation between Kenya and Uganda, as well as the importance of cultural awareness in regional engagements.
Tags
News