“WITH OIL, OUR RATE OF GROWTH WILL GO INTO DOUBLE DIGITS”- PRESIDENT MUSEVENI ASSURES UGANDANS AT THE 44TH TAREHE SITA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has assured that Uganda’s economy will grow into double digits when the country starts producing its oil. “After June (this year), our economy will grow by 7.3 percent without oil. That's a high growth speed, very few countries can achieve that. With oil, our rate of growth will go into double digits; more than 10 percent,” he said. The President who was in the company of the First Lady and the Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, made the remarks today during the 44th Tarehe Sita Anniversary celebrations at Kasasa Township Grounds in Kyotera District. The celebrations ran under the theme: “Celebrating Pan African Solidarity and People’s Sacrifice in the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy for Socio-Economic Transformation”. Tarehe Sita is observed annually on 6th February, and it is a symbol of the founding of the people’s army. The day commemorates the heroic efforts of the founding fathers and the people’s revolution. The President noted that the economy of Uganda is growing progressively, all in the account of the five phases that the economy and society have gone through since 1986. “As a consequence of all this, although we still have a lot to do, our economy will be USD59.3 billion by June 2025 using the Foreign Exchange Method but USD168.5 billion by the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) method. Remember we started with USD4 billion in 1986,” he said. “The phases include minimum economic recovery by bringing back the 3Cs (Coffee, cotton and copper) and 3Ts (Tobacco, Tea and Tourism) of the colonial economy which Idi Amin has destroyed, the second phase was to expand this small economy, that is why with coffee now, we are at 9 million bags, we used to be at 2 million bags. Phase three is to diversify the economy, phase four is adding value and lastly, phase five, we have entered the knowledge economy which include automobile and vaccines.” The President also pledged to handsomely award local scientists who have been able to come up with different innovations like vaccines. “We must congratulate our people. Our university and some factories are now manufacturing most of the diagnostics we need. We are self-sufficient in sanitizers.” Additionally, President Museveni urged Ugandans to ensure value addition to their products if they are to benefit more from their economic sweat. “The value addition with coffee we are moving. We are supporting a number of groups. Therefore, when we tell you that we are targeting an economy of USD 500 billion, in the next few years, take serious note of what we are saying,” he said. “The Greater Masaka area is moving forward in terms of commercialization of coffee, palm oil and milk. Add irrigation to your efforts and the sky will be the limit. In the Katonga flood plain we can do a lot of fishing. This rice I see there, I don't think it's a good idea, we shall talk about it.” President Museveni further revealed that the National Resistance Army (NRA) from the beginning was fighting for certain philosophical, ideological and strategic principles and targets, citing them as some of the reasons why Uganda has been peaceful all these years. “I assert that the philosophical, ideological and the strategic stand has enabled Uganda to be peaceful all these years by building a strong army and other state institutions, expanding education and health services, modernising infrastructure, electricity, ensuring freedom of speech and worship and emphasising Pan-Africanism through regional and political integration,” he said. He also congratulated Ugandans for reaching the 44th Tarehe Sita Anniversary when the NRM attacked Kabamba in 1981. “I congratulate the combatants and the people of Uganda on the victories we have scored since that day. We thank God for these victories,” he said. “Since we are in Kakuuto, I cannot fail to thank the people of Greater Masaka for their support to the liberation in 1972, 1979, 1985-86. Big and historical battles were fought here, I thank you for your support.” On the other hand, President Museveni directed the Ministry of Works and that of Finance and Planning to start consolidating the old roads before working on new ones. “But I need to apologize to the people of this area, we have done many roads in Uganda but the people in the planning Ministry and that of the Ministry of works had made some mistakes. They build new roads and forget old ones. That is how this road from Mutukula to Masaka deteriorated, and they came to work on it when it's a bit late. We have now told them very clearly that we should consolidate the old roads before you work on new ones. That scattered planning, we have stopped it.” President Museveni concluded his speech by reiterating UPDF’s capacity to protect Ugandans and their property. “Like the CDF Gen. Muhoozi has assured you, the UPDF has all the capacity to protect you, supported by you as well as protecting your property.” The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth informed the President that as the political leadership at the Ministry, they work closely with the leadership of the army to achieve the goal of maintaining peace and security in Uganda. “The only thing I should say is that all of us should guard and protect the achievements by the NRM without fear or favor,” he said. “Your Excellency, you took the risk to stage an armed struggle with less equipment and now the CDF has said that our capability as a country has been enhanced so as Ugandans we should stay put and safeguard what God has given us.” The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba said during the event, Uganda commemorates the day the liberation struggle against dictatorship was launched by Gen. Museveni and 27 other gallant fighters. “This event marks a significant day in the history of the UPDF and the NRM and it demonstrates how far we have come and where we aim to go as a country. Ours has been a journey of continuous growth, some challenges notwithstanding,” he said. “We honour and revere all those who sacrificed their lives in the Struggle for this country. With the guidance of our seniors and experience, we shall continue with the agenda of fundamental change in our country as best as we can including by granting security to all our citizens.” Gen. Muhoozi also expressed deep gratitude to President Museveni and all those who believed in his [the President] vision of a liberated, free and prosperous Uganda and Africa. “To everyone who contributed to the liberation struggle, we owe you our heartfelt thanks. Tarehe Sita is special in our hearts, not only for its historical significance in the eventual NRA victory but also for the enduring achievements we continue to witness in our nation,” he said. “As UPDF we have continued to work tirelessly to consolidate the fruits of the liberation struggle to ensure not only peace and security within our border but also supporting our brothers and sisters across the continent. This Pan-African spirit will remain a cornerstone of our mission as UPDF.” At the same function, 41 individuals were awarded with medals for their exceptional contribution towards Uganda’s liberation. The event was also attended by the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, NRM First National Deputy Chairman, Alhajj Moses Kigongo, the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senior security officers, among others.

2025-02-06

“AFRICA SHOULD NOT IMPORT ANY FOOD,” SAYS PRESIDENT MUSEVENI

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has re-emphasized the need for Africa to achieve self-sufficiency in food production rather than relying on imports. “You shouldn't import any food. You can grow and then also process, because we have a lot of raw materials,” H.E. Museveni said, while emphasizing the need to add value to other non-food agricultural products and earn more. “If I sell a kilo of cotton, I may get $1, but if the kilo of cotton is made into shirts, I will get something like $20 from the same kilo. So, when you export cotton, you are donating money to Asians and also jobs,” he added. The President made the remarks on Monday, February 3, 2025, while meeting a group of Gabonese military officers who have been undergoing refresher training at the Senior Command and Staff College, Kimaka, in Jinja. They included Major Jason Dimitri Raivire, Captain Stephen Obouba, Captain Stephane Meboung and Captain Mathieu Collard. According to the President, to get rid of this sense of dependency, it will require strong government policies to leverage the good climate and fertile soils to invest in agriculture. “Here we don't import any food, except what is not eaten by us. I don't eat rice because I'm not an Asian. I don't eat bread because I'm not European. I eat my food, cassava and millet. But some of these people eat rice. They're the ones who import some rice. Otherwise, all the other foods we have in plenty,” he added. After their training, the Gabonese Army officers also toured several agricultural institutions in Uganda to appreciate their critical role in achieving food security through enhancing food production, improving farming techniques, and ensuring sustainable agricultural development. About security, President Museveni emphasized the need for Africa to take responsibility for its own security and defense rather than relying on Western nations. “Why don't you defend yourself? Really bad mentality. It's not good if you have children. When the child is beginning to grow and to walk, you encourage him to walk on his own. You don't say, don't walk. I will carry you. Then you enable the child. Why doesn't the West want their allies in Africa to walk on their own?” the President wondered. “Here, we don't have any foreigners with us. They can train and go. But to defend us? That's a vote of no confidence in ourselves.” The meeting was also attended by officials from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and scientists from the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO).

2025-02-03

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI TAKES FIRM ACTION AGAINST CORRUPT OFFICIALS IN LANGO

In a decisive move to combat corruption within the ranks of local officials, His Excellency the President, Gen. (rtd). Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to revoke police bonds granted to officials implicated in corrupt practices related to the Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries in the Lango sub-region. In a statement released today on his Twitter (X) account, the President emphasised his commitment to ensuring that public officials uphold their responsibilities and act in the best interest of the Ugandan people. Following his recent visit to the Lango sub-region and the disturbing report by the late Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka (RIP) dated 25 January 2025, which detailed the extortion of funds from PDM beneficiaries by corrupt officials, the President has made it clear that accountability must prevail. “Any official who does not do their duty in prosecuting those thieves(suspected) will be held accountable,” said President Museveni. The President's directive aims to restore public confidence in governance and protect the rights of PDM beneficiaries. The government remains steadfast in its fight against corruption and is committed to enhancing transparency and integrity within its institutions.

2025-02-02

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI TO INTRODUCE NEW SKILLING COURSES AT THE PRESIDENTIAL INDUSTRIAL HUBS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appreciated the work done by the presidential skilling Industrial hubs spread across the country for their role in combating unemployment by equipping youth with practical skills for self-employment and job creation. The President, who is in the Lango subregion on a regional tour to assess the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation programs, today commissioned the Lango Presidential Skilling Hub in Ayere Cell, Barapwo Ward, Lira West Division, Lira District, and pledged to expand the skilling courses offered in the skilling hubs across the country. “I’m glad that you, the parents, have responded very well to the initiative of training these young people for free. We are going to expand the skills here to include motor mechanics, plumbing and electric installation so that they (the children) have a bigger base of skills,” H.E. Museveni said. Currently, the 19 Presidential Industrial Hubs across various regions under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Youth are focusing on practical fields such as building and construction, carpentry, welding, hairdressing, baking, tailoring & fashion design, leatherwork, and agriculture with an aim to equip over 12,000 youths annually. President Museveni was happy to learn that the new curriculum introduced by the Ministry of Education has an element of practical studies that were taught to them even during colonial times. “So please, if you appreciate what is happening here, go and spread it out in the primary schools and secondary schools,” he added. However, President Museveni continued to express concern over schools that continue to undermine the objectives of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs, which were established to provide free education to all Ugandan children. He says the imposition of unnecessary charges in government schools is a contributor to high dropout rates among students. “But I’m also not happy because we had started this effort in 1996 when we introduced UPE and later USE. We wanted the children of the poor to study free in government schools, but you did not implement it. You went on introducing charges in schools. As a consequence, many children went on dropping out of schools. That mistake of blocking children from education must be stopped,” H.E. Museveni stated. “Now here I’m providing free education for these children and yet what I’m doing here is much more expensive than it would have been if you implemented UPE and USE.” A primary school per parish and then a secondary school per sub county, according to President Museveni were meant to accommodate children who study from home to cut on the costs of feeding and accommodation where the government would concentrate on paying teachers, putting up the infrastructure and equipping them with text books and laboratory needs. The President also promised to support children who have been skilled through their SACCOs established per district such that they can borrow and create wealth after acquiring skills. He gave Shs 30 million to the three skilled finalists who shared their testimonies and promised another Shs30 million to the SACCO of the regional chairpersons. The Vice President of Uganda, H.E Jessica Alupo welcomed President Museveni and the First Lady also Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni to Lango and re-affirm the NRM’s vision of securing the future of all Ugandans through wealth creation and shared prosperity, while emphasising the priority areas which include; creating wealth and jobs, delivering quality education, provision of health and safe water of Ugandans, ensuring Justice and equity, protecting life and property for all Ugandans and achieving economic and political integration. “Your Excellency, there’s no doubt that the NRM under your leadership is honoring the promises of the people of Uganda,” she said, adding that significant progress has been made in ensuring that all Ugandans join the money economy through various inclusive government programs such as, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Program, the GROW project for women entrepreneurs, and now the Parish Development Model. The Zonal chairperson of the Lango regional Presidential Skilling hub, Mr. George Abudul, informed the President that the hub is shared equally among the 11 administrative units of Lango sub region. A total of 243 youths, 30 of whom come from the ghetto areas, are recruited every 6 months with each district sending 21 children for training and to date a total of 910 youths, 453 of whom are female, have been trained. “Since the majority of the jobs are in the private sector and since our economy is private sector led, I would like to thank you for the vision of establishing the presidential skills hubs in all the zones of this country. Not only to close the skills gaps but also to enable our young people to acquire skills and competencies for the world of work. This is in line with your vision of jobs and wealth creation,” he said. He requested President Museveni to increase the number of trainees per intake from 240 to at least 500, given the ever-increasing need and demand for skilling. The ceremony was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Vice Chancellor of Lira University, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng, RDCs from the region, the LC5 Chairpersons, district NRM chairpersons, CAOs, District security officers, the youth leadership, among others.

2025-01-30

“USE PREVAILING PEACE TO CREATE WEALTH” - PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES PEOPLE OF LANGO

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the people of the Lango subregion to use the prevailing peace in the region to create wealth and chase poverty out of their homes. According to the President, who is in the region to assess the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM), the prevailing peace is a fundamental driver of wealth creation in Uganda through enabling investment, business growth, and job creation. “When you are planning public affairs, first of all, think about peace. How can we bring and maintain peace? And anybody who's trying to disturb peace, don’t allow them because peace is an infrastructure for everything. You can get a very rich country like Congo, always very rich with a lot of minerals and so on, but you can see what is happening there; it cannot develop,” H.E. Museveni said. The President made the remarks on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, while addressing leaders from the Lango sub-region at Ikwera Boma play ground in Aduku town council, Kwania North, Kwania district. The Lango sub-region, which includes districts such as Lira, Apac, Oyam, Kole, Dokolo, Amolatar, Alebtong, Otuke, and Kwania, is now on a path of development, with improvements in various sectors after successful recovery from the devastating effects of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency and other conflicts that affected the region. President Museveni reassured the leaders of further improving the infrastructure in the region, such as roads connecting the different parts of the region to foster wealth creation. He mentioned the Lira-Kamdini Road, spanning 66.5 kilometers, which is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation, and the construction of the road connecting Ochero, Amolatar to Namasale, and Dokolo. “But I want you to be systematic and not to do things at once. We can actually make mistakes because we have diverted more than Shs. 1 trillion to PDM. In five years, you’re talking of seven trillion shillings, which would work on all the roads in Uganda. All those roads you’re talking about, we would finish them in five years. But Apio, who bought sheep to create wealth, would not have bought them,” the President noted, while cautioning the people not to rush the government into doing everything at once. “You should stop confusing the driver. I’m the driver of the bus. I know where to stop and where to slow down. If I’m driving and I slow down and you shout at me for slowing down, you’re going to make me collide. We may have slowed down on the roads, but it's because we are dealing with PDM. So please be guided by flexibility. This is how you succeed,” he added. In the same vein, President Museveni called upon the people of Lango to differentiate between development, which is for all Ugandans, and wealth creation, for which, without it, poverty remains in their homes. He said even if the government provided roads, water, electricity, health centers, and schools, and people don’t change their mindset to join commercial production, they will remain poor. Giving examples of the farmers he has visited in the Lango subregion, the President was happy to learn that people in the countryside are embracing the PDM initiative to get out of poverty. “Yesterday I visited a young boy called Jowel Okello in Amolatar. He's an engineer, but he has gone into farming, and he has got a good farm there with goats and sheep, and he wants to add. So, Jowel Okello, instead of being a job seeker, he has created money, but he has also created jobs—38 of them,” H.E. Museveni said, noting that even those that have not benefited are optimistic and looking forward to being supported. “When I was coming here, I stopped at a swamp, about four kilometres from here, and some villagers there came to join me; they told me that poverty is very serious here. Then I said to them, Have you heard about PDM? They said yes, but the ones that have benefited are on the other side. For us, we shall get the next time. I was very happy with that,” he added, while expressing confidence in the capacity of the PDM to create more jobs for Ugandans than in the other different sectors of the government, such as teaching, police, army, and healthcare. “The population of Uganda is now 46 million. So, this job you are talking about is actually 1% of the whole population. So, you cannot solve the problem of employment through the government. It is the creation of new jobs, which is by individuals, companies, cooperatives, sometimes by the government, through some parastatals, that will create jobs,” the President emphasised. “The few families I have visited, you can see this PDM is going to change our people. Concentrate on it, because many of the people are able to move on their own.” About the fishing problem on the lakes, the President promised to return in May and sort out the matter, and in his view, the activity should be left to the indigenous people involved in fishing, who should also be entrusted to protect the lake for Ugandans. “I brought in the army because the fish was disappearing. And of course, the army also, when they came, also had their own problems. You know, and so on. We are going to deal with them on that but still, the original problem was the original fishermen. If those were there, then the soldiers would never have come there. So therefore, I want you to think about this. I want us to have another meeting in May so that we agree on who should be supported to be on the lake and why they must be allowed,” President Museveni clarified. About politics, President Museveni cautioned the people of the Lango subregion against getting involved in the bad politics of identity. The Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, thanked President Museveni, who is also the National Chairman of the party, and the First Lady Maama Janet Museveni for visiting the Lango subregion. He also thanked the people of Lango for loving NRM and President Museveni, which he said was well demonstrated in the long memorandum delivered on behalf of the people of Lango by Hon. Judith Alyek , which highlighted the achievements of NRM in the region. “Your Excellency. We thank you so much for giving your all to this country and for sacrificing everything about you for the country. You have taught us so many things. We learn through your works; we learn through your actions, and we learn through your body gestures. We have learned from you. We have loved you. You have taught us how to prioritize things. You have taught us how to plan for the masses. We call you a teacher. We call you a leader, a mentor. You have not rested from making sure that all Ugandans are out of poverty. You have fought all the wars. You have liberated this country and brought peace. You have decentralized governance. You have promoted infrastructure and human resources, but still you are not satisfied because our people are still poor. You have launched yet another front to fight poverty; to this we thank you so much,” Rt. Hon. Todwong said. On behalf of the National Resistance Party, he re-echoed the request of the people of Lango and from all over the country to request President Museveni to offer himself for re-election as President in the upcoming 2026 general elections. Earlier, Hon. Judith Alyek, the Chairperson Lango Parliamentary Group and Kole Woman MP expressed gratitude to the President for the peace and all the efforts to get Ugandans out of poverty. “Your Excellency Lango subregion that was once the epicentre of insurgencies during the LRA period has now achieved total peace and security, which has formed a foundation for socio- economic development,” Hon. Alyek said, while extending gratitude for the strides made over the past years in the areas of education, several infrastructure developments, and the support in constructing the cultural chiefdom headquarters, which is a key ingredient in the preservation and promotion of culture and rich heritage. She also highlighted areas where additional support is crucial to further the development, such as the construction of Lira Airport, for which land has been secured, the construction of national roads and bridges, and the establishment of a regional driving license issuance center, among other requests. Earlier, the meeting was treated to presentations from several officials, such as Hon. Dennis Galabuzi Ssozi, the National Coordinator of the Parish Development Model; Hon. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo, Minister of State for Microfinance, who presented on the state of Emyooga in the region; and Hon. Musa Ecweru on the status of the road infrastructure in the Lango region. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Maama Janet K. Museveni, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Dennis Obua, ministers, Members of Parliament, security chiefs, and religious leaders.

2025-01-29

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES CONSTRUCTION OF AKII-BUA OLYMPIC STADIUM

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni have today performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City. The construction of the US$ 129 million state-of-the-art facility is to be undertaken by an Egyptian firm SAMCO National Construction Company and Khater Sports and is projected to take a record period of 20 months to complete. President Museveni used the occasion to explain the cause of the delay in the construction of the Stadium while at the same time castigating some political actors who are spreading lies tying the upcoming Presidential and general elections to the project. “No Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium, no votes for NRM. So please we are tired of lies. Elections based on lies are not good elections, they should be based on the truth. If you have elections based on lies then you are killing your country,” President Museveni warned. President Museveni explained that the government had to prioritize the implementation of the competing programmes on a small resource envelope. He said the government did not deliberately abandon sports or the construction of stadiums but had to first deal with the basic necessities in the country like peace, infrastructure, education and health, among others. “Therefore, the delay of the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium was not because we did not care, it was because we had to survive first; peace, food, education, health and infrastructure, among others,” he said. “When some people try to say, Oh, this government is useless, they have forgotten sports- I am a sportsman myself, but I couldn’t start with sports when there was no peace or food in the country. It is not that we didn’t know about sports but one by one makes a bundle,” President Museveni explained. He also cautioned the wanainchi against some political actors who claim to be able to do everything at once and always to treat them as liars. President Museveni also informed the audience that the day was about celebrating the sports legend John Akii-Bua and also to fulfill the commitment of co-hosting the AFCON tournament with the sister East African countries of Kenya and Tanzania. He stressed that Uganda is to fast track the construction of the stadium as AFCON is an international event, adding that Uganda will not fail to do her part. “This time we agreed with other East Africans- Kenya and Tanzania to host the Afcon. Now that we have committed with other East Africans, we must do the 3 stadiums the AFCON people want. We have Namboole, Nakivubo and initially Akii-Bua stadium,” he elaborated. President Museveni further explained that the AFCON group brought in other conditions of having an International Airport near the stadium leading to Hoima stadium coming on board because of Kabalega International Airport. President Museveni assured the nation that the government will construct other smaller stadiums regionally in a phased manner. Maama Janet praised God for the event, describing it as a new chapter in the sports sub-sector. She commended President Museveni for supporting sports in the country. “Thank you, Mr. President, for always finding time in your busy schedule to be part of our sports events and for your commitment to the development of Sports in the nation,” she said. She additionally acknowledged the guidance the President has offered to the young generation of the country. “You have guided us; you have cheered our young people on. Some of them look up to you as their coach and cheerleader. We cannot thank you enough,” the First Lady said. Maama Janet also noted that the delay of the construction of Akii-Bua stadium was due to several competing demands but strongly believed that God's timing is the best as the long-awaited event finally took place. She further announced the ongoing construction of Hoima City Stadium, the renovation of Mandela stadium and plans to undertake the second phase of works at the stadium to ensure its compliance with the International Standards in preparation for AFCON. “The beauty of the investment is that all these facilities will bridge the gap in sports infrastructure even at community level because they will serve beyond the AFCON tournament,” she observed. She further announced other government’s commitments like the construction of Buhinga, Kakyeka stadiums and Lugogo Sports complex among others, pointing out that all the investments are capital intensive in nature and will be handled in a phased manner. The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng saluted President Museveni and the First Lady for gracing the event. She also thanked the people of Lira City and beyond for turning up in large numbers on a short notice. She assured the President and Maama Janet that the people of Lango love sports and have generated several local football clubs that are doing very well in the sub-region, having some of their players in the country’s big teams. The function was also attended by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon. Betty Amongi and the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Omona. Others who attended included the former Egyptian Diplomat in Kampala Ambassador Mohamed El- Hamzani and the SAMCO project Manager Mohamed Nazih.

2025-01-29