President Museveni has accused veteran journalist and political commentator Andrew Mwenda of sabotaging Uganda’s economic transformation agenda, undermining local industrialisation efforts and advancing neo-colonial interests.
In a lengthy statement released on Saturday through social media, Museveni responded directly to recent remarks by Mwenda that reportedly questioned his judgment and leadership, dismissing suggestions that he is “senile.”
“Mr. Mwenda, thank you for declaring me senile and incapable of judging right,” Museveni wrote before adding, “You will, however, discover that at 82, I am still able to defend Uganda and myself with the Bible, the AK-47 and the pen.”
The President’s response quickly evolved into a wider defence of the government’s economic policies, particularly its push for industrialisation, value addition and state-backed local enterprises.
Museveni accused Mwenda of deliberately attacking Ugandan innovators and entrepreneurs while allegedly ignoring successful local projects and initiatives that, according to the President, demonstrate Uganda’s growing industrial and scientific capacity.
“You are supposed to be a journalist. Why do you not interview these ‘conmen’ such as Magoola, Senfuka, etc.?” Museveni asked.
“Visit Magoola’s factories in Matugga and Kamuli. Interview people who testify that they were cured by Senfuka’s mixture of herbs. Visit Tugume’s factory in Ntungamo. Visit Professor Muranga’s banana project in Bushenyi.”
Museveni also defended the controversial Kiira Motors Corporation project, which has faced criticism over years of government funding and delayed commercial production.
The President described criticism of the project as part of what he termed a wider campaign against African industrialisation efforts.
“You are ashamed and you dare not talk about the Kiira Motors because that is a shamer of the neo-colonial agents like Mwenda,” he said.
Museveni argued that critics opposed to government investment in industrial projects are comfortable maintaining Uganda’s historical dependence on exporting raw materials with minimal value addition.
He cited gold and coffee exports as examples of how Africa loses billions of dollars through unprocessed exports.
“The stubborn old man of Uganda who is senile, banned the export of all unprocessed minerals,” Museveni wrote sarcastically. “There are now 10 gold refineries in Uganda. The gold exports from Uganda have now hit USD 7.48 billion.”
The President further defended government wealth creation programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying they have significantly contributed to agricultural growth and rising household incomes.
“What caused the boom of coffee from 3 million bags to now 8.8 million bags bringing into the country USD 2.4 billion?” he asked.
Museveni also accused Mwenda of leaking internal government discussions, including Cabinet matters, onto social media platforms in ways he claimed could undermine investor confidence in Uganda’s economy.
“What could be the real motive of Andrew Mwenda of externalizing in the social-media our internal discussions, including the Cabinet?” Museveni asked.
“It is to scare away our partners because the likes of Andrew Mwenda are worried by the success of Uganda’s economy, now growing at 6.3% per annum.”
The President also revived a long-running dispute surrounding the stalled Bujagali Hydroelectric Power Station project, accusing Mwenda of being among individuals who frustrated Uganda’s earlier partnership with AES Corporation, which he argued would have produced cheaper electricity.
“He was part of those that caused load-shedding in Uganda in 2005 and onwards,” Museveni wrote.
Museveni went on to list sectors he said have expanded despite resistance from critics, including dairy farming, palm oil growing, steel manufacturing, coffee farming and fruit processing industries across different regions of the country.
“We have succeeded in spite of their sabotage,” he said.
In one of the more personal sections of the statement, Museveni compared Uganda’s industrialisation journey to a child learning how to walk, arguing that setbacks should not be used to discourage national ambition.
“We attacked Kabamba two times, not succeeding. On the third attempt, we had great success,” he wrote, referencing the historic NRA attack during the liberation struggle.
“Failure from which we learn lessons, is success.”
Drawing from an Ankole proverb, Museveni added: “We do not do what Mwenda is doing by saying: ‘The child will never stand.’ You, then, become omwinazi (an ill-wisher).”
