President Museveni on Tuesday urged Ugandan youth to stop seeking employment abroad, insisting that the country offers greater opportunities for growth and prosperity than destinations like Dubai.
Speaking shortly after being nominated to run for re-election in the 2026 polls, Museveni criticized the growing trend of young Ugandans traveling to the Middle East in search of jobs, arguing that the same energy could be used to build wealth at home.
“You find our young people going to Dubai what are they going to do in Dubai? Uganda has more opportunities than Dubai,” Museveni said.
The President cited Uganda’s natural resources, fertile land, and expanding economy as evidence of better prospects if effectively utilised.
He also directed government ministries and agencies to intensify initiatives that create local employment and income-generating opportunities for young people.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the Electoral Commission chairperson, declared Museveni duly nominated after verifying his academic documents and nomination papers.
Museveni, 81, was the first presidential candidate to be cleared at the EC headquarters in Lweza, Entebbe Road, where he arrived at 10 a.m. accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni.
He was received by senior government officials including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.
In his maiden speech, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer thanked party members for endorsing him and pledged to campaign on the basis of past achievements and future plans.
He said Uganda’s economy had grown significantly, noting that the country’s GDP had doubled from $34 billion to $66 billion in the last five years.
“To double the GDP in just one term is no mean achievement,” Museveni said, adding that his next term would focus on consolidating economic growth while tackling corruption, crime, and impunity.
“There’s peace in the country; there’s some crime, corruption and impunity. The NRM structure should come out and help expose criminals. If we work on corruption, criminality and impunity, it will help our people also enjoy the transformation that is happening. It will be a double mission in the coming kisanji,” he said.
Museveni pledged to continue empowering the middle class, business community, and peasants to ensure broader participation in the country’s transformation agenda.
Other presidential aspirants scheduled for nomination today include Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party and Elton Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party.
NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, and FDC’s Nathan Nandala Mafabi will be nominated on Wednesday, September 24.
