President Museveni on Sunday outlined the economic priorities for his next term as President of Uganda, following his formal re‑election declaration after the January 15 presidential polls.
Museveni, who won nearly 8 million votes according to provisional figures released by the Electoral Commission, said poverty eradication at the household level and support for wealth creators will anchor his administration’s development agenda.
“For about 70 percent of the people in the money economy, we must support them to continue growing,” Museveni said in his acceptance remarks. “For the remaining 30 percent, this is where we must decisively address poverty.”
Museveni placed particular emphasis on the Parish Development Model (PDM), a flagship government programme launched in recent years with the stated objective of lifting households out of poverty.
“PDM has given people hope that we can get rid of poverty,” he said, acknowledging that although the programme has shown promise, its implementation has been uneven.
“We must analyze and find out what is working and what is not,” he said, underscoring the need for continuous evaluation and adjustment.
The President said that poverty should not be understood merely as a national statistic, but as a reality that must be eliminated in individual households.
“We must end poverty in the homesteads,” he said.
Education, Healthcare and Jobs
Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free education in public schools and improved healthcare services, saying these components are critical to uplifting communities and equipping the youth for the future.
“Corruption annoys our people,” he said, highlighting public frustration with slow service delivery and gaps in essential sectors.
The President warned elected leaders that his government will take a firm stance on accountability:
“I will be very harsh in this Kisanja,” he said, indicating that leadership discipline and oversight will be stricter in his forthcoming term.
On job creation, Museveni said that the focus will remain on expanding the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as well as strengthening the private sector, rather than relying on public service employment.
Museveni’s economic vision also included deeper integration with regional markets. He said Uganda’s internal market alone is insufficient to sustain robust industrial growth and pointed to the East African Community (EAC) as a strategic economic opportunity.
Security, Unity and Economic Confidence
In his remarks, Museveni said national peace and stability are critical preconditions for economic progress.
“It is not just the security forces who are maintaining peace,” he said. “It is all Ugandans, including members of the opposition.”
He also warned against political violence and extremism, framing peace as an economic asset that benefits all citizens.
“This is a free warning from me,” he said. “Stop what you are doing. We shall maintain peace in Uganda.”
Museveni confirmed that Uganda’s oil production is expected to begin this year and stressed that the revenues must be invested in long‑lasting infrastructure and institutions.
“Our oil will start flowing this year,” he said. “This money must be used for things that will last, like railways, power stations, roads, and science education.”
He cautioned against direct distribution of oil revenues to local governments, arguing that such an approach would squander a finite resource that should be leveraged for national assets.
“This oil will last about 20 years,” he said. “If you care about your country, you must use this exhaustible resource to build things that will endure.”
First Lady Maama Janet Museveni, reiterating her husband’s emphasis on unity and purpose, urged party leaders to re‑educate themselves and recommit to public service.
“We must now re‑educate ourselves,” she said. “If we do so, God will bless our efforts just as He did during these campaigns.”
Vice President Jessica Alupo praised Museveni’s leadership approach, saying it united people from diverse backgrounds and lent confidence to Uganda’s future economic prospects.
“This is not the day to give a detailed account of the campaign, but Your Excellency demonstrated a very fatherly approach,” she said.
With poverty, economic growth and corruption at the top of the national agenda, Museveni’s new term will be measured by implementation outcomes — particularly whether household incomes rise, jobs are created at scale, and public services become more responsive.
As he moves forward with his development blueprint, Museveni’s challenge will be to translate broad policy goals into measurable improvements in Ugandans’ lives.