Senior Presidential Advisor on Trade Phillip Kakuru has described President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s upcoming seventh term as a “generational transition” phase expected to focus on economic transformation, regional trade integration, and youth leadership development.
Speaking ahead of the President’s swearing-in ceremony, Kakuru said Museveni’s continued electoral victories reflect public confidence in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and its long-term development agenda.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 after leading the National Resistance Army insurgency that toppled the government of former President Tito Okello, remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His tenure has been defined by relative political stability, infrastructure expansion, economic liberalization, and regional diplomacy, though critics continue to raise concerns over governance and democratic space.
Kakuru credited Museveni with steering Uganda through decades of political and economic transformation, arguing that his leadership has promoted national unity and political stability.
He drew comparisons with global leaders such as Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Julius Nyerere, and Nelson Mandela, describing Museveni as a “visionary” and “master tactician” whose leadership helped reshape Uganda’s political landscape through integration of diverse political and regional actors.
According to Kakuru, Uganda’s next phase of development will prioritize trade, industrialization, agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, and infrastructure expansion as the country seeks to transition into a middle-income economy.
He noted that Uganda has intensified efforts toward value addition in sectors such as coffee, dairy, mining, and agriculture, arguing that exporting finished products is key to job creation and increased export earnings.
“The next five to ten years are the most critical in terms of transformation,” Kakuru said, adding that Uganda must position itself within the changing global economic order through stronger regional trade.
He emphasized the importance of the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to create the world’s largest free trade zone linking more than 1.3 billion people across Africa.
Kakuru also said global politics is shifting toward economic competition rather than ideology, urging African countries to deepen intra-African trade and industrial self-reliance.
Youth employment, technical education reform, and anti-corruption efforts were highlighted as key priorities expected to shape the seventh term agenda.
Uganda continues to grapple with high youth unemployment despite government programmes on skilling, industrial parks, and entrepreneurship support.
Kakuru also praised Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, crediting efforts to strengthen accountability and fight corruption in public institutions.
On diaspora affairs, he said government is considering formal diaspora representation in Parliament, noting that Ugandans abroad contribute significantly to the economy through remittances.
According to Bank of Uganda figures, diaspora remittances remain a major source of foreign exchange and contribute billions annually to the economy.
Kakuru said discussions had already been held with the President on enhancing diaspora participation in national planning and governance.
“The diaspora is an integral component of Uganda’s economic growth,” he said.
He further urged young Ugandans to protect gains achieved under the NRM government, particularly in security, political stability, and economic development.
Kakuru said the upcoming term represents a transition from the liberation generation to a younger generation expected to drive Uganda’s future economic agenda.
The remarks come as Uganda prepares for Museveni’s swearing-in following his re-election, with the government positioning the next term as a critical phase for industrial growth, trade expansion, and economic transformation.