President Museveni has dismissed claims that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has failed to deliver for Uganda, describing such assertions as misleading and hostile to the country’s progress.
Addressing his final campaign rally at Kololo Independence Grounds on Tuesday, Museveni said it was “foolhardy” for anyone to argue that the NRM has done nothing since coming to power.
“There is a way for everybody to get out of poverty. Because of all this, in spite of some weaknesses here and there, Uganda is the fifth fastest-growing country in the world,” Museveni said. “Anyone who wants to commit suicide because of this fact should do so. It is not only in Africa but in the entire world that we are the fifth fastest-growing economy.”
He added that critics who deny the country’s progress are enemies seeking to divert Ugandans from development.
“When you hear some people say NRM has done nothing, they are our enemies. Those without eyes to see the factories are our enemies who want to divert us,” he said.
Museveni argued that Uganda’s economic growth is even more impressive given that the country has not yet started exploiting its oil resources.
“It looks like Uganda may even be number one in the whole world because the countries growing faster than us—such as Guyana, South Sudan, Guinea and Sudan—are benefiting from oil or minerals. Uganda is number five, growing at 7.6 percent before exploiting oil. When we start exploiting our oil, we shall be number one,” he said.
He urged Ugandans to reject what he termed as campaigns by enemies aimed at confusing the population and the international community.
The President also highlighted Uganda’s economic expansion since 1986, noting significant improvements in wealth creation and infrastructure development.
“Uganda is now 17 times richer than it was in 1986. At that time, the economy was worth 3.9 billion dollars. By June this year, it will be 68.4 billion dollars using the exchange-rate method,” Museveni said.
He attributed this growth to sectors such as commercial agriculture, industry, hotels and tourism, artisanal production and information and communication technology (ICT).
“These are the sectors where wealth and jobs are found, and all of them have grown 17 times since 1986,” he added.
Enter PDM
Museveni acknowledged that much of the growth had initially benefited wealthier Ugandans but said the government had deliberately introduced programs to ensure inclusive development.
He cited Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga, Entandikwa and the Parish Development Model (PDM) as initiatives designed to bring poorer Ugandans into the money economy through grants and support.
“The money given to banana vendors, mechanics, boda boda riders, ghetto dwellers and university leavers targets people who do not have savings and cannot borrow from banks,” he said.
Museveni maintained that when Uganda’s progress is assessed in terms of wealth creation, jobs, infrastructure and peace, the contribution of the NRM cannot be ignored. He called on voters to support the ruling party in the forthcoming elections to ensure continuity of these programs.
Meanwhile, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, urged Ugandans to turn up in large numbers to vote for the NRM on January 15.
“Our responsibility is to go out and vote because our vote is a contribution to building Uganda. If you do not vote, you have not played your role,” Janet Museveni said. “I remind everybody listening to me to vote for President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers.”