President Museveni has commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and other security agencies for what he described as a “robust” performance in maintaining peace and stability during the recent general elections.
Speaking on Friday at Kabale National Teachers’ College in Kabale District during the 45th Tarehe Sita Anniversary celebrations, Museveni said the security forces acted decisively to neutralise groups that had intended to disrupt the electoral process.
“I want to salute the UPDF and other security forces for the robust security they gave during the recent elections. They did a very good job. There were indeed groups that were planning bad things, but they could not disturb us because our security system is very robust,” he said.
The annual Tarehe Sita celebrations commemorate the launch of the National Resistance Army’s (NRA) five-year guerrilla war, which began 45 years ago and eventually brought President Museveni to power.
Museveni said Uganda continues to register strong performance across several sectors and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive development.
“Uganda is doing very well in many sectors. The sectors where people were left behind, we are going to pay attention to them,” he said, citing the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a key intervention that has already begun transforming livelihoods. He added that government plans are underway to enhance and expand the programme.
Museveni noted that Uganda has attained lower-middle-income status and is now aiming to transition to a high-middle-income economy within the next few years.
“We are now a lower-middle-income country, but we target to become a high-middle-income country in a few years. We have the capacity to achieve this growth,” he said.
In a major infrastructure announcement, Museveni revealed plans to construct two new international airports aimed at boosting trade and tourism.
Museveni said the government will build a large international airport in Kisoro District on land donated by businessman Amos Nzeyi. The project will be undertaken in partnership with the ruler of Sharjah, an emirate in the United Arab Emirates.
“This airport will enable tourists to fly directly into the area without using the road, which will significantly boost tourism,” he said.
Museveni also announced plans to construct another international airport in Mbarara City, which he said will be larger than Entebbe International Airport. According to Museveni, the facility will strengthen Uganda’s trade links with South America and China.
Museveni further highlighted Uganda’s industrial potential, particularly in steel production, citing the country’s vast iron ore deposits.
“Uganda will be a big steel producer in the world because we have very good iron ore—more than 500 million tonnes,” he said.
During the ceremony, President Museveni awarded the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a medal in recognition of his leadership in anti–Al-Shabaab operations and for commanding military missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia.
The Tarehe Sita celebrations were attended by cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, senior UPDF officers, and local government leaders, among other dignitaries.