President Museveni has credited war veterans for the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) 1986 victory, linking Uganda’s subsequent development gains to the movement’s founding principles of democracy, security, and service delivery.
Speaking during the scientific Heroes Day celebrations held at State House in Nakasero, Museveni paid tribute to armed veterans who supported the liberation struggle, saying their contribution enabled the movement to defeat a government army that was better equipped at the time.
"I thank all the veterans, armed veterans, who enabled us to achieve this victory; to defeat an army of the government that then had all the weapons," Museveni said.
The President further tied his leadership philosophy to Christian values, saying he is guided by a desire to uplift those around him and improve their living conditions.
"I don’t want to neighbour poor people everywhere I be; because I’m a Christian and I want to go to Heaven. I don’t want the angels to lock me out; like the rich man who had wealth on earth and on ascending, was sent to hell. Everywhere I be, I try to uplift the livelihood of those around me," he said.
Museveni also pointed to public health and infrastructure achievements as evidence of progress since the NRM came to power, citing the near eradication of polio as an example of improved health outcomes.
"If you look for anybody now with Polio, you will not see them; if you see anybody with Polio, you see that they were born in the time of UPC. That is a UPC disease," he said.
He listed the NRM’s original objectives as democracy, security, economic transformation, infrastructure development and education, saying these remain central to the government’s agenda.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Luwero Triangle and Rwenzori Region, Alice Kaboyo, said government has constructed 16 low-cost houses for civilian veterans living in difficult conditions while broader interventions are being developed.
Speaking during the same scientific Heroes Day celebrations at State House Nakasero, Kaboyo said her office had prioritised partnerships to improve the welfare of veterans despite limited resources.
"Besides household income and old age related illnesses, some of our gallant veterans are living in very deplorable conditions. Given the meager resources, I deemed it wise to enter into partnership with NEC to construct low cost houses for our people, veterans. We have so far constructed 16 houses," Kaboyo said.
She added that government is also supporting the rehabilitation and construction of selected educational facilities as part of broader social interventions in the Luwero Triangle and surrounding regions.
Kaboyo further noted that her office is awaiting implementation of additional recommended interventions from the relevant ministries but continues to use available resources to address urgent needs among veterans and communities.
"As we wait for the Ministry’s response and implementation of the recommended interventions, we have, with our limited resources, supported the construction and rehabilitation of selected educational facilities," she said.
The event underscored government’s continued emphasis on recognising veterans of the liberation struggle while linking their contribution to Uganda’s broader development trajectory since 1986.