President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has outlined a six-point agenda aimed at propelling Uganda into a high middle-income economy, warning that failure to eliminate corruption could derail the country’s progress.
In a speech delivered shortly after being nominated unopposed as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer for the 2026 general elections and as party chairperson, Museveni emphasized peace, development, wealth creation, job creation, access to essential services, and spirituality as the cornerstones of Uganda’s next phase of transformation.
“We must not again miss the bus of history like we did when Europe transformed, and Africa stagnated,” he said, calling for a collective effort to unlock Uganda’s economic potential.
He stressed the need for value addition to Uganda’s abundant raw materials, citing examples such as coffee, tin, and gold. He noted that while Uganda earns just USD 2.5 per kilogram of de-husked coffee, the same product processed abroad fetches up to USD 40 per kilogram.
“Our economy today is largely raw-material based. With value addition and the knowledge economy, we can achieve a GDP of USD 500 billion in the next few years—not by 2040 as some suggest,” Museveni asserted.
The President also highlighted the critical role of the private sector in job creation. He said factories and commercial agriculture have created millions of jobs, far exceeding the limited opportunities within government.
“Wealth creates jobs. Most employment comes from commercial farms, factories, services, and ICT—not the public sector,” he said.
On corruption, Museveni was categorical, describing it as a key obstacle that must be confronted if Uganda is to realize its vision.
“We can do much better, especially if we eliminate corruption,” he noted.
Tracing Uganda’s post-independence challenges, Museveni recounted how political fragmentation and institutional collapse had crippled the country by 1986, leaving behind a shattered economy, weak governance structures, and widespread shortages of basic goods.
He credited the NRM with leading the country through phases of liberation, stabilization, and economic recovery over the last 60 years.
“From USD 3.9 billion in 1986, Uganda’s economy has grown 16 times. We are now a lower-middle-income country with a GDP per capita of USD 1,263,” he reported.
President Museveni congratulated newly elected NRM leaders and reminded them that leadership should be rooted in ideology, not personal gain.
“Political leadership is not a job. It is about fighting for people’s interests—not being a hired shepherd,” he said, referencing the Bible.
He urged the youth to become wealth creators through initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, and to uphold integrity in public service.
Looking ahead, Museveni reaffirmed his readiness to serve another term, saying he would work with NRM structures to deliver Uganda into a new era of prosperity.
“With God’s help, we shall achieve the qualitative leap to high middle-income status and eventually First World status,” he declared.
Museveni now awaits nomination rivals from other political parties as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections.