Museveni Defends Government's Record, Declares 'No More Sleep' on Underperformance

President Yoweri Museveni addressed the nation, presenting a strong defense of his government’s record and introducing a new directive: “no more sleep.” This initiative targets corruption, public sector idleness, and political distractions that hinder development.

The President highlighted Uganda’s transition to lower-middle-income status, characterizing his address as both a celebration of the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) successes and a firm message to those who would undermine progress.

He clarified that “no more sleep” is a direct mandate to eliminate corruption, idleness, diversionary politics, and the unproductive use of public resources. Museveni warned political figures against seeking office for personal gain, emphasizing that leadership must serve the nation’s strategic objectives.

Drawing parallels to his early activism against subsistence farming, Museveni showcased the transformation of the cattle corridor, which now boasts numerous processing factories and significantly increased milk production. He contrasted this success with the perceived entitlement of some modern leaders who expect state support for basic constituent outreach.

“The achievements on the ground speak for themselves,” Museveni stated, citing tangible progress in areas like the Mbale Industrial Park and improvements in national health indicators, including a rise in life expectancy from 43 to 68 years. He specifically challenged criticisms, labeling them as “malicious falsehoods.”

Official figures presented indicated a substantial expansion of Uganda’s GDP, a decline in household poverty, and a surge in export revenues driven by new products. The economy is projected for strong growth in the coming fiscal year, even before the commencement of commercial oil production.

The President outlined future wealth creation strategies focusing on agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT, emphasizing the effective utilization of government programs like the Parish Development Model. Infrastructure development, including railway upgrades and a focus on reducing road freight, was also a key point.

A comprehensive legislative agenda for the upcoming financial year was also detailed, featuring bills aimed at improving regulation across agriculture, health, infrastructure, economy, security, and finance sectors.

This article is based on reporting from the Daily Monitor.