Museveni Urges Ugandans to Seize Development Programs for Economic Growth

President Yoweri Museveni is encouraging Ugandans to leverage various government financial development programs to boost their economic standing. Speaking at the State of the Nation Address, the President emphasized that active participation in sectors such as commercial agriculture, ICT, services, and manufacturing is crucial for entering the money economy.

He pointed to the significant government investment of Shs1.6 trillion in the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) as a testament to this commitment. UDB has been instrumental in supporting farmers and manufacturers, enabling them to undertake major projects that have positively impacted their communities.

Museveni reiterated the government’s focus on wealth creation, particularly within the agricultural sector, through initiatives like dairy, coffee, and tea farming. He attributed the success of these initiatives to the prevailing peace, law and order, and improved infrastructure, which facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services.

Further underscoring the government’s infrastructure development agenda, the President mentioned ongoing efforts to revamp the meter-gauge railway and construct the standard-gauge railway. Collaborations with Kenya and Tanzania on oil pipelines are also expected to shift heavy cargo from roads to rail and petroleum products to pipelines, thereby freeing up roads for passenger and light cargo transport.

The President also stressed the need to expand Uganda’s market reach internationally, citing large populations in countries like China and India as potential markets. He linked this to the Pan-African agenda, emphasizing economic integration for the collective prosperity of Africans and strategic security within East Africa.

“No more sleep,” Museveni declared, urging legislators to educate their constituents about low-interest financing opportunities such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. He stressed accountability in leadership, stating that non-performers must be removed, as leadership is a service to the people and the country.

Looking ahead, the government plans to present 38 Bills, policy frameworks, and reports to Parliament in the 2026/2027 financial year, aimed at strengthening governance and service delivery.

Source: Parliament of Uganda