Focus On NRM Manifesto: Museveni Outlines Bold Plan To Finish Uganda’s Development Race

By Frank Kamuntu

The road to a modern Uganda is not a sprint but a long relay race, and the NRM says it is determined to finish what it started. After four decades of building stability, security, and steady social and economic progress, the party believes the country is closer than ever to crossing the finish line. The next five years are being framed as a decisive phase — practical, bold, and inclusive, ensuring that no Ugandan is left behind.

A major priority is wealth creation for the many households still stuck in subsistence living. The goal is to move families from survival to prosperity by helping small farmers and backyard enterprises become real businesses that can pay school fees, build homes, and create new ventures. Land reform will go hand in hand with this effort by resolving ownership disputes and fragmentation so that farmers can consolidate land and produce at scale for both local consumption and export.

Another key theme is value addition. The NRM wants Uganda to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on producing finished goods that create jobs and keep profits within the country. From coffee to minerals, the plan is to set up factories and processing plants that turn local raw materials into high-value products for regional and global markets.

Agriculture remains central to Uganda’s future, but the focus is shifting from rain-fed farming to modern, irrigated agriculture. Expanding irrigation, restoring soil health, and promoting the use of better fertilizers will stabilize harvests, improve yields, and make farming a dependable business rather than a gamble on weather. These agricultural reforms are tied to other sectors such as tourism and mining, which the government plans to develop in a sustainable way that benefits local communities.

Science, technology, and innovation are being promoted as the driving force of Uganda’s next industrial leap. The plan is to transition from a raw-material-based economy to one driven by manufacturing, technology, and knowledge-based services. Lowering the cost of doing business through cheaper power, efficient transport, and access to affordable credit will help attract investment and encourage local entrepreneurship.

Infrastructure development remains at the heart of the agenda. The manifesto highlights key projects such as completing the Standard Gauge Railway, reviving the Meter Gauge Railway, and building a refined-products pipeline to reduce fuel transport costs and road congestion. Urban areas, especially the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, are set for modern infrastructure upgrades and affordable housing to support orderly and productive city growth.

Job creation and skills development are also top priorities. The NRM plans to address youth unemployment through vocational training, industrial parks, and export zones that generate decent jobs and reduce dependence on imports. Creative industries, sports, and the arts will be supported as serious contributors to the economy, not just as pastimes.

Governance and accountability reforms are being renewed with a strong focus on fighting corruption. The manifesto emphasizes the need to protect public resources and raise more domestic revenue so that national priorities can be financed sustainably. Trade is another area of attention, with efforts to deepen Uganda’s participation in regional blocs such as the EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA by removing barriers that limit access to larger markets.

Social services remain a cornerstone of the plan. The NRM pledges to improve education and health systems by ensuring quality and accountability. It also promises to eliminate illegal charges in UPE and USE schools, as well as absenteeism and theft in health facilities. Affirmative programs will continue to support women, youth, and other vulnerable groups so that opportunity reaches every part of society.

Environmental protection cuts across the entire manifesto. The government recognizes that climate change and environmental degradation threaten livelihoods and development. The next phase promises stronger measures to conserve forests, restore wetlands, and promote sustainable practices that make the economy more resilient to climate shocks.

In summary, the NRM’s new manifesto is a blueprint for continuity and transformation. It seeks to move households into the money economy, fix land issues, add value before export, modernize agriculture, expand infrastructure, create jobs, fight corruption, grow domestic revenue, and safeguard the environment. It is a plan to take Uganda from where it stands today to a more modern, inclusive, and competitive future.