By Swift Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has delivered a wide-ranging State of the Nation Address at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, outlining Uganda’s economic priorities for the new parliamentary term while issuing a strong warning against corruption and inefficiency in public service.
Addressing members of the newly inaugurated Parliament of Uganda, Museveni said his administration will remain firmly guided by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) 2026–2031 Manifesto, with a renewed focus on socio-economic transformation through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and expansion of the services sector.
The President emphasized that Uganda’s economic foundation is now strong enough to support accelerated growth, urging lawmakers to align national budgets with grassroots wealth creation programs. He highlighted ongoing infrastructure investments, including the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway under the East African Standard Gauge Railway corridor, as a critical driver of regional trade within the East African Community.
Museveni also pointed to new legislative developments, including the recently enacted Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, which he said is intended to safeguard Uganda’s independent economic trajectory while maintaining openness to foreign investment.
A major highlight of the address was Uganda’s dairy sector, which the President described as a flagship example of rural transformation. He noted that milk production has grown from 200 million litres annually in 1986 to 5.4 billion litres today, driven by sustained government interventions and farmer mobilisation.
Museveni said the expansion has significantly reduced import dependency, saving the country an estimated US$1.56 billion in import costs while generating about US$285 million in dairy exports annually. He also revealed that Uganda now has around 160 milk processing factories, marking a major shift from decades of reliance on imported dairy products.
He further argued that Uganda has the potential to compete with leading global dairy producers if farmers adopt more modern practices such as indoor feeding systems, improved pasture development, and advanced herd management.
Turning to governance, Museveni issued a stern warning to public officials, condemning what he described as corruption, inefficiency, and an emerging culture of entitlement within parts of the public service.
He cautioned that his newly appointed cabinet would prioritise strict accountability and faster service delivery, urging leaders to focus on performance rather than personal gain and rewarding themselves unneccessary allowances.
Recalling his early years, Museveni criticized demands for excessive facilitation among local government officials, arguing that public servants should embrace modesty and self-reliance.
“I used to ride a bicycle from Kazo to Rwakitura. Today, you hear a Muluka Chief demanding a motorcycle. For what? Let them ride bicycles,” he said, warning against what he called a “culture of parasitism and entitlement.”
The address officially opened the first session of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, setting a firm tone for the legislative agenda ahead. Museveni urged lawmakers to support patriotism training initiatives aimed at strengthening civic responsibility and safeguarding national socio-economic gains.
He concluded by calling for unity between government and citizens in driving Uganda’s transformation agenda, stressing that sustained discipline, productivity, and policy consistency will determine the country’s future economic trajectory.
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