By Our Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday used his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to make a political appeal to Ugandans, particularly in opposition-dominated regions, to rethink their voting patterns ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Museveni, 81, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh elective term in office. In the 2021 elections, his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party suffered heavy losses in its traditional stronghold of Buganda, with many constituencies shifting allegiance to the newly formed National Unity Platform (NUP) led by pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
In an uncharacteristically restrained speech at Kololo Independence Grounds, Museveni stuck mostly to his prepared remarks but still made overtures to voters in districts that have recently turned against him. While listing ongoing and upcoming road infrastructure projects, the President urged residents of Mityana, Kassanda, and Nakaseke to “refocus their vote” and return support to the NRM.
Speaking in Luganda, Museveni appealed: “The people of Mityana, please refocus your vote. Those men you have always brought do nothing.” He continued with direct appeals to Kassanda—whose top leaders are from NUP—and to Nakaseke, home to outspoken opposition MP Paul Lutamaguzi.
“My people of Kassanda, prepare the vote. My people of Nakaseke, where that man (Lutamaguzi) is, prepare the vote. Let those men go and do other things,” he said.
Museveni highlighted road projects such as the 14km in Mityana Municipality and the 41km Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka road in Nakaseke, as well as the planned tarmacking of the Myanzi-Kassanda-Kiboga road in the upcoming financial year. He framed these developments as evidence of NRM’s continued delivery and asked voters to respond with support at the ballot.
The President also addressed a wide range of national issues, including infrastructure, the economy, health, education, agriculture, wealth creation, oil and gas, and technological innovation. The event was attended by high-ranking dignitaries, including visiting speakers and presiding officers from African parliaments.
State of the Economy
Museveni reaffirmed his claim that Uganda has achieved middle-income status, citing recent data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which ranked Uganda as the 7th fastest-growing economy globally.
“Uganda is now irreversibly a middle-income country with a GDP per capita of $1,263. It is number 7 among the fastest-growing countries in the world,” Museveni said, adding that the economy is growing at 6.3% annually and is projected to reach 7% by 2025/26—potentially accelerating into double digits with the start of oil production.
He launched the fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which aims to grow Uganda’s economy to $500 billion by 2040, focusing on agro-industrialization, mineral development (including oil and gas), tourism, and innovation.
Museveni said the economy is expected to reach UGX 224.9 trillion by the end of June 2025. He credited the growth to peace and security, political and economic resilience, rising exports, low inflation, foreign direct investment, domestic revenue mobilization, and economic diversification.
Health Sector
On healthcare, Museveni reported expanded access to medical services, noting that most districts now have at least a Health Centre III. He highlighted domestic pharmaceutical advancements at the Namanve industrial park, which produces gloves, syringes, and drugs like magnesium sulfate and paracetamol.
Next financial year, the government plans to establish specialized treatment centers for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Education
Museveni praised the achievements of universal primary and secondary education. He also emphasized ongoing curriculum reforms toward skills-based learning.
As of now, Uganda has:
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12,550 government-aided primary schools
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1,416 secondary schools
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189 technical and vocational institutions
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12 public universities
He noted that 161 out of the planned 259 seed secondary schools have been completed.
Agriculture and Production
In the agriculture sector, Museveni reported growth in key exports:
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Milk production rose to 5.4 billion liters in 2024, with exports increasing from $28.7 million in 2014/15 to $285.4 million in 2024.
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Fish exports rose from $147.7 million in 2020/21 to $152.8 million in 2023/24 due to intensified efforts against illegal fishing.
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Coffee production grew from 7.8 million bags in 2022/23 to 8.2 million in 2023/24, fetching $1.14 billion.
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Maize output increased from 3.4 million metric tons in 2018 to 5 million in 2024, boosting export earnings from $63.5 million to $195.3 million over the same period.
Government plans for next year include investment in agro-processing, quality inputs, and irrigation infrastructure. NACCRI has been allocated UGX 30 billion for research into climate-resilient and disease-resistant coffee varieties.
Wealth Creation: PDM
Museveni hailed the progress of the Parish Development Model (PDM), now in its third year, with UGX 3.3 trillion expected to be invested by the end of FY 2024/25.
“I have interacted with beneficiaries in regions like Kisoro, where some earned UGX 25 million from onions in two years using UGX 1 million in seed capital,” he said.
Oil, Gas, and Minerals
The President highlighted ongoing oil and gas developments as a major economic transformation driver. These include:
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Near-completion of Kabalega International Airport
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700km of oil roads
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Continued construction of the crude oil pipeline to Port Tanga, Tanzania
Museveni also reiterated Uganda’s ban on raw mineral exports, emphasizing value addition and local job creation.
Electricity
Despite growing frustration among MPs and constituents over unpowered rural electrification lines, Museveni focused on power generation achievements.
From one dam in 1986 generating 150 megawatts, Uganda now has four large hydro dams producing 1,163.2 MW, with smaller plants contributing another 888.8 MW. The government plans to expand total capacity to 12,074 MW.
“Given the growing demand, especially from manufacturers, this capacity will be exhausted in about five years. We must invest now to avoid blackouts and disruptions to industry,” he warned.
Science and Innovation
Museveni praised recent technological advancements, showcasing videos of:
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The Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja (annual capacity: 2,500 vehicles)
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DEI Biopharma’s vaccine research, with over 100 patents filed in the U.S.
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The banana industrialization initiative in Bushenyi, processing 140 metric tons of matooke daily
Legislative Agenda
Parliament Speaker Anita Among lauded the legislative progress made during the current session, noting 75 sittings and 35 bills passed—including reforms to pensions and rationalization of government agencies.
She reassured the President that Parliament would prioritize key government business and legislative matters even as the country enters an election year.