By BM
President Yoweri Museveni, chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), laid out a compelling vision for Uganda’s future during the launch of the party’s manifesto at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
His message was clear: real leadership means focusing on the livelihoods of every citizen and unlocking the untapped potential within Uganda’s people and land.
Reflecting on Uganda’s past, Museveni drew a powerful comparison to the Karamajong people of the 1960s, who, like many today, once lived in hardship and uncertainty.
Through focused leadership and empowering communities to settle and engage in income-generating activities, these groups transformed their lives. “Now you see how they are,” he said, pointing to improved living standards, including modern homes and university-educated youths.
The president emphasized that leadership is not about enriching a few elites but ensuring that every villager benefits economically.
He illustrated this through the inspiring story of Ijara from Serere, a former taxi driver who, by embracing agricultural enterprise, now runs Teifa Farm, generating over one billion shillings annually through dairy, poultry, and value addition activities.
Ijara’s success is a testament to the power of shifting focus from survival to wealth creation.
Museveni underscored the essential link between wealth and jobs, explaining that true employment opportunities arise from private sector growth fueled by wealth creation.
While public service offers limited positions, it is the private sector especially agriculture and manufacturing that holds the key to millions of jobs.
The factories established across the country now employ 1.2 million Ugandans, surpassing public service jobs which stand at 480,000.
The president introduced further examples of entrepreneurship driving change.
Fred Byamukama, the Minister of State for Transport and a Member of Parliament from Kakumiro district, has developed a four-acre model farm producing pineapples, coffee, poultry, and dairy products, employing 26 people.
Similarly, Richard Nyakana from Rwengaju village in Kabarole district runs a productive one-acre farm with poultry and dairy operations, providing jobs for 15 workers.
Museveni urged Ugandans to imagine the impact if millions of acres of arable land were utilized effectively as these leaders has done.
His calculations show that fully harnessing just seven million acres could create up to 105 million jobs—a revolutionary prospect for a nation battling unemployment and poverty.
Rejecting the idea of Ugandans seeking work abroad, Museveni asserted that Africa should be the destination for labor, not the other way around.
He emphasized that peace, security, development, wealth creation, and jobs form the foundation of real progress and must guide leadership priorities.
Finally, the president stressed the importance of service delivery, including healthcare and security, as critical components to uplift Ugandans’ quality of life.
President Museveni’s 2026–2031 manifesto is more than a political document; it is a blueprint to transform Uganda by empowering every citizen to generate income, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to national prosperity.
It challenges leaders and citizens alike to focus on real issues, wealth creation and job opportunities that will shape Uganda’s future for generations to come.
