By Otim Nape
As Uganda gears up for the high-stakes 2026 Presidential Elections, a new wave of economic ambition is sweeping across the nation. The National Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), General Caleb Akandwanaho better known as Salim Saleh has launched a transformative initiative poised to reshape the economic future of the greater Masaka region and the country as a whole.
At the core of this initiative is a comprehensive strategy to secure large tracts of land in key districts such as Sembabule, Masaka, and Kyotera. Plans are underway to develop an industrial hub in these areas, aiming to revive industries that had long been forgotten.
This vision is part of a broader national effort to reclaim economic sectors that had once thrived but were left to decay, particularly the cooperatives sector, which had historically been the backbone of Uganda’s economy.
Masaka, traditionally known for its strong opposition presence, is currently dominated by the National Unity Platform (NUP), the leading opposition party in the region but these gains; there is a reflection of change.
In a message delivered by Major General John Mateka, a representative of General Saleh, the government made it clear that OWC was taking decisive steps to restore Masaka’s industrial base.
Saleh emphasized that the time for action had arrived and that the region’s industrial revival was not just an aspiration but an urgent necessity.
The goal, he stated, was to transform Masaka into Uganda’s economic heart. He highlighted the region’s strategic importance as a potential central hub for industrial activity, revitalizing sectors that had stagnated for years.
In tandem with this initiative, the launch of the Greater Masaka and Midwestern Business Pioneers Network added another layer to Uganda’s economic vision.
This platform, which unites over 50,000 traders, entrepreneurs, and local business owners, serves as a collective force working to shape the country’s economic future.
The network’s core mission is to shift the region from subsistence farming to a model of commercial agriculture, focusing on boosting coffee production, enhancing food crop storage, and increasing exports.
Leaders of the network passionately discussed their commitment to disrupting the traditional agricultural system, which they argued had been stifled by middlemen exploiting local farmers.
They stressed the importance of eliminating these intermediaries, whose practices, they claimed, drained profits from local producers.
The network’s ambitious agenda includes introducing agro-industrial projects that will not only transform coffee processing and boost Uganda’s export capacity but also equip farmers with the tools needed to grow their businesses and achieve middle-income status.
This transformation, they argued, was not merely about agriculture; it was about empowering communities and opening new global markets for Uganda’s agricultural products.
State-of-the-art processing plants and food storage facilities would ensure farmers retain more value from their crops, moving away from outdated systems that had kept them in cycles of poverty.
The OWC’s vision extends beyond agriculture. Part of the initiative includes creating a massive industrial hub in Masaka, Kyotera, and surrounding districts, which will serve as a focal point for both regional and international trade.
This industrial hub is seen as vital to Uganda’s strategy for competing globally, not only driving local economic growth but also enhancing Uganda’s standing within East Africa and the global market.
In this broader plan, the OWC has proposed the construction of regional border markets and recreational centers. These facilities would not only facilitate trade but also serve as community hubs, fostering both economic activity and social well-being.
One such center is being planned in Mutukula, located in Kyotera District, which is set to become a major international trade hub connecting Uganda to neighboring countries and opening trade routes to East Africa and beyond.
With the 2026 elections looming, these economic initiatives are also seen as a political strategy to rally support for the ruling government.
Robert Rwakandane, the Director of Political Mobilization at State House, used the occasion to encourage Uganda’s business community to back the government’s economic policies. Addressing traders and business owners, he stressed the importance of protecting the progress Uganda had made under the current administration.
Rwakandane underscored that the government’s vision for economic development wasn’t just about current prosperity but also about ensuring long-term stability and growth.
He called on all Ugandans to recognize the importance of supporting government policies, particularly as the country approaches the 2026 elections.
Rwakandane emphasized that the OWC’s programs were already producing tangible results and urged citizens to back the government’s efforts as a means of securing the country’s future.
As the OWC’s vision unfolds, Uganda stands on the brink of what could be a historic economic transformation. The industrial hubs, agricultural reforms, and infrastructure projects now in motion could redefine the country’s future for generations.
However, with the political climate shifting as the elections approach, the real test will be whether the government’s bold economic plans can deliver on their promises and resonate with voters.
The coming years will be crucial in determining whether Uganda capitalizes on this moment and emerges as an economic powerhouse in the region or remains trapped in cycles of underdevelopment.
