By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said that 70 percent of Ugandans are now participating in the money economy, a milestone he attributed to four decades of National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership and sustained government wealth creation programmes aimed at moving households out of subsistence production.
Speaking at the 40th Liberation Day celebrations held at Kololo National Ceremonial Grounds on Monday, President Museveni said Uganda’s economic transformation had advanced steadily from post-war recovery to diversification, value addition, and the gradual transition into a knowledge-based economy.
The celebrations, held under the theme “Tribute to the Patriots Who Ushered in a Fundamental Change,” came days after President Museveni secured another term in office in the recently concluded presidential elections, where he was declared winner with 71 percent of the vote.
In his address, the President thanked God and Ugandans for the successful completion of the electoral process.
“I thank God for having seen us through this big exercise of elections. I also salute all Ugandans for participating in the elections and thank NRM members for supporting the party and its flag bearers,” he said.
While describing the election outcome as a major political victory, President Museveni expressed concern over what he termed as low voter turnout among NRM supporters.
According to the President, although he received about eight million votes, party records indicated that many eligible NRM supporters did not turn up to vote.
“We are celebrating a big victory in politics. I got eight million votes, but about ten million of our supporters did not vote,” he said.
President Museveni said that while the NRM had registered about 21 million supporters, with 18 million expected to vote, only eight million initially appeared on the Electoral Commission register. Although party mobilisation efforts later increased the figure to about 14 million registered supporters, many still failed to cast their ballots.
“But I got eight million votes. So where are the rest of the votes? That means some of our people did not turn up,” he said.
The President attributed the low turnout to intimidation by opposition supporters and indiscipline within sections of the NRM leadership.
“I hear the opposition wasting time talking nonsense. They are lucky because not all my supporters turned up. If they had all turned up, there would be no opposition in Uganda,” he said.
He alleged that some NRM supporters were threatened and attacked during the campaign period, while law enforcement agencies failed to act decisively.
“People were threatening our supporters and blaming them for supporting the NRM. Why would the police hear this and do nothing?” he asked.
President Museveni also criticised selfishness and indiscipline among some party leaders, which he said discouraged citizens from exercising their civic rights.
Turning to the economy, President Museveni said Uganda was currently growing at about seven percent annually and projected even faster growth once oil production begins.
“The economy is moving very fast. We are growing at seven percent, and with oil, we shall go into double-digit growth. This year, your oil will start flowing,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that a significant portion of the population remains trapped in subsistence production.
“These are the people still in poverty,” he said, attributing the challenge to colonial-era economic structures that excluded the majority from the money economy.
At independence in 1962, he noted, only about nine percent of Ugandans were engaged in the money economy. Progress remained slow until the introduction of targeted wealth creation programmes.
By 2013, only 32 percent of households were involved in the money economy, prompting the launch of Operation Wealth Creation, under which the Uganda People’s Defence Forces distributed agricultural inputs nationwide.
“When we checked in 2019, 61 percent were in the money economy, while 39 percent were still subsistence producers,” he said.
Concerns over elite capture of government programmes later led to the introduction of the Parish Development Model, which channels funds directly to communities.
According to President Museveni, the proportion of Ugandans in the money economy has now risen to 70 percent.
“We do not want a country where 70 percent are rich and 30 percent remain poor,” he said, warning against misuse of PDM funds.
He cited cases where parish officials and committee members diverted funds, contrary to programme guidelines.
“That is not how PDM should work. It requires a general parish meeting of all adults to elect committees,” he said.
President Museveni said PDM guidelines would be amended, funding increased, especially in urban areas, and accountability strictly enforced.
“We may have to put 300 or 400 million shillings per parish in towns because populations are larger,” he said, adding that rural households could be fully covered within three years if funds are properly utilised.
He warned that parish chiefs who violate PDM rules would be arrested, noting that officials in Buwambo, Maracha, and Iganga had already been apprehended.
Beyond PDM, the President said government support would continue for boda boda riders, ghetto youth, cultural and religious leaders, unemployed graduates, and parish-level political leaders.
“This will be emphasis number one,” he said.
He added that once household incomes improve, the government would intensify investment in education and health, particularly curative health services, while maintaining strong preventive programmes such as immunisation.
Infrastructure development, especially maintenance of rural roads, will also remain a priority.
“We do not want any unrepaired roads, whether tarmac or marram,” he said.
On governance, President Museveni said the fight against corruption would extend to the judiciary, praising Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija for taking a firm stance.
“We do not want corruption in the courts,” he said.
The President also dismissed claims that Uganda has not changed over the last 40 years, citing five phases of economic recovery and transformation since 1986.
These include post-war recovery, expansion of the colonial economy, diversification and value addition, and the current transition into a knowledge-based economy.
He highlighted four key sectors defining Uganda’s modern economy: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and information and communication technology.
President Museveni noted that about 65 percent of products currently sold in supermarkets are locally produced, compared to near-total reliance on imports in the past.
On industrialisation, he cited progress at Kiira Motors Corporation, where locally assembled vehicles recently completed a return journey to South Africa.
The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda, congratulated President Museveni on his re-election, describing the NRM’s 40-year journey as transformative.
“Today’s commemoration reflects four decades that have reshaped our nation’s destiny,” she said.
During the ceremony, national medals were awarded to 33 distinguished Ugandans in recognition of their contribution to the liberation struggle and national development.
January 26 marks the day in 1986 when National Resistance Army fighters captured Kampala, ending the UNLA junta led by the late Gen Tito Okello Lutwa. President Museveni was subsequently sworn in as Uganda’s ninth President.
