President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday night held a wide-ranging interaction with journalists from the Lango sub-region at Baralegi State Lodge, as he advanced his campaign trail toward the West Nile sub-region.
The meeting delved into national and regional concerns — from the NRM’s record in governance and development to Uganda’s economic trajectory, infrastructure, and political leadership.
President Museveni reiterated that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) remains the only political organization with a consistent track record of delivering peace, stability, and transformation. He underscored the restoration of security — particularly the end of cattle rustling in Northern Uganda — as one of the Movement’s defining achievements.
Highlighting key milestones, Museveni pointed to the expansion of electricity, telecommunications, and education as pillars of Uganda’s steady progress. He emphasized that meaningful job creation must be built on a foundation of wealth creation.
“You cannot focus on jobs before building a strong economic base,” the President said.
He further stressed the importance of regional and international trade, noting that Uganda’s internal market alone is insufficient for sustained growth. “We must look beyond our borders,” Museveni said, crediting NRM’s clear ideology for the country’s consistent development.
Museveni revealed that Uganda has attained middle-income status, projecting the national GDP to reach USD 66 billion by June 2026. He said the next stage of transformation will target a USD 500 billion economy within five years through intensified investment in agriculture, manufacturing, services, ICT, and small-scale enterprises.
“We are now focusing on wealth creation through productive sectors that can generate value and employment,” he stated.
The President also underscored the government’s commitment to regional integration, saying Uganda will deepen economic ties within Africa and accelerate the East African Federation to promote shared prosperity.
Addressing local issues, Museveni identified subsistence farming and weak market-oriented planning as major barriers to progress in Lango. He advised households to shift from farming solely for consumption to farming for income.
“People should work for both food and money,” he urged, recommending the four-acre model — one acre each for coffee, fruits, pasture, and food crops, complemented by backyard poultry or piggery, and fish farming where suitable.
He cautioned farmers against halting production due to price fluctuations, emphasizing that global demand, especially for coffee, remains strong.
On governance and political issues, Museveni clarified that the disqualification of Jimmy Akena was handled lawfully and without political interference. When asked about succession, he affirmed that Uganda’s leadership transition is guided by the Constitution.
“With eight presidential candidates in the race, whoever wins democratically will become president,” he said.
Touching on infrastructure, Museveni said the Ministry of Works and Transport is managing nationwide road maintenance, with resources allocated based on strategic priorities.
He also announced plans to replenish water bodies with indigenous fish species and regulate fishing activities to ensure sustainability.
“We must rely on and support local fish farmers,” he noted, “while managing fishing responsibly to protect our lakes.”
Overall, the President’s engagement with journalists emphasized continuity, wealth creation, and long-term national planning as the anchors of Uganda’s transformation agenda.
