President Museveni has urged Ugandans to embrace wealth creation and hard work, warning that the country can no longer afford complacency as he begins his seventh term in office.
Speaking shortly after being sworn in at Kololo Independence Grounds on Tuesday, Museveni said the new term should be regarded as a period of action and productivity for all Ugandans.
The President said that since the advent of the NRM government in 1986, many Ugandan families that embraced his message have managed to escape poverty. He pointed to the rapid real-estate development along the Kampala-Entebbe Road corridor as evidence of growing household wealth among Ugandans.
He said the NRM started by rejecting sectarian politics based on tribe and religion, and this he said has united the country, adding onto the peace ushered in. The President highlighted infrastructure development as one of the NRM government’s major achievements, citing roads, electricity, airports, schools, and health centres as key milestones achieved over the last four decades.
However, he stressed that infrastructure alone cannot transform livelihoods without wealth creation at the household level. He encouraged Ugandans to invest in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT, describing the sectors as the foundation for wealth creation and job generation.
Museveni also underscored the importance of service delivery, saying government remains responsible for providing essential services such as security and healthcare.On regional integration, the President said markets are critical for economic growth and wealth creation, calling for greater African unity to expand trade opportunities.
The event was also graced by several heads of states including Félix Tshisekedi (DRC), Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan), Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia), and Taye Atske Selassie (Ethiopia). The others are SamiaSuluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva (Prime Minister of Rwanda) andFaure EssozimnaGnassingbé who is the President of Togo.
In Kasese, the swearing in of president Museveni for the seventh term was celebrated through a procession through Kasese town led by ruling party enthusiasts.
They procession involved moving along the streets of Kasese town as a sign of appreciating the achievements especially improved infrastructure.
The NRM leadersmade passionate calls on Mr. Museveni to place natives of Kasese into higher government positions including cabinet and statutory entities.
Mr. Robert Mitse, the NRM’s Administrative Secretary who led the team of jubilant, noted that Kasese marked history in giving many votes to the newly sworn NRM candidate during the recent elections and thus there is need to reward the people of Kasese for their political shift from the opposition to the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM.
Mitse also highlighted the critical need to reinstateKilembe Mines Limited and also establish more water irrigation schemes to support farming across the district.
Nyakabingo sub-county NRM Chairperson, Mr. Asanasio Bisusi, observed that the coverage of UPE and USE schools falls short of meeting the policy of government on education adding that the new political term should be used to fill the gap caused by the lack of public primary schools in some parishes and the lack of public secondary schools in some sub-counties.
A section of women who participated in the celebrations appreciated the freedom of expression which they claim has been guaranteed by the ruling government.
ENDS