In a powerful and reflective State of the Nation Address delivered at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, President Yoweri Museveni reminded the country that true leadership is born from sacrifice and vision, not from the size of a paycheck. Looking back at the early years of the liberation struggle in the 1960s and 70s, the President shared how he and his fellow activists traversed the rugged countryside on bicycles and by foot. Their goal was not to collect allowances, but to spark an intellectual and economic revolution among the rural population. He issued a stern challenge to modern officials, arguing that real leaders do not need financial incentives to help their communities escape the grip of poverty.
The President pointed to the dramatic transformation of the cattle corridor as a prime example of what is possible when people embrace change. By persuading nomadic communities to adopt settled, commercial dairy farming, Uganda has seen a breathtaking surge in production. Milk output has skyrocketed from a mere 200 million liters in 1986 to a staggering 5.4 billion liters today. This shift has not only made Uganda a dominant exporter in the region but also serves as a living blueprint for how commercial agriculture, supported by smart government planning, can eliminate household poverty across the nation.
Central to Museveni’s vision for the future is his No More Sleep campaign. This is more than just a slogan; it is a call to arms against the stagnation caused by corruption, laziness, and ineffective leadership. The President was clear that there is no room for leaders who fail to deliver services or who prioritize their own comfort over the development of the people. He emphasized that the government is doubling down on grassroots initiatives like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, which have already touched the lives of nearly 3.7 million households. By injecting capital directly into local wards and parishes, the government is ensuring that every Ugandan has the tools to join the modern money economy.
The economic data tells a story of incredible resilience and growth. Since 1986, Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product has surged from 3.9 billion dollars to over 69 billion dollars. This expansion has allowed the nation to climb into the ranks of lower middle-income countries, while the percentage of households living in poverty has plummeted from 56.4 percent in 1992 to just over 16 percent today. With economic growth projected to hit a massive 10 percent in the next financial year, the President expects the economy to reach the 80 billion dollar mark even before the first drop of commercial oil is produced.
None of this progress would be possible without a foundation of peace. The President credited the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and other security agencies for providing the stability required for both domestic and foreign investment to thrive. Looking ahead, the government is prioritizing massive infrastructure projects in roads, railways, and electricity to lower the cost of doing business. Furthermore, a new focus on solar-powered irrigation and modern farming techniques aims to shield farmers from the unpredictability of climate change.
President Museveni concluded with an inspiring call for national unity and hard work. He urged every leader to step up their efforts in mobilizing their communities, insisting that the next chapter of Uganda’s story depends on accountability and the active participation of every citizen. By moving away from subsistence living and embracing commercial productivity, Uganda is well on its way to becoming an unstoppable economic force, ensuring a better life for generations to come.