President 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) rule and state-led 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 January 26, 2026, Museveni said Uganda’s economic transformation had evolved steadily from post-war recovery to diversification, value addition, and the gradual emergence of a knowledge-based economy.
The celebrations, held under the theme “Tribute to the Patriots who ushered in a fundamental change,” came just days after Museveni secured another term in office in the recently concluded presidential election, in which he was declared winner with 71 percent of the vote.
In his address, Museveni 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 who participated, and the NRM members who supported the party and its flag bearers,” he said.
While describing the election outcome as a major political victory, Museveni expressed concern over what he termed low voter turnout among NRM supporters.
Although he received about eight million votes, Museveni said internal party data suggested that many eligible supporters did not participate.
“We are celebrating a big victory in politics. I got eight million votes, but ten million of my supporters did not turn up to vote,” he said, citing challenges encountered during party registration and verification of the national voters’ register.
According to Museveni, the NRM had registered about 21 million supporters, 18 million of whom were ready to vote. However, only eight million initially appeared on the Electoral Commission register. Although the party later ensured that at least 14 million supporters were registered, many still failed to cast their ballots.
“But I got eight million votes. So where are the rest?” he asked.
Museveni 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 that not all my supporters turned up. If they had, there would be no opposition in Uganda,” he said.
He alleged that some NRM supporters were threatened and attacked during the campaign period, accusing law enforcement agencies of failing to respond decisively in some cases.
Turning to the economy, Museveni said Uganda was currently growing at about seven percent annually and projected faster growth once oil production begins.
“The economy is moving very fast. It is growing at seven percent, and with oil we shall move into double-digit growth. This year, oil will start flowing,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that a significant segment of the population remained trapped in subsistence production.
“These are the people who are still in poverty,” he said, tracing the challenge to colonial-era economic structures that excluded most Africans from the money economy.
At independence in 1962, Museveni said only about nine percent of Ugandans were involved in the money economy. By 2013, the figure had risen to 32 percent, prompting the government to introduce Operation Wealth Creation, under which agricultural inputs were distributed nationwide.
By 2019, he said, 61 percent of Ugandans were participating in the money economy, while 39 percent remained in subsistence production.
Concerns over elite capture of government programmes, which Museveni referred to as “beegabira bokka,” led to the introduction of the Parish Development Model (PDM), designed to channel funds directly to communities.
According to Museveni, participation in the money economy has now risen to 70 percent, leaving about 30 percent still outside.
“We do not want a country where 70 percent are rich and 30 percent are poor,” he said, warning against misuse of PDM funds.
He cited cases where parish officials and committees diverted resources for personal gain, contrary to programme guidelines.
“That is not how PDM is supposed to work. It requires a general meeting of the whole parish, with all adults participating and electing a committee,” he said.
Museveni said the government would amend PDM guidelines, increase funding—especially in urban areas—and enforce stricter accountability.
He warned that officials who violate PDM rules would be arrested, noting that several parish chiefs had already been detained following complaints from residents.
Beyond PDM, Museveni said the government would continue supporting groups such as boda boda riders, urban youth, unemployed graduates, cultural and religious leaders, and political leaders at parish level to expand wealth creation.
“This will be our number one emphasis,” he said.
He added that as household incomes improve, government investment in education and health would intensify, particularly in curative healthcare, while preventive programmes such as immunisation would continue. Infrastructure development, especially maintenance of rural roads, would also remain a priority.
On governance, Museveni said the fight against corruption would extend to the judiciary, praising the Chief Justice for taking a firm stance.
“We do not want corruption in the courts,” he said.
Museveni dismissed claims by some opposition figures and media outlets that Uganda had not changed over the last four decades, outlining what he described as five phases of economic recovery and transformation since 1986.
These include post-conflict stabilisation, expansion of the colonial economy, diversification and value addition, and the current transition towards a knowledge-based economy.
He highlighted commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and information and communication technology as key pillars of the modern economy, citing industrial parks and increased local production.
“When you go to supermarkets today, about 65 percent of the products are made in Uganda. In the past, almost everything was imported,” he said.
Museveni also reflected on Uganda’s history, including the 1972 expulsion of Asians, noting that while only a few thousand properties were owned at the time, millions of Ugandans now own property.
On industrialisation, he cited progress on the Kiira Motors project, noting that locally assembled vehicles had recently completed a return journey to South Africa.
At the ceremony, several Ugandans were awarded national medals in recognition of their contributions to the liberation struggle and national development.
January 26 marks the day in 1986 when National Resistance Army fighters captured Kampala, ending the rule of the military junta led by the late Tito Okello Lutwa. Museveni, who led the NRA, was subsequently sworn in as Uganda’s ninth president.
The event was attended by senior government officials, legislators, service chiefs, diplomats, religious and cultural leaders, and former national leaders.
