PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES EAST AFRICA TO EMBRACE INTEGRATION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged East African countries to embrace integration as the surest path to prosperity, security and transformation. Speaking at the opening of the 1st Regional Ministerial Conference on the East African Community Common Higher Education Area (EACCHEA) at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, today, the President outlined five reasons why integration is essential — prosperity, socio-economic transformation, Pan-Africanism, democracy, and strategic security. He also emphasized that prosperity can only be achieved if individuals, families, and companies produce goods or services sustainably and sell them in wider markets. “The only way to achieve prosperity is when each family, company, or individual is involved in producing a good or a service with ekibaaro (calculation). If you do that sustainably and sell it, you will get money and solve your problems,” the President said. He noted that unity is necessary to expand markets, overcome the divisive politics of identity, and build patriotism, which he described as the first principle of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The President stressed that education must support socio-economic transformation by equipping citizens to benefit from regional markets. He added that democracy and strategic security are also pillars of integration, noting that Uganda’s progress as a lower middle-income country would not be sustainable without regional stability. “With all that is happening all over the world, if you are weak you cannot survive. Apart from economic integration for the whole of Africa, where possible there should also be political integration,” he said. The President also called for reforms in the education sector, particularly resolving curriculum and syllabus issues, to ensure that better learning supports development. On her part, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni revealed that a little over eight years ago in May 2017, the East African Community was declared a Common Higher Education Area, however, this meeting marks the first Regional Ministerial Conference for Higher Education to review the journey they have walked since inception of the Common Higher Education Area. “I believe that the review of our Common Higher Education Area during this Conference shall also help us answer questions such as: First, the extent to which as EAC partner states we have made our Common Higher Education Area not only competitive as an attraction for both students and academic faculty, but the private sector too as true partners of development,” she said. “Second, the extent to which the Common Higher Education Area has become a catalyst for the various efforts by the respective partner states to bring about socio-economic transformation of their people.” Maama Janet noted that as Ministers responsible for Education in the region, they do not see themselves as only policymakers, but stewards of a shared vision of socio-economic transformation of their people. She said they see Higher Education both as an enabler as well as a critical building block in this house they call the East African Community. “Relatedly, the people for whom we are here to serve in our respective capacities perceive the relevance of the Common Higher Education Area from their own perspective. The young people want to witness mobility of talent and mutual recognition of qualifications amongst the EAC partner States,” she said. “The private sector perceives the relevance of a Common Higher Education Area as being responsive to industry and job market by way of producing inventions and innovative services and products that will add value to the consumer’s experience.” Maama Janet further said the governments will appreciate the relevance of a Common Higher Education Area when the sub-sector becomes a source of pragmatic policy solutions to the pressing problems in society aspiring for socio-economic transformation. This, she said, implies that their aspiration for an integrated Higher Education Area is purposeful because it does not seek to fulfill the self-interests of Higher Education per se, but the greater good of the more than 300 million people in the East African Community. “Ultimately, this strengthens the case for the elimination of all barriers to the realization of a truly integrated and common Higher Education Area in which the sub-sector is perceived by both the private sector and the State, as a valuable partner to socio-economic transformation – and not merely another area of expenditure,” she urged. “The ever-increasing population of the East African Community presents a valuable asset and market to the Higher Education sub-sector to position itself – as it ought to be, an indispensable driver of socio-economic transformation through responsive research, innovations, inventions, knowledge creation, and policy eco-system that answers our society’s most pressing challenges,” she added. The Minister cited an example where the government of the Republic of Uganda has for the last four years, been implementing a nationwide program called the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying the program seeks to bring into the money-economy those households that have been in a subsistence lifestyle. “PDM has been disbursing funds directly to beneficiaries in those households. Recently, I was moving around with His Excellency the President during his nationwide tours to see what the PDM program is doing. As we moved around, we witnessed varying levels of success and impact of this program. However, some of these subsistence households live within the surroundings of Higher Education Institutions,” she said. “So, I keep asking myself whether there is a way these Higher Education institutions can be of value to the government’s grassroot programs such as PDM? Now, this is the relevance I was referring to earlier. Higher Education needs to transform itself from being perceived as an ivory tower of ideas, to becoming the solution to common socio-economic challenges that households encounter in their day-to-day lives,” she noted. The First Lady explained that Higher Education can be innovative in driving a cottage industry mindset whereby once a student graduates, he or she thinks of what they can do first and foremost from one’s home or household before looking elsewhere. “Many of these developed economies we so admire have propagated this culture of cottage industries to lift communities out of subsistence living and poverty. You can imagine if the estimated 70 percent of the EAC population that lives in rural areas was fired up with a culture of cottage industry – how much socio-economic transformation would that bring our society?” she inquired. “As most of you already know, the challenges that our people face are not unique to a particular partner state, but transcend national borders – and as such demand regional solutions. Can a Common Higher Education Area be the source of such solutions? Therefore, this Ministerial Conference will offer to the Partner States an opportunity to review and consolidate progress in the harmonization of higher education systems across our Partner States for the greater good of our society through socio-economic transformation.” Maama Janet added that the Common Higher Education Area will not only make East Africa more attractive to students from within and outside Africa but will play a pivotal role in positioning the EAC region as a nucleus of excellence, innovation, and competitiveness. “It will strengthen our regional integration by ensuring that our graduates are employable across Partner States and beyond and that our institutions can pool expertise for greater impact,” she stated. “As Uganda, we reaffirm our government’s commitment to supporting the EAC Common Higher Education Area in various ways. We look forward to this Conference laying a strong foundation for the implementation of resolutions that will transform our region’s education landscape for generations to come.” The National Council for Higher Education Executive Director also chairperson of the Forum of CEOs of National Council and commissions for Higher Education in East Africa, Prof. Mary J.N Okwakol described the conference as a landmark moment for the region. “This Conference signals a shared commitment to a higher education setting that is coherent, competitive, and trusted across the region,” Prof. Okwakol said. She underscored the need to harmonize education systems, boost student and labor mobility, strengthen research collaboration, and address quality assurance challenges, while commending President Museveni for his support of science and innovation. The Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, praised President Museveni’s vision and Uganda’s hosting of the event, saying the meeting was a “landmark event” in East Africa’s integration journey. He reaffirmed IUCEA’s commitment to advancing curriculum harmonization, academic mobility, and collaborative research. “The free movement of skilled graduates, enabled by mutual recognition of qualifications and supported by scholarship programs, is not a distant ideal. It is a necessary condition for the success of the EAC Common Market and the broader integration agenda,” he said. Prof. Banyankimbona urged partner states to use the conference not just to celebrate progress but to strengthen institutional mechanisms that will sustain the EACCHEA for generations to come. Representing the EAC Secretary-General, Hon. Andrea Ariik, Deputy Secretary-General of the EAC, described the conference as “historic,” being the first time ministers responsible for higher education have convened specifically on the regionalization agenda. He highlighted key milestones since the 2017 declaration of the EACCHEA, including the East African Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, the regional quality assurance framework, and policies supporting staff and student mobility and credit transfer. “By working together, our higher education institutions can break barriers, harmonize standards, and unleash the full potential of our youth, academics, and researchers,” Hon. Ariik said. While noting these achievements, he pointed to challenges such as underfunding, outdated infrastructure, and staff shortages. He called for urgent investment in digital transformation, sustainable research financing.

2025-09-09

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI MEETS NRM BUGANDA PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last evening met and discussed a wide range of developmental issues with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Buganda Parliamentary Caucus at State House, Entebbe. During the meeting, President Museveni guided the caucus on a number of issues on service delivery and development in Buganda and across the country. “You, the new leaders, need to defend the legitimate interests of the people of Uganda and Buganda because Buganda is the major beneficiary of the NRM revolution and anybody who does not see that is an enemy of Buganda,” he said. The President noted that because of peace brought by the NRM government, a lot of development including good roads, industries, among others have been achieved in Buganda and Uganda in general. President Museveni also thanked NRM MPs from Buganda region for the good work of sensitizing the masses and monitoring government programs. President Museveni therefore tasked the leaders to now put their main focus on the homestead income of Ugandans. “Strategically Buganda is the direct beneficiary of NRM so if all the people get involved in creating wealth, Uganda will be the most developed country in the world.” He further noted that land fragmentation remains one of the biggest challenges facing the region and the country at large. Hon. Migadde Robert Ndugwa, the chairperson of the NRM Buganda Parliamentary group and the MP for Buvuma County presented the group’s Memorandum of Understanding and thanked the President for his exceptional leadership steering Uganda’s development forward. He noted that the group has been moving in the region at constituency level to respond to community concerns and monitor government programs. The deputy Secretary General of the NRM party, Hon. Rose Namayanja thanked President Museveni for his guidance on the different areas of development and service delivery. She thanked the group for the unity and commitment, further asking them to work harder for the people and deliver success for the NRM party in the region.

2025-09-06

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PASSES-OUT 1,372 PATRIOTIC SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today passed out 1,372 secondary school teachers from Greater Mbarara and Ntungamo regions who have been undergoing a patriotism course at Ntare School, Mbarara City. The training which started on 26th August, 2025, ran under the theme: “Transforming Teachers lives through Patriotism”. During the pass-out ceremony, President Museveni congratulated the participants for successfully finishing their course. “I want to thank Hellen Seku and the instructors for training you very well in such a short time,” he said. According to President Museveni, the effort of patriotism which he launched in 2009 is very crucial for the country to know what to do. “It is very dangerous to have citizens, especially educated people who don't know what is required to live a good life. This is why I keep saying management of a society is like medicine where the doctor must make a diagnosis of a patient and therefore prescribe a medicine. Similarly, leaders whatever they are must have a correct diagnosis of a society. If they don't, that society will fail.” President Museveni noted that when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came into power, they took the trouble to know the problems affecting Uganda and how to solve them. They did this by identifying the three historical missions and coming up with the four core principles of the NRM. “The moment you become a wealth creator; you will need the four principles of the NRM. The prosperity of Ankole, Buganda, Acholi and other regions depends a lot on Uganda. That's why we were able to say that you people love Uganda, why? Because you need it for your own prosperity hence patriotism,” he urged. “Patriotism is not emotional; you love because you need it for your own good. If you say you care about Ankole, but you don't care about Uganda, you are not serious because Uganda is the one which helps the Banyankore and other tribes to be prosperous.” President Museveni also underscored the role of Pan-Africanism in promoting external markets. “Once you start producing you will find that the internal market of Uganda is not enough. That's why the NRM says that you people love Uganda but also love East Africa and Africa. That's the second principle, Pan-Africanism. The third principle is socio-economic transformation and then democracy.” At the same event, President Museveni explained why the government took a decision to first pay scientists better at the expense of their counterparts. “We need roads, factories, veterinary doctors, crop scientists, so since we need these very badly, why don't we start by paying scientists a bit better so that they help us to go to another level but when we did that maybe we didn't explain very well some people said all us must get. Now if we try to give all you at a go the little, we have, we shall not be able to go anywhere. What we need now is how to maintain that road, not poetry. It's not that we don't want to pay others well, but we have what we call urgency. That's the logic,” he stated. “I'm glad that now you seem to understand, and we are moving systematically. Arts teachers will also be paid well. Artisan teachers should also be paid like scientists. I will sort that out because artisans are scientists.” Regarding the issue of paying bribes to get the teachers onto the payroll, the President assured them that he will handle the matter. Additionally, President Museveni tasked the teachers to create wealth through the four sectors of the economy which include, commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT. On her part, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni congratulated the participants for successfully completing a life-impacting training. “I believe it will transform our schools and above all restart the lives of the participants, the teachers themselves,” she said. “I must thank Ms. Hellen Seku and the entire National Patriotism Secretariat for the job well done by keeping the fire of patriotism burning in the hearts of our young people and now reaching out to touch the teaching service itself.” The First Lady further informed the President that teachers are a critical asset in the country because they impart the value of patriotism in the minds and hearts of the young people. “The time a teacher spends in the life of a child or young person is valuable in moulding what it means to love one's country. This love for one's country is demonstrated when citizens put the interest of their country before the pursuit of personal interests,” Maama Janet noted. “The spirit of patriotism challenges the citizen to look at themselves as a central contributor to their nation's well-being for the common interest of all as opposed to focusing on the pursuit of personal interests and gains. Therefore, the prosperity of a nation cannot be divorced from the patriotism of its people.” Maama Janet also explained that when service, hard work and unity are passed in the interest of the common good of the people in the nation, such a society is unstoppable in whatever they set themselves to do. “There are several examples of nations that have transformed themselves into socio-economic giants by simply pursuing ambitious goals for the nation in the best interest for the common good.” On the other hand, the First Lady advocated for sacrificial service among the teachers, explaining that, that's how a critical mass of people transform their society. “It is important that we appreciate that the nations that are doing well, were not always doing well. The welfare of the public service workforce was not always that good when they were still in a state of limited resources. However, they did not destroy the little they had, they preserved it and built on it to get to where they are today.” The Commissioner, National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC)-State House, Ms. Hellen Seku informed the President that the Secretariat organised the training for secondary school teachers following requests from a number of teachers who felt that they needed to undergo the training to become change agents to the students and communities around them. “The objectives of the training were; to empower teachers in promoting patriotism through role modelling, discipline and a commitment to national cause, ultimately developing a generation of responsible and loyal citizens,” she said. “And to also develop their abilities to foster harmony and a spirit of hard work for national building and hence wealth creation as well as inculcating values and norms of patriotism among teachers.” Commissioner Seku further lauded President Museveni and Maama Janet for their strategic guidance and leadership in the initiative. The Head teacher of Ntare school and one of the coordinators of the program, Mr. Saul Rwampororo said the teachers were drawn from seven districts and one city including Mbarara City, Mbarara district, Ntungamo, Rwampara, Isingiro, Ibanda, Kiruhura and Kazo. “The participants’ wellbeing during the training was fully sponsored by the National Patriotism Secretariat - State House,” he said. “These participants have had first hand patriotism lectures from high level professionals and have also been trained in standard parade drills by skilled military personnel. I'm sure the quality of patriotism they have acquired is standard.” On behalf of the trainees, Mr. Perez Assimwe, the Chairman Memorandum Committee for Trainees, appreciated the facilitators and instructors that took them through the training session, explaining that the content was broad enough and sustainable for the course theme. “The 1,372 patriotic teachers were so cooperative and responsive to every activity that took place in this training camp,” he said. “Your Excellency, during this training, all the trainees were able to gain knowledge on the need for the East African Integration and Pan-Africanism, patriotism and its core values, political economy, the social systems and man’s role in transformation, financial literacy, Principles of the NRM, among others.” Mr. Asiimwe also thanked President Museveni for giving them an opportunity to be the first group of employees in the region to receive the patriotism training. “Our dear President, we are indebted to you for enhancing science teachers’ salaries and the fruitful engagement you had with teachers of arts in regard to their salary enhancement come 2026- 2027 Financial Year. This is a real indicator that you really care for the bazzukulu.”

2025-09-06

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PLEDGES TO UPLIFT VETERANS FROM POVERTY

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has vowed to intensify efforts to improve the welfare of veterans who fought in Uganda’s liberation struggles, saying that it is unacceptable for those who risked their lives for the country’s freedom to languish in poverty. “It’s not good to have the veterans in poverty. It’s not good at all,” President Museveni told a gathering of veterans drawn from Luwero, Wakiso, Nakasongola, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, and Nakaseke districts. He made the remarks on Wednesday, 3rd September, 2025, while delivering a lecture of opportunity and officially closing the Transformational Leadership Course Intake 07/2025 for veteran cadres at State House, Entebbe, blending reflections on Uganda’s historical liberation journey, the ideological foundation of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), and practical measures to empower ex-servicemen economically. The President emphasized that the sacrifices of the veterans, many of whom took part in the 1981–1986 liberation war, should not be betrayed by a life of deprivation. “The ones who are leaving now are going with better packages, but for those who sacrificed earlier, we must make up for the shortfalls. We shall do this through revolving funds, organized at the zone level,” he added, while encouraging veterans to organize themselves in structured associations and Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) through which the government can channel financial support. “We are giving money to the Kampala ghetto boys. Why can’t we give money to the SACCOs of veterans?” H.E. Museveni noted. President Museveni insisted that veterans must be integrated into the four key sectors of the modern economy—commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT – to ensure sustainable income and prosperity. He stressed that veterans without land should not be left behind. Instead, they could embrace trade, artisanship, or small-scale manufacturing. “If you don’t have land, then your option is to have omwoga—an economic activity that is not based on land. You can do maize milling, tailoring, carpentry, or other trades that generate income,” he said. Reflecting on the early stages of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) launched in 2013, President Museveni revealed that veterans were always intended to be the first beneficiaries. “I told General Saleh to first give seedlings to all the veteran families and those who supported us during the war. Only after that should others benefit. But I later heard some veterans missed out because they lacked land,” the President noted. President Museveni used the same platform to revisit the three historical missions of the NRM, which are anchored in four ideological principles: patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy that shaped Uganda’s liberation struggle, beginning with prosperity for all. He explained that genuine prosperity comes from every individual or family producing goods and services for sale, not from dependency or handouts. To illustrate these principles, the President recounted how his father, Mzee Kaguta, sold cattle in cultural auction markets in Ntungamo to raise his school fees, with support from traders like Walusimbi Mpanga and Bukenya who were not of their tribe. This experience, he said, showed that prosperity relies not only on local communities but also on broader national and regional markets. “I like the story of how I went to school. I was able to go to the school system in the 1950s and 1960s when the school system was for paying. How did I manage? How did Mr. Kaguta manage to pay my school fees? Kaguta had traditional cows, but he had no money. The only way he could get money was from the traders. A trader was coming from Kampala, here called Walusimbi Mpanga. He would come all the way to all those areas in Ntungamo and buy our cows. So that's how Kaguta now converts his cows into money, and he's able to pay my school fees and do a few other things,” he said, adding that the prosperity of the Banyankore and any other tribe depends more on Uganda. Why East African integration matters: The President delved into Uganda’s surplus production challenges, underscoring the role of regional markets. He said Uganda produces 5.3 billion liters of milk annually but consumes only 800 million. The same applies to other products like maize, where 5 million tons are produced against local consumption of 1 million, and sugar, where Uganda produces 700,000 tons against the domestic demand of 300,000 tons. President Museveni explained that without regional and continental markets, Uganda’s industries would collapse under the weight of excess production. “Fortunately, there is a regional market that buys our extra milk, beef, and maize. So that's why we say we need East Africa, we need Africa for our own prosperity. And that's why we say the second principle is pan-Africanism; Love Africa. Why? Because you need it for your own good,” he said. On behalf of the veterans, Captain (Rtd) Leonard Settimba delivered a memorandum outlining concerns and requests, which included a revolving fund, requesting the government to channel affordable loans through Wazalendo SACCO or other institutions to support their income-generating ventures. They also proposed an annual national day to celebrate and reunite Kadogos and bush war fighters, which would also serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made for Uganda’s freedom. The veterans expressed fears of land evictions but were assured by the President that no one would be removed from their land provided they pay busuulu (ground rent). Brigadier General Justus Rukundo, Commandant of the Oliver Reginald Tambo Leadership School and Pan-African Centre of Excellence (ORTLS-PACEX), Kaweweta, thanked the President for supporting the training of veteran cadres. He revealed that the school has trained 15 intakes of officers of different ranks and continues to rejuvenate ideological clarity and leadership skills among veterans. The school is currently constructing a 20-room guest house named “ANC” in honor of South Africa’s African National Congress and Oliver Tambo. Plans for a learning auditorium and a senior officers’ dormitory await funding. The ceremony drew high-level attendance, including Hon. Alice Kaboyo, Minister of State for the Luwero Triangle and Rwenzori Region; Maj. Gen. David Mugisha, Commander of the Special Forces Command; Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Phinehas Kitirima, NRM District Chairperson for Sembabule; Maj. Gen. James Kiwanuka, UPDF Joint Staff for Human Resource Management; Maj. Gen. Steven Mugerwa, UPDF 1st Division Commander, and Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, Director of Defence Public Information.

2025-09-05

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI MEETS NRM MOBILIZERS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today flagged off National Resistance Movement (NRM) mobilizers from all over the country to sensitize the masses on different government programs aimed at lifting the lives of the wanainchi. “It seems you are clear about the vision and strategy of NRM because that’s always the problem people, don’t know how to get out of poverty” the President said during a meeting at State House, Entebbe. The mobilizers were led by Hajat Amina Mukalazi. President Museveni who is also the National chairman of the NRM party saluted the team for their dedication and hard work. “While we have been telling people that there are four sectors of the economy that help us to get out of poverty which include commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services and ICT, you are right to talk about mobilization regarding how the society can get out of poverty,” he added. President Museveni also asked the mobilizers to actively engage the masses in the fight against corruption and misuse of government funds meant to improve the lives of the population. He pledged to support their SACCO initiative to uplift their livelihoods. The group also presented to the President their Memorandum of Understanding, thanking the party national chairman for the good leadership that is steering Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

2025-09-05

MBARARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PROJECT GETS PRESIDENTIAL BOOST

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today met and held discussions with China-based consortium proposing to build and develop an international airport in Nyakisharara, Mbarara district. The meeting took place at State House, Entebbe. The project, presented to the President by Base 7 Aviation International Academy and their consultants, Hamster Business Solutions, aims to transform the region's economic landscape. According to officials from Base 7 Aviation International Academy, Mr. Mugabi Charles and Ms. Alexandria Judith Kyakunzire, three firms will drive the project: Hunan Construction and Investment Engineering company will handle construction, China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute will oversee feasibility and design, and Blackrock Uwekeza will finance and operate the airport on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model. President Museveni welcomed the group and pledged support for the construction of an iconic international airport in Mbarara, specifically at Nyakisharara. He said the group should coordinate with the government’s technical team to finalize the project. The President also emphasized the importance of this infrastructure project, stating that Uganda needs the airport to boost its economy, create jobs, and promote tourism and agriculture. During the consultants’ presentation, the President interjected with appreciation for the project, reflecting on the area's history and stressing the need to preserve the environment throughout the development process. Mr. Bethuel Macharia of Blackrock Uwekeza expressed enthusiasm for financing the entire project, highlighting the potential for significant economic growth. Consultants, Mr Eddie Kisitu and Mr. Abubakar Kaseruuzi of Hamster Business Solutions showcased the benefits of the airport, including facilitating transit between Latin America, China, Indonesia, and Australia, which would generate enormous revenue for Uganda and the region. The airport is expected to facilitate regional routes and have a profound impact on Uganda's economy, with projections suggesting it could triple the country's economic output. The Project is set to be up and running by 2030 under the President's initiative: Party and Term Oriented Delivery.

2025-09-04