SPEECH

BY

H.E. YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

DURING

THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 14TH AFRICA PUBLIC SERVICE DAY (APSD) - 2025


KOLOLO CEREMONIAL GROUNDS


KAMPALA


7TH JULY, 2025.




I congratulate all public servants upon reaching the 14th Africa Public Service Day. I thank the Ministry of Public Service for organising this year’s commemoration activities; and the public servants, for their enthusiastic participation, in the activities, such as sports, exhibitions, etc. A modern economy is based on commercialized agriculture, industry, services, ICT and an efficient public service.
Since 1986, when the NRM government captured power, our overriding goal has been to transform Uganda from a poor peasant society into a modern, industrial, united and prosperous society. By 1986, all the pillars of the state had collapsed. There was no army to defend the people’s interests; no police to maintain law and order; and the public service had been rendered inefficient, on account of the sectarianism of tribe, religion, gender, etc. Therefore, in the absence of a patriotic army, the lives and property of Ugandans could not be secured. Some people forget that peace, security and stability are fundamental ingredients of development. Therefore, it was necessary that we first secure the country and wipe out all internal and external threats to peace and tranquility. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has been able to defeat and chase all the disturbers of peace e.g. the ADF, LRA etc., from Ugandan territory.
The other essential ingredient of development, which the NRM has tackled, is the establishment of the necessary social and economic infrastructure across the country. Government has prioritized infrastructure development in the key areas of transport and energy, in order to lower the costs of doing business in Uganda. There are four major cost pushers in business: high cost of electricity, transport, money and labour. If these four are high, then businesses cannot grow. Business is about profits. When you make profits, the business grows and in order to make profits, you must minimize the costs. Therefore, our deliberate move to prioritise infrastructure development was aimed at creating a strong economic base to attract investment in the four sectors of commercial agriculture, industries, services and ICT. The dividends of this correct strategy are evident across the country. Factories have increased across the country. Industrial parks have been established in all the regions of Uganda. Agricultural production has increased to create surpluses for some commodities. There is more maize, sugar, milk, bananas, eggs, etc., than Ugandans can consume. This is on account of the good roads, cheap labour and enough electricity to support production and manufacturing. The challenge of high cost of money is being addressed by extending cheap credit to those engaged in production through Uganda Development Bank and the Wealth Creation programs e.g. Emyooga Fund, Women Fund, Youth Fund and now the Parish Development (PDM) Model. PDM is aimed at eliminating bystanders or spectators in the drive towards increasing household incomes and creation of jobs.
The NRM government has been involved in efforts aimed at integrating Uganda’s market of 46 million people to the bigger market of East Africa and Africa. Individually, the 54 African states have small internal markets that cannot spur them to higher levels of prosperity. However, collectively, Africa has a huge market of 1.3 billion people. This is the market that Uganda must take advantage of to gain greater prosperity. Uganda is ripe for investment; all the conditions for a favourable investment climate are in place: peace, security and stability are guaranteed; the physical infrastructure to enable business operations is in place and finally, the market is available i.e. the Ugandan market, the East African market and the huge African market. Therefore, business profitability and returns on investment are guaranteed.
Therefore, all government efforts should be aligned towards ensuring that we maintain peace and stability, continue modernising the infrastructure in order to attract more investments and eliminating the subsistence modes of production. I urge the public service to support the pro-people agenda of the NRM i.e. ensuring free education for our children, in the government schools; drugs are not stolen in the government health facilities; and the correct implementation of the wealth funds, to lift all Ugandan households from poverty. Please, desist from all forms of corruption. Corruption slows down Uganda’s development. However, this will not be tolerated by the patriots, who fought for the liberation of Uganda and Africa. I want to assure you that Uganda’s progress is unstoppable.
Finally, I once again congratulate you upon reaching the Public Service Day and wish you peaceful celebrations.
I thank you all.