Soroti, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to abandon sectarian politics and instead embrace the politics of interest, saying this ideological shift has been the cornerstone of Uganda’s unity and progress under the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The President made the remarks on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, while holding a media interaction with journalists from the Teso sub-region at the State Lodge in Soroti City, where he discussed the country’s development priorities, ideological direction, and governance outlook.
“The NRM’s ideological approach to national leadership has consolidated unity and built strong institutions like the Army, Police, and Public Service,” Museveni told journalists. “We must focus on interests that bind us, peace, development, and prosperity, not sectarian divisions that hold us back.”
Wealth Creation as National Priority
On wealth creation being a national priority, President Museveni said Uganda’s transformation depends on increasing the number of wealth creators, arguing that those who remain outside productive sectors are retarding national development goals.
He reiterated the NRM government’s commitment to promoting commercially viable sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, services, ICT, and artisanship, urging Ugandans to actively participate in the wealth creation movement.
“The more wealth creators we have, the more jobs will be created,” Museveni said. “Our people must join productive sectors to improve household incomes and drive Uganda’s growth.”
The President also announced plans to establish demonstration farms adjacent to the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs, which will serve as centers for practical learning and guidance on commercial agriculture.
Museveni also emphasized the importance of strengthening regional markets and political cooperation under the East African Community (EAC), saying a united regional bloc is key to economic transformation and security.
He challenged East African youth to think analytically about their role in shaping the region’s future, warning against riotous behavior and ideological manipulation. “Young people must understand the causes they fight for. Our generation fought for unity and stability; theirs must build prosperity,” he said.
Cattle Restocking and Parish Development Model
The President also provided updates on key government programs, including the cattle restocking initiative for Teso, Lango, and Acholi sub-regions, which he said is being aligned with government structures and will be rolled out in phases.
“The cattle restocking program will reach about 1.5 million homesteads across the three sub-regions,” Museveni revealed.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying enhancements will be made to improve coordination, supervision, and delivery.
On New Districts, Education, and Graduate Fund
President Museveni cautioned against the unchecked creation of new districts, saying such demands must be weighed against the cost of administration and the need to bridge existing service delivery gaps. “We should prioritize using the limited funds for development interventions rather than spending on new administrative structures,” he said.
He also called for consensus among stakeholders on enforcing free universal education in government schools, emphasizing that the policy must be implemented without compromise to ensure every Ugandan child benefits.
On youth empowerment, Museveni confirmed that the planned Graduate Fund will soon be implemented as part of a broader wealth creation strategy, distinct from the Youth Livelihood Programme.
In his political guidance, Museveni cautioned NRM-leaning independent candidates against standing outside the party framework, warning that such actions risk dividing the vote and handing advantage to opposition candidates.
“If independents split the NRM vote, both they and the official party candidate lose. I urge them to reconsider and work within the party structure,” he said.
The President concluded his interaction by reaffirming his belief that Uganda’s progress lies in unity, productivity, and ideological clarity. He said the NRM’s success in building national institutions is proof that politics of interest, not ethnicity or religion, is the path to sustained development.
“Uganda’s future belongs to those who think beyond tribe and religion, and focus on what benefits all Ugandans,” Museveni said.
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