Leaders Must Ensure Public Resources Reach the People
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged both National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders and opposition politicians to take a more active role in monitoring government programmes and ensuring effective service delivery, emphasizing that leaders who fail to oversee public initiatives should be held accountable.
The President made the remarks during the presentation of Uganda's Shs84.4 trillion National Budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. The budget, presented by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, on behalf of the President, focuses on accelerating economic growth, improving service delivery, and strengthening productive sectors as Uganda advances toward its goal of becoming a high-growth middle-income economy.
President Museveni noted that while Uganda has made remarkable economic progress over the years, gaps in implementation and supervision continue to hinder the success of several government programmes.
“We are to demand performance from both the NRM and also the opposition. As long as you are getting money from the government, you must check what is happening on the ground,” the President said.
He stressed that all elected leaders, regardless of political affiliation, have a responsibility to monitor government projects within their areas and ensure that public funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
Concern Over Mismanagement of Parish Development Model Funds
President Museveni cited persistent complaints regarding the theft and misuse of funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM), revealing that he encountered similar concerns while campaigning in different parts of the country.
“People were complaining that their PDM money had been stolen. I found the same complaints in Maracha, Kween, Kampala, Kawempe and Buwambo. What are the Members of Parliament doing? What are local leaders doing?” he asked.
The President warned that government officials, legislators, and local leaders who neglect their monitoring responsibilities will increasingly face scrutiny.
“I will ask the Attorney General to see how I can deal with leaders who are paid to monitor but do not do their work,” he said.
Expanding Participation in the Money Economy
President Museveni identified the integration of the remaining 33 percent of Ugandans who are still outside the money economy as the country's most pressing development challenge.
“For now, let all political leaders take the lead in getting 33 percent of our people who are outside the money economy to join the money economy,” he said.
The President traced Uganda’s economic transformation from the colonial era, explaining that at Independence in 1962, only about 9 percent of households participated in the money economy while 91 percent remained engaged in subsistence production.
He noted that participation steadily increased to 32 percent by 2013 and has since risen to 67 percent, largely due to wealth creation initiatives such as Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model.
“Although we have done well, we could have done much better. The challenge now is the 33 percent who are still outside the money economy,” he said.
President Museveni directed ministers, Members of Parliament, and local government leaders to monitor PDM implementation parish by parish to prevent theft of funds and ensure beneficiaries generate sustainable incomes.
Using a traditional Banyankore proverb, he emphasized the importance of leadership accountability.
“The eyes of the dead body are the eyes of the one carrying it,” he said.
National Budget Anchored on Wealth Creation
While presenting the budget, Hon. Henry Musasizi highlighted government efforts to transform household incomes and expand economic participation across the country.
He revealed that over the past five years, government has transferred Shs4.4 trillion as revolving capital to all 10,589 parishes under the Parish Development Model.
“To date, the government has invested close to Shs11 trillion directly into wealth-creation initiatives targeting households in the subsistence economy, farmers, youth, women and businesses,” Hon. Musasizi said.
The Minister described the Parish Development Model as one of government's most significant interventions aimed at eliminating subsistence production and expanding participation in the money economy.
He also announced strong growth in domestic revenue collection.
“In FY2026/27, domestic revenue is projected to increase to Shs45.6 trillion from Shs35.7 trillion in FY2025/26, equivalent to 15.9 percent of GDP,” he said.
According to the Minister, the increased revenue will support wealth creation programmes, agricultural transformation, infrastructure development, and other strategic investments.
Government projects Uganda’s economy to grow by 10.2 percent in the next financial year, up from the current 6.4 percent growth rate, driven largely by petroleum production and continued investments in productive sectors.
Uganda's Vast Economic Potential
President Museveni described Uganda's economic performance as impressive by global standards but emphasized that the country has the capacity to achieve even higher levels of growth.
“Uganda is a very rich country. We have enormous potential and we have only begun to tap it,” he said.
The President dismissed criticism that government investments are spread across too many sectors, explaining that Uganda’s diverse natural resources present opportunities for growth in multiple industries.
He also underscored the importance of regional markets in driving Uganda’s economic transformation.
“When you produce, you must sell. Africa is our sure market,” he noted.
Oil Revenues to Support Strategic Development
President Museveni expressed optimism about the transformative impact of Uganda’s emerging petroleum sector, revealing that government expects to earn approximately USD 1.5 billion annually from its share of oil revenues once production begins.
Part of these revenues, he explained, will be invested in a sovereign wealth fund while another portion will finance strategic infrastructure projects.
“We need to create a sovereign fund so that the money can earn more money, as countries like Norway have done,” he said.
The President identified regional railway networks connecting Uganda to Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Rwanda as priority investments.
According to him, shifting heavy cargo transportation from roads to railways and pipelines will significantly reduce transport costs and improve regional competitiveness.
Protecting Infrastructure and the Environment
President Museveni also defended government efforts to restore order in urban areas by removing traders from road reserves and protecting wetlands from encroachment.
“The road is for vehicles. The sidewalks are for pedestrians. Markets are for selling goods,” he said.
The President warned that continued destruction of wetlands threatens Uganda’s environmental sustainability and long-term development.
“The swamp is for water. It is not for rice, sweet potatoes or buildings,” he stated.
He attributed much of the environmental degradation to years of political opportunism and called for stronger enforcement of conservation laws.
Ebola Situation Remains Under Control
Addressing the ongoing Ebola outbreak, President Museveni assured Ugandans that the situation remains manageable and can be contained through vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines.
The President disclosed that Uganda has recorded 19 Ebola cases so far, including 14 Congolese nationals and five Ugandans. He reported that two people have died, while several others have recovered and been discharged.
According to President Museveni, four Congolese patients and one Ugandan have already recovered, while the remaining patients continue to improve.
“In the last five days there has been no new case,” he said.
The President explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids rather than through airborne transmission, making it easier to contain than diseases such as COVID-19.
He urged Ugandans to avoid unnecessary physical contact, including handshakes and hugs, and to seek medical attention immediately when symptoms appear.
“Ebola is not a serious problem if people follow the guidelines. It is easy to avoid, and patients can recover if they receive treatment early,” he said.
President Museveni further revealed that Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are working together to establish screening and treatment facilities along border areas to prevent cross-border transmission.
A Call for Accountability and Inclusive Prosperity
As Uganda enters the 2026/2027 Financial Year, President Museveni called upon leaders at all levels to strengthen oversight, support wealth creation initiatives, and ensure that every Ugandan benefits from government programmes. He emphasized that accountability, economic inclusion, strategic investments, and responsible leadership remain essential pillars in Uganda’s journey toward sustainable prosperity and socio-economic transformation.