Kololo, Uganda – President Yoweri Museveni has vowed to crack down on corruption and complacency as he was sworn in for his seventh term in office, declaring that the new “kisanja” would be a period of “no more sleeping” for Ugandans.
Speaking before thousands of supporters and visiting Heads of State at the inauguration ceremony at Kololo Independence Grounds, Museveni said the next phase of Uganda’s development would focus on wealth creation, industrialisation, value addition and accountability in government programs.
“This kisanja should be regarded as a kisanja of no more sleep for all Ugandans,” Museveni said. “There is no more excuse for poverty when the infrastructure, markets and government programs are now in place.”
The veteran leader said the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) had, over the last four decades, laid what he described as the “seven bricks” of Uganda’s transformation, including peace, infrastructure development, wealth creation, jobs, service delivery and regional market integration.
Museveni emphasized that Uganda had moved from instability and sectarian politics to national unity and economic growth through the NRM’s ideology.
“The first brick we laid was peace by rejecting sectarianism based on tribe and religion,” he said. “That is why Uganda has remained stable and united.”
The President highlighted investments in roads, electricity, railways, schools, health centres and ICT infrastructure, but stressed that development alone was not enough unless citizens actively participated in wealth creation.
“We have been telling Ugandans that wealth is created through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT,” Museveni said. “When people create wealth, jobs also come automatically.”
He noted that government initiatives such as Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model (PDM) had increased the number of Ugandan households participating in the money economy from 32 percent in 2013 to 67 percent today.
Museveni also issued a strong warning against corruption and misuse of government funds, saying Ugandans now had the power to hold leaders accountable through local government structures and participatory programs.
“If anybody is diverting government money, you are empowered to deal with him or her,” he said. “The programs are there in every parish and constituency. There should be no more excuses.”
The President further urged African countries to stop exporting raw materials without processing them, describing the practice as a “strategic mistake” that had kept the continent poor decades after independence.
“When Africa exports raw materials without value addition, we donate jobs and wealth to outsiders,” Museveni said, citing gold processing as an example of how industrialisation could significantly increase earnings and employment opportunities.
He called for stronger regional integration through the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, saying bigger markets were necessary for Africa’s economic transformation.
Museveni also pledged to strengthen environmental protection measures, including restoring wetlands and forests, while promoting irrigation and fish farming as part of sustainable agriculture.
Speaking on behalf of visiting leaders, Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye congratulated Museveni on his re-election and praised Uganda’s progress under his leadership.
“Your renewed mandate is a powerful affirmation of peace, stability and institutional continuity that Uganda has cultivated over the years,” Ndayishimiye said.
He added that Museveni’s leadership had positioned Uganda among Africa’s most promising emerging economies through investments in infrastructure, poverty reduction and social development.
“We have followed with admiration the remarkable transformation Uganda has achieved under your stewardship,” the Burundian leader said.
Ndayishimiye also paid tribute to Museveni’s role in regional peace efforts, particularly in Burundi and the Great Lakes region.
“The people of Burundi will always remember with gratitude your tireless efforts in favour of peace, not only within our borders but across the Great Lakes region,” he said.
He described Museveni as “a wise and respected African statesman” whose leadership continued to guide the continent toward peace, unity and cooperation.
