The President made these words at the grand opening of a 10-day introductory seminar for ministers at the National Institute of Leadership (NALI) in Chiankwanzi. The event was attended by ministers and senior government officials, and its theme was «Governance with integrity, Discipline and Results: Uganda's path to becoming an upper-middle income country».
The President warned of the risk of ideological division among civil servants, stressing that leadership should rely on political education and a clear understanding of national priorities, rather than personal ambitions. Since 1986, various groups have attempted to infiltrate government structures for personal gain. Among them were businessmen seeking privileges, careerists, criminals, and those who use government positions to enrich themselves and their families. He noted that such trends undermine the process of national transformation, and called on ministers to adhere to honesty, patriotism and responsibility in their work. In his speech, President Museveni reflected on the development of societies throughout history, referring to the ideas of the German philosopher and economist Karl Marx.
The President explained that the main task of Uganda remains the transition from a predominantly pre-capitalist economy to a modern one based on production, industrialization, added value and wealth creation. He criticized the economic model introduced during the colonial period by British rule, arguing that it limited Uganda to the production and export of raw materials.
President Museveni noted that Uganda's economy during the period of independence relied on the so-called «3C and 3T» - coffee, cotton and copper, as well as tobacco, tea and tourism, with a significant portion of exports going abroad in raw or partially processed form. He stressed that domestic recycling, packaging, and brand creation remain vital to increase income and create jobs.
The goal of NRM has always been socio-economic transformation through participation in the monetary economy and education. The President highlighted commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and information and communication technology as four key sectors that should drive Uganda's economic growth, and called on ministers to actively involve communities in wealth creation. Referring to his experience in the cattle corridor, Museveni noted Uganda's significant progress in transitioning communities from traditional subsistence farming to commercial production, although problems such as land fragmentation, low productivity, poor pasture management and insufficient irrigation remain. He called on leaders to promote modern farming practices and collective investment approaches instead of land division.
The responsibility of African leaders in the historical context, both during the struggle for independence and after, has always been linked to the economic transformation of society. In modern conditions, closer cooperation between ministries and government agencies is required to support farmers through irrigation, mechanization, disease control, improved crop selection and increased access to markets. Vice President Jessica Alupo noted that President Museveni's convincing victory in the elections demonstrates the continued trust of the society in his leadership and vision. She described the retreat in Chiankwanzi as a significant platform for ministers to expand their knowledge and prepare for future duties. Alupo called on ministers to actively participate in achieving Uganda's ambitious development goals, including the drive to grow the economy to $500 billion, reaffirming the Cabinet's commitment to fighting corruption.
Achieving the status of an upper-middle income country will require accelerated agroindustrialization, more active participation in the monetary economy, and continued investments in key infrastructure such as roads, railways, schools, and medical facilities. She also promised to strengthen oversight of government projects to ensure efficient use of resources and quality provision of services. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, Head of the Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary, reminded the ministers that their appointments reflected the trust placed in President Museveni and urged them to focus on achieving results.
Nakyobe also appealed to the leaders to serve as an example in the fight against corruption, stressing that bribery is one of the most serious obstacles on Uganda's path to achieving the level of an upper-middle-income country. The 10-day introductory retreat is expected to provide ministers with a deeper understanding of government systems, policy priorities, and strategies for their implementation, as the administration begins to implement its development program for the period from 2026 to 2031.
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