KYANKWANZI, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has challenged Uganda’s newly appointed Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State to spearhead the country’s socio-economic transformation, declaring that the era of subsistence livelihoods must come to an end if Uganda is to achieve prosperity and industrialisation.
The President made the remarks while officially opening a 10-day Cabinet Induction Retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi, attended by ministers and senior government officials.
Describing Kyankwanzi as a symbol of sacrifice and commitment, President Museveni reminded the leaders that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was built on selflessness and service to the people.
“This is a place of sacrifice. The NRM is a party of sacrifice. People who let us down are people looking for their own things,” he said.
The President emphasized the importance of ideological clarity and political education, warning that many leaders have become detached from the movement’s historical mission.
“I have noticed a decline in political awareness among leaders. In order to help yourself, you must understand how to help your people,” he said.
Drawing a distinction between political education and political mobilization, President Museveni noted that effective leadership requires a deep understanding of society and development.
“Political education is knowledge and understanding, whereas propaganda is merely about exciting people,” he said.
He cautioned ministers against pursuing personal interests at the expense of national development, saying government institutions have, over the years, attracted individuals seeking personal enrichment rather than public service.
President Museveni also reflected on the evolution of societies and economic systems, citing German philosopher and economist Karl Marx as a notable analyst of social transformation.
“By 1848, Karl Marx had identified several social systems. I do not agree with some of his conclusions, but he was one of the best analysts,” he observed.
The President argued that Uganda’s biggest challenge remains completing the transition from a pre-capitalist economy dominated by subsistence production to a modern economy driven by industrialization, value addition and wealth creation.
He criticized the colonial economic model that focused on exporting raw materials such as coffee, cotton, tea and copper without developing local industries.
“They were not interested in creating a modern society. By 1962, only nine percent of Uganda’s population was in the money economy,” he said.
According to President Museveni, leadership must focus on transforming livelihoods by moving households from subsistence production into commercial economic activity.
“The purpose of leadership is to transform society. We must move our people from subsistence production into the money economy and build a modern society,” he said.
He identified commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as the four sectors that should drive Uganda’s transformation and urged ministers to mobilize citizens at the grassroots level to embrace wealth creation.
Reflecting on progress made in Uganda’s cattle corridor, the President said communities that once relied solely on traditional pastoralism were increasingly embracing commercial agriculture, although challenges such as land fragmentation and low productivity remain.
He urged Ugandans to adopt modern farming methods and collective investment models instead of continuously subdividing land.
“We cannot continue to have peasants in Uganda. Every family must move from subsistence living into the middle class or the skilled working class,” he emphasized.
President Museveni said Africa’s historic mission, both before and after independence, has been socio-economic transformation through wealth creation and industrial development.
“We must build a middle class in Africa. We must build a skilled working class in Africa,” he said.
In one of the strongest messages of his address, the President declared that poverty and subsistence living should no longer define Uganda’s future.
“In this Kisanja, I do not want any excuses. The challenge is socio-economic transformation. Peasants must disappear from Uganda; they must become either middle class or skilled middle class,” he said.
The President further called for stronger coordination among ministries and government agencies to support farmers through irrigation, mechanization, disease control, improved enterprise selection and market access.
Vice President Jessica Alupo said President Museveni’s recent electoral victory reflected Ugandans’ continued confidence in his leadership and vision for the country.
She described the retreat as an opportunity for ministers to acquire knowledge and prepare themselves for the responsibilities ahead.
“We shall confront corruption and deliver diligently,” Alupo pledged.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja thanked President Museveni for entrusting the new Cabinet with leadership responsibilities and pledged commitment to implementing government programmes effectively.
“Your Excellency, the theme of this retreat directly aligns with your call: no more sleep, no more corruption,” Nabbanja said.
She noted that achieving upper middle-income status would require accelerated agro-industrialization, expanded participation in the money economy and continued investment in infrastructure.
Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye urged ministers to focus on results and heed the President’s call for action.
“The President has sounded a wake-up call. You must all go to the field and work there. No more time for relaxing and rolling away your chairs,” she cautioned.
The Cabinet Induction Retreat is expected to equip ministers with a deeper understanding of government priorities and implementation strategies as Uganda pursues its development agenda for the 2026–2031 period.
