Museveni Outlines Bold Economic Agenda in 2026 State of the Nation Address
By Skika Reporter.
President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday delivered a wide-ranging State of the Nation Address at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, laying out an ambitious economic roadmap for Uganda following his recent inauguration for another five-year term.
Addressing members of the newly inaugurated 12th Parliament, Museveni emphasized economic sovereignty, industrialization, and wealth creation as the central pillars of his administration’s agenda. The address marked the official opening of the first session of the new Parliament and set the tone for government priorities over the coming legislative cycle.
A key highlight of the speech was the government’s focus on strengthening economic independence through new policy and legislative reforms, including the recently enacted Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026. The President said the law is intended to safeguard Uganda’s economic direction while still maintaining a favorable environment for foreign investment.
“Uganda’s economy has established its foundation,” Museveni said, urging lawmakers to align national planning and the budget with grassroots wealth creation initiatives. He called on Members of Parliament to actively promote productivity-driven policies in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
The President also reiterated that his current term will continue to follow the National Resistance Movement (NRM) 2026–2031 Manifesto, which prioritizes commercial agriculture, industrial expansion, and the growth of the services sector as engines of job creation and income generation.
On governance, Museveni issued a strong warning against corruption and inefficiency in public service, cautioning what he described as “lazy and corrupt leaders” that accountability would be strictly enforced under his new cabinet. He stressed the need for faster service delivery and improved performance across government institutions.
The President further highlighted infrastructure development as a key enabler of economic transformation, pointing to ongoing projects such as the expansion of the regional Standard Gauge Railway, which is expected to improve trade connectivity within the East African Community.
In addition to economic themes, Museveni also urged greater emphasis on civic responsibility and patriotism training, saying these values are essential for protecting Uganda’s socio-economic gains and strengthening national unity.
The address comes amid heightened national attention on development priorities, public sector accountability, and the pace of industrialization as Uganda navigates its post-election policy agenda
