President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to accelerate Uganda’s economic growth and deliver deeper social transformation if re-elected in the 2026 general election.
The Head of State made the remarks shortly after being officially nominated as the Presidential candidate of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) by the Electoral Commission.
His nomination marks the beginning of a fresh campaign cycle in which the 81-year-old leader will seek to extend his four-decade tenure.
Museveni, who also serves as NRM national chairperson, expressed gratitude to party members for what he described as their “renewed trust” in his leadership.
“I want to thank the NRM members for again showing strong trust in me and electing me as the NRM chairperson,” he said.
Doubling GDP
Highlighting Uganda’s recent economic performance, Museveni noted that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had nearly doubled within one presidential term, rising from $34 billion to $66 billion despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate shocks, and global commodity fluctuations.
“Doubling GDP in one term is not easy, but this is what we have achieved,” Museveni said.
He attributed this progress to long-standing investments in peace and security, electrification, road and rail infrastructure, telecommunications, and human capital development, which he said created a stable foundation for both domestic and foreign investors.
Next Term
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the President outlined his next policy agenda:
Education: Expansion of free education in all government schools to ensure no Ugandan child is left behind.
Healthcare: Strengthening the national drug supply chain to guarantee reliable access to medicines in public health facilities.
Water Access: Accelerating safe water coverage to every village across the country.
Anti-Corruption: Intensifying the fight against corruption, which he described as critical to safeguarding Uganda’s progress and credibility with investors.
“We need to ensure that all our population players get involved. The mass issues of health, education, safe water, and fighting corruption must be addressed if Uganda is to continue moving toward a first-world status,” he emphasized.
Call
Museveni also urged the party’s information and publicity wings to actively document and communicate Uganda’s transformation since 1986. He argued that evidence of progress in peace, infrastructure, and service delivery speaks louder than political rhetoric, and should form the backbone of the NRM’s 2026 campaign messaging.
Since taking power nearly 40 years ago, Museveni has overseen Uganda’s transition from an economy devastated by civil war to one that the World Bank classifies as lower-middle income. The government points to new highways, electricity grids, expanded ICT networks, and a growing industrial base as testimony to his administration’s achievements.
Transition
However, his bid for another term comes amid increasing debate over political transition. Supporters argue that his experience and stability guarantee Uganda’s continued growth, while critics question whether the country needs a fresh political direction after decades under one leader.
For Museveni, the answer lies in continuity. “We have laid the foundation. Now we must finish the job of turning Uganda into a modern, integrated, and prosperous nation,” he said.
