President Museveni outlines key priorities in his next term of Office

President-elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has credited God, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), and Uganda’s security institutions for his election victory, while outlining key priorities for his next term in office.

President Museveni was speaking after receiving the declaration of results at his country home in Rwakitura in Kiruhura district, where he thanked NRM members and leaders for their role in the campaign, as well as the armed forces for maintaining peace during the electoral period and also acknowledged religious and cultural leaders for promoting stability and unity across the country.

He called for the intervention of the Interreligious Council of Uganda to mediate with opposition leaders, advising them to reconsider their violent tactics and focus on national reconciliation and reiterated the NRM’s commitment to maintaining the peace and unity that the party has worked hard to restore in Uganda over the past several decades.

President Museveni noted that voter turnout had been lower than expected, and it is estimated that about 10 million Ugandan registered voters did not participate in the election and said that the NRM would analyze the reasons behind the low turnout, describing it as an important test of the party’s strength.

“We must find out why 10 million registered NRM voters did not turn up,” Museveni said, 

President Museveni added that many spoiled votes came from NRM supporters, particularly elderly voters, and said this too required reflection and correction.

While speaking about security, President-elect Museveni warned against violence and disorder, citing incidents in which armed groups attempted to disrupt polling in some areas and emphasized that Uganda must remain peaceful and cautioned against actions that could plunge the country into instability, saying Ugandans did not want a situation similar to that seen in countries such as Libya.

President Museveni said his government would pursue a two-pronged economic strategy in the bext term and focus will be continued support for wealth creators, including commercial farmers, industrialists, hotel owners and investors, through institutions such as the Uganda Development Bank. 

“In the next phase, we will focus on two categories: supporting the rich and helping the 30% of Ugandans still living under subsistence farming and the government would expand financial support schemes, free universal education, healthcare improvements, and infrastructure development,” He said.

President Museveni also addressed the importance of enhancing water supply systems for both domestic use and production, with a vision for excellence in public service delivery by 2031 and highlighted the significance of the East African Community’s free trade protocols and plans to strengthen Uganda’s position within the regional bloc.

He also said that renewed efforts would be directed at lifting the poorest households out of poverty, with the goal of ensuring that all homesteads become economically productive.

The President-elect highlighted the Parish Development Model and skilling hubs as key interventions that have already given hope to communities, saying these initiatives would be strengthened to address household poverty and reduce vulnerability to political manipulation.

He also outlined social service priorities for the next term, including free education in government schools, improved healthcare delivery, and stricter supervision to ensure drugs reach health facilities and said that corruption and injustice in the courts continued to anger citizens and pledged tougher action to ensure fairness and accountability. 

President Museveni further warned leaders and contractors that road maintenance, especially for tarmac roads, would be closely monitored.

On the economy,  President Museveni confirmed that Uganda is entering the oil production phase and said revenues from the sector would be invested in long-term infrastructure projects and said that oil money would be directed toward railways, power generation and science education, stressing that the exhaustible resource must be used to build sustainable national capacity.

Presisdent Elect Museveni saluted all Ugandans, including those who supported the opposition, and called for unity and stability as the country enters a new term under his leadership.

Speaking before the President, the First Lady Maama Janet Museveni thanked the President, NRM leadership, religious leaders and supporters for their contributions to the victory.

“Today, we rededicate ourselves to serving the people of Uganda with even more devotion. God will continue to bless our efforts,” The First Lady Janet Museveni said.

She said the outcome reflected God’s divine purpose and faithfulness, and called on party members and leaders to re-dedicate themselves to service, urging them to work harder in serving the people of God and the nation.

The Vice President of Uganda, Major Jessica Alupo Epel, congratulated President Museveni for his resilience throughout the campaign, noting that his leadership had garnered support across the nation. 

“Ugandans are united in their belief in your leadership, and I call on everyone to continue supporting your government in this new term,” Vice President Alupo said.

At a brief but significant event, President Museveni received his official Presidential declaration certificate form from the Uganda Electoral Commission, confirming his victory with 7,946,772 votes which is 71.65% of the total valid votes which was presented by the NRM First Vice Chairman Alhaji Moses Kigongo.

In the coming weeks, President Museveni will begin outlining his plans in greater detail, with a particular focus on improving the livelihoods of the most vulnerable Ugandans, enhancing national security, and continuing the development initiatives started in his previous terms.

The event was attended by top NRM Leaders that included the Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Anita Among, the NRM Secretary General Hon Richard Todwong, the entire Central Executive Committee and NRM Secretariat Management Among many others.