President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned against external interference in African affairs, saying foreign actors are attempting to destabilize the region because they are threatened by Uganda’s growing industrial base and upcoming oil production.
The President made the remarks yesterday during a radio talk show at Mbale State Lodge in Mbale City, where he engaged journalists in the Bugisu Sub-region. “Most of these children being misled in Tanzania and other countries are being confused by European powers that are worried about Uganda’s progress. Our industries are growing, our oil is coming — and they want to control Africa’s resources. But I must warn those confusing them that we shall crush them,” he said firmly.
President Museveni reiterated that peace and stability remain the foundation of Uganda’s success under the NRM, noting that unity and discipline have enabled the country to build strong national institutions. “Number one is peace. We created peace because we don’t believe in sectarian politics. That is why we have been able to build a strong national army capable of defending our country,” he said.
Tracing the NRM’s roots to 1965, the President said the Movement emerged in response to the politics of identity that had divided Ugandans along tribal and religious lines. “What is important for the people is their needs, not their tribes. Prosperity comes from production and markets, not from tribal identity,” he said.
He emphasized that the NRM’s ideology is based on four key pillars — peace, development, wealth creation, and regional integration. “When the earlier sectarian groups collapsed and Amin came in, we decided to fight for a new Uganda built on unity and purpose,” he said.
On development, President Museveni said that while Uganda has achieved major progress in infrastructure — including roads, electricity and schools — poverty persists in some communities because people have not fully embraced wealth creation. “Africa has been underpopulated for a long time. People can survive without progressing unless leaders wake them up — that’s what I did with the Banyankore,” he noted.
He encouraged Ugandans, especially the youth, to create jobs through commercial agriculture, ICT, services and industries rather than depend on government employment. “Before colonialism, Africans had emyooga (talents), but the colonialists diverted people into administration. Jobs come from production, not from government offices,” he said.
The President revealed that a new industrial park will be established in Busumbu, Mbale, to process vermiculite — a mineral used in satellite technology. “We are focusing on four sectors: commercial agriculture, factories, ICT, and services. It is wealth creation that creates jobs,” he said.
He also urged residents living on high-risk mountain slopes to adopt safer farming practices and explore alternative livelihoods to prevent disasters such as mudslides. “We can sit down and agree on how best to use the mountain sustainably,” he said.
On youth empowerment, President Museveni announced a forthcoming funding scheme for university graduates to support start-ups, organized by zone, and pledged to continue supporting value addition initiatives in agriculture, especially coffee processing.
Reaffirming his commitment to stability, President Museveni declared: “Nobody can disturb our peace. Anybody who tries will be dealt with.”
The interactive session was attended by the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, the Party’s Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, Mr. Calvin Echodu, and several leaders from the Bugisu Sub-region.