President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged district leaders to prioritize promoting politics of interests as it is crucial for the prosperity of Ugandans.
According to President Museveni, Uganda faced numerous challenges after gaining independence, caused by leaders who incorrectly diagnosed the problems affecting citizens.
“When we attained independence in 1962, people were less concerned, and each one diagnosed the problem in their own way. Some emphasized identity politics in the form of federalism. Even now, they still discuss it, despite it hindering development. Just four years after Independence, the country encountered numerous problems, including the abolition of the constitution by Obote, leading to wars and Amin’s regime, among other challenges. All of this was caused by the ‘doctor who wrongly diagnosed the patient’,” he stressed.
The President made these remarks while addressing 472 district leaders at the conclusion of the Transformational Leadership Development Course at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) Kyankwanzi.
The leaders were drawn from seven districts: Hoima, Kakumiro, Mubende, Kasanda, Nakaseke, Kamwenge, and Kyankwanzi. The course focused on the theme: “The role of local leaders in the implementation of government programs and projects.”
President Museveni explained that when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) emerged, it accurately diagnosed Uganda’s problems and devised four core principles to address them.
He stated that the four core principles of the NRM – Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy – aim to promote the prosperity of Ugandans.
“In my area in Rwakitura, for prosperity, I need buyers for my milk, meat, and bananas. If I have consistent buyers, I will prosper. However, the Banyankore in Ankore, who produce similar products, don’t buy from me. Therefore, I need buyers from other regions. Similarly, a Muganda in Kampala sells to people beyond the Baganda. Patriotism is essential because poverty affects us all regardless of tribe or religion,” he emphasized.
President Museveni added that a peaceful country with increased production requires external markets to ensure citizens’ prosperity.
“The Ugandan market alone is insufficient; we need East Africa and Africa at large. That’s why we emphasize Pan-Africanism. Socio-economic transformation requires citizens to engage in wealth creation and access to free education,” he noted.
He advised Ugandans to fight poverty through the four-acre model of agriculture, where one acre is allocated to different crops and activities.
“The fourth principle, democracy, is crucial,” he added, promising to consider establishing a SACCO to support district leaders.
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