President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who also serves as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, has reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Uganda, saying no one will be allowed to disrupt the peace the country has enjoyed under his leadership.
Speaking during a media engagement held at the State Lodge in Mbale on President Museveni responded to questions from journalists regarding the assurance of security during and after the elections. He firmly stated that anyone attempting to destabilize the country would face decisive action.
“No one can disturb our peace. If anyone tries, we shall simply pick them up, and that will be the end of the story,” the President warned.
“You can play those games in other parts of Africa, but not here.”
President Museveni emphasized that the government remains firm in enforcing the law and discouraging judicial leniency in cases involving serious offenses.
“We are very strict with our lawyers now. We don’t want this game where someone commits a crime, is given bail,” he noted.
Turning to economic development, President Museveni highlighted the importance of value addition in the coffee sector, particularly in the Elgon sub-region. He pointed out that despite Africa’s vast coffee production, the continent earns only USD 2.5 billion from a global coffee market worth USD 460 billion, while countries like Germany without growing any coffee earn up to USD 65 billion from processed products.
“I don’t want Uganda to remain in that kind of sleep. Selling unprocessed coffee is a loss. When we add value, we earn more dollars and can pay farmers better,” Museveni explained.
The President cited the example of Tugume Nelson, a young entrepreneur who embraced his vision for value addition. Museveni supported him in establishing the Ntungamo Africa Coffee Factory in Rwashamaire, Ntungamo District. The factory focuses on large-scale coffee processing, farmer training, and promoting coffee tourism in the region.
According to Museveni, Tugume’s initiative is expected to create over 4,800 jobs, most of them for scientists and machine engineers.
“It’s wasteful to keep exporting raw coffee beans. With value addition, we create jobs, retain profits, and empower our farmers,” the President emphasized.