A two-day high-level event, the Musevenomics Conference 2025, officially commenced today at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala, drawing an influential assembly of policymakers, economists, and business leaders committed to shaping Uganda’s economic trajectory.
Organized by the Uganda Development Forum in collaboration with various partners, the conference is being held under the theme “Sustaining Musevenomics: Navigating Uganda’s Economic Future in a Disrupted World.” The gathering seeks to dissect and advance President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s economic philosophy, aligning it with the National Development Plan IV and Uganda’s Vision 2040.
With a focus on delivering actionable policy recommendations for sustainable development, the conference features a range of sessions centered on key pillars such as industrialization, value addition, and inclusive growth.
The opening session was chaired by the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Professor Augustus Nuwagaba, and included remarks from the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, as well as the Chairperson of the Uganda Development Forum, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho Salim Saleh.
A keynote address was delivered by Dr. Fred Muhumuza, Director of the Economic Forum at Makerere University Business School. Dr. Muhumuza traced the roots of Musevenomics to President Museveni’s 10-Point Programme, emphasizing its historical focus on education, agriculture, and security since 1986. He described Musevenomics as a pragmatic and people-centered economic strategy, which has played a crucial role in Uganda’s transformation from a low-income to a middle-income economy.
Today’s sessions explored Uganda’s economic opportunities, highlighting sectors such as booming coffee and gold exports, increasing remittances, and substantial investments in the oil industry. However, speakers also tackled ongoing challenges, including regional instability, global trade disruptions, and a decline in foreign aid.
In his remarks, Gen. Salim Saleh spotlighted the Parish Development Model (PDM), revealing that as of April 2025, Uganda’s 10,595 parishes had each received UGX 200 million to support agriculture and animal husbandry initiatives. He noted that this financial empowerment is catalyzing a monetized rural economy, stating, “This is Musevenomics at work—empowering communities,” and aligning it with Vision 2040’s middle-income status goal.
According to the event organizers, the true impact of the conference lies in its ability to bridge policy and practice. Discussions on industrialization underscored Uganda’s stable macroeconomic environment and ongoing infrastructure projects led by the UPDF, including the construction of roads and schools—efforts that echo Musevenomics’ globalized and development-oriented outlook.
A key discussant, Dr. Patrick Birungi, emphasized the need for value addition in agriculture, noting that coffee exports have nearly doubled since 2019, though more needs to be done to boost productivity and export readiness.
Private sector representatives such as Kampala-based entrepreneur Ms. Sarah Nakimuli praised the platform for its collaborative nature, stating that it provides a vital space where business leaders can align their operations with national development objectives.
Throughout the day, attendees engaged with a digital showcase of Musevenomics’ successes, featuring achievements in rural electrification, agro-processing hubs, and community-level initiatives. Panel discussions also addressed global challenges, including supply chain disruptions, public health threats such as HIV/AIDS and Ebola, and the implications of an increasingly volatile global economy.
The conference seeks to deepen understanding of Musevenomics, assess its relevance in today’s global economic context, and create a roadmap for Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
Organizers have pledged to publish comprehensive documentation of all sessions within the next two weeks, along with a scholarly analysis of how Musevenomics is being applied across various economic sectors.
By convening Uganda’s leading thinkers, policymakers, and business innovators, the Musevenomics Conference 2025 is more than just a policy dialogue—it is a catalyst for innovation and transformative development. As the country prepares for the 2026 elections, the event reaffirms the NRM’s vision for a prosperous, self-reliant Uganda, setting the groundwork for impactful and forward-looking policies.