Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has urged citizens to take advantage of government-backed development programmes, saying expanded access to low-cost financing and infrastructure investment are key to accelerating wealth creation and transforming rural economies.
Speaking during the State of the Nation Address at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Museveni said the government had invested 1.6 trillion shillings (US$420 million) in the Uganda Development Bank to support farmers, manufacturers and small-scale entrepreneurs.
He said the financing was already helping to stimulate commercial agriculture and industrial activity in various parts of the country.
“Once people have woken up from sleep and they want low-cost capital, if Shs100 million per parish per annum or any of the other funds is not enough, we can increase the money by adjusting from other areas,” Museveni said.
The president highlighted flagship programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, which provide revolving funds to households and small businesses at sub-county level.
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He said the initiatives were designed to move citizens from subsistence livelihoods into the “money economy” by encouraging investment in agriculture, ICT, manufacturing and services.
Museveni linked the programmes to his ruling National Resistance Movement’s 10-point plan, particularly the goal of building an independent and self-sustaining economy driven by production and market expansion.
He said the government had studied rural landholding patterns and promoted agricultural models tailored to both small and large-scale farmers, including intensified smallholder production.
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“I studied the whole country and recommended intensive agriculture for people with small pieces of land and extensive agriculture for people with big pieces of land,” he said.
The president also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation of the metre-gauge railway and plans for a standard gauge line, which he said would improve logistics by shifting heavy cargo from roads to rail.
He added that regional cooperation with Kenya and Tanzania on pipeline development would further support the transport of petroleum products.
“This will move heavy cargo away from the roads to the railway and the petroleum products from the road to the pipeline. That leaves the roads for only passengers and light cargo,” Museveni said.
Museveni stressed the importance of expanding export markets beyond Uganda, citing large economies such as China and India as key destinations for future agricultural and industrial output.
He also reaffirmed support for regional integration under the East African Community and broader African economic cooperation, describing them as essential for long-term prosperity.
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“The Pan-African agenda aimed at economic integration of Africa in a continental market for the prosperity of Africans… for wealth creators of Uganda, most of these factors are in place,” he said.
The president told lawmakers that government would present 38 bills, policy frameworks and statutory instruments in the 2026/2027 financial year aimed at strengthening governance and improving service delivery.
He also called on legislators to promote awareness of government financing schemes and ensure communities take full advantage of available development funds.
“There is no more corruption. There is no more politeness towards non-performers,” Museveni said, adding that leadership must be accountable to citizens and focused on results.
Analysts say Uganda’s development agenda continues to rely heavily on state-led financing and agricultural transformation, though concerns remain over implementation efficiency and equitable access to credit in rural areas.
