KYANKWANZI RETREAT: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI OUTLINES 10 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES TO EXPAND UGANDA’S ECONOMY TENFOLD

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today outlined ten strategic
priorities aimed at expanding Uganda’s economy tenfold, urging leaders
to focus on wealth creation and solving real societal problems.

The President made the remarks during the ongoing retreat of newly
elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and the party -leaning
independents at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi.
Addressing the legislators, President Museveni said the priorities are
guided by the Fourth National Development Plan (NDPIV) and are
critical for transforming Uganda into a modern economy.

“To achieve the NDPIV objectives, the government will prioritise strategic
interventions that expand the economy and improve livelihoods,”
President Museveni said.

The remarks followed presentations by officials from the National
Planning Authority (NPA), including Executive Chairperson Dr Pamela
Mbabazi and Executive Director Dr. Joseph Muvawala.

The President emphasised commercial agriculture and value addition as
central to economic growth, noting that Uganda must move away from
exporting raw materials.

“If we add value to products like coffee—through roasting, grinding and
packaging—we can earn much more compared to exporting it in raw
form,” he explained.

He also highlighted the need to monetise the economy through initiatives
such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, to bring
more Ugandans into the money economy.

President Museveni underscored the importance of investing in the
knowledge economy, particularly science, technology and innovation.
“We must invest in science and technology, including producing
vaccines, automobiles and electronics,” he said.

President Museveni further pointed to key infrastructure investments,
including high-speed rail, the metre gauge railway, and energy systems
to support industrialization, as well as industrial parks and export
processing zones.

The President also stressed the need to reduce the cost of borrowing
through institutions such as the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) and
Uganda Development Corporation (UDC).

On social services, he called for cost-effective interventions to expand
access to education and healthcare.

“We must ensure every parish has a primary school and every sub-
county has a secondary school, while strengthening preventive
healthcare,” he said.

Other priority areas include investment in the creative industry,
preparations for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), and infrastructure
development in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

President Museveni also addressed urban challenges, particularly traffic
congestion.

“Traffic jams in Kampala require significant investment, but we shall
solve them,” he assured, adding that corruption must be decisively
tackled.

On his part, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilization, Mr.
Moses Byaruhanga who presented a paper on mobilization and service
delivery, emphasized that leadership requires a practical approach to
problem-solving.

“Leaders must diagnose societal challenges and provide solutions, just
like a doctor treats a patient,” he said.

Mr. Byaruhanga urged legislators to focus on identifying and solving
community challenges.

“As leaders, you must understand the problems affecting society and
work towards providing solutions,” he advised.