President Yoweri Museveni has issued a tough warning to his newly appointed ministers, telling them there will be “no more excuses” as government intensifies efforts to transform Uganda into an upper middle-income country. Opening a 10-day Cabinet retreat at Kyankwanzi on Monday, Museveni reminded ministers that leadership is about sacrifice and service, not personal enrichment. […]
President Yoweri Museveni has issued a tough warning to his newly appointed ministers, telling them there will be “no more excuses” as government intensifies efforts to transform Uganda into an upper middle-income country.
Opening a 10-day Cabinet retreat at Kyankwanzi on Monday, Museveni reminded ministers that leadership is about sacrifice and service, not personal enrichment.
“This is a place of sacrifice. The NRM is a party of sacrifice. People who let us down are people looking for their own things,” the President told ministers.
Museveni said he was concerned by what he called declining political awareness among leaders and warned that some individuals had infiltrated government institutions over the years seeking wealth, favors and personal advancement.
“I have noticed a decline in political awareness among leaders. In order to help yourself, you must understand how to help your people,” he said.
The President spent much of his address explaining Uganda’s economic journey, arguing that the country’s future depends on moving citizens out of subsistence farming and into commercial production.
He criticized the colonial economic model which focused on exporting raw materials and said Uganda must now prioritize value addition, industrialization and wealth creation.
“We must move our people from subsistence production into the money economy and build a modern society,” Museveni said.
The President insisted that peasants must disappear from Uganda, saying every household should become either middle class or part of a skilled working class.
“In this Kisanja, I do not want any excuses. The challenge is socio-economic transformation. Peasants must disappear from Uganda. They must become either middle class or skilled middle class,” he declared.
Museveni pointed to commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT as the sectors that will drive Uganda’s economic revolution.
He also urged ministers to leave their offices and work directly with communities to ensure government programmes improve people’s lives.
Vice President Jessica Alupo backed the President’s message and promised a stronger fight against corruption.
“We shall confront corruption and deliver diligently,” she said.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja echoed the call, telling ministers that the era of complacency was over.
“The theme of this retreat directly aligns with your call: no more sleep, no more corruption,” Nabbanja said.
Head of Public Service Lucy Nakyobe delivered perhaps the strongest warning of the day, urging ministers to stop relaxing and focus on results.
“The President has sounded a wake-up call. You must all go to the field and work there. No more time for relaxing and rolling away your chairs,” she said.
The retreat at Kyankwanzi will run for 10 days and is expected to equip ministers with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver government programmes and help Uganda achieve its ambitious economic targets.
