By Nathan Eyagu 

Soroti City — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to focus on wealth creation and national unity rather than engaging in divisive politics. Speaking during an interaction with journalists from the Teso sub-region at the State Lodge in Soroti City today's evening, the President emphasized that Uganda’s future prosperity depends on productive citizens and a stable, united nation.

The engagement centered on the President’s 2026–2031 Manifesto, which is anchored on key pillars: Peace, Development, Wealth Creation, Jobs, Service Delivery, Market Access, and Political Integration. These, he said, form the foundation of the National Resistance Movement’s vision for consolidating Uganda’s progress under the theme #ProtectingTheGains.

President Museveni cautioned against political and ethnic divisions, saying they distract the country from addressing the real needs of the population — such as poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment.

“Every Ugandan, regardless of tribe or religion, has the same needs — food, income, roads, health, and education,” he said. “So why divide people? Instead of fighting over politics, let’s focus on solving their shared challenges.”

He added that the NRM’s success in establishing lasting peace and stability since 1986 stems from uniting Ugandans under a single national vision rather than fragmented party politics.

Peace and Strong Institutions

Museveni cited peace as Uganda’s greatest achievement and a continuing priority. He credited the country’s stability to “clear politics” and the building of professional national institutions such as the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the police, and the intelligence services.

“Our peace came because we built a national army that looks at performance, not tribe or religion,” he said. “If you are a good soldier, you are welcome. If you are not, go home.”

The President also highlighted Uganda’s contribution to regional peace efforts in Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Wealth Creation as the Next Frontier

Turning to the economy, Museveni emphasized that development is not complete without wealth creation at the household level. He urged Ugandans to engage in productive activities such as farming, manufacturing, and trade to increase their incomes and purchasing power.

“People talk about roads and schools — which are good — but they forget the most important thing: wealth,” he said. “When citizens produce and buy goods, they contribute to taxes and the growth of the economy.”

He criticized the culture of dependency, stressing that self-reliance and hard work are the true paths to sustainable development.

Expanding Markets and Regional Integration

President Museveni also identified market access as a critical area of focus for the next five years. With Uganda’s production capacity growing, he said, finding regional and international markets is essential to sustaining economic progress.

“Uganda has woken up and started producing, but now our problem is markets,” he explained. “That is why we must embrace East African and African integration — those who oppose unity are enemies of our future.”

Service Delivery and Jobs

The President reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving service delivery in key sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. He said the government will continue investing in programs that create jobs and empower youth and women to participate fully in the economy.

‘Protecting the Gains’

Concluding his remarks, Museveni called on Ugandans to safeguard the achievements made over the last three decades, reminding citizens that peace, stability, and prosperity must be protected and expanded.

“From 1986 to now, we have achieved a lot. Our task is to protect those gains and ensure that every Ugandan benefits from the progress we have made,” he said.

The President’s engagement in Soroti is part of his ongoing regional consultations aimed at explaining the core principles of his forthcoming Manifesto and inspiring Ugandans to take an active role in nation-building.