Museveni Hails UPDF, Citizens for Upholding Peace as Uganda Marked 63 Years of Independence

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has saluted peace-loving Ugandans and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for ensuring sustained stability across the country, describing peace as the foundation upon which Uganda’s progress stands.

Speaking during the 63rd Independence Day celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Thursday, President Museveni said all the achievements Uganda enjoys today are largely attributed to the prevailing peace and security.

The national celebration was graced by the Deputy President of Kenya, ambassadors, government officials, religious and cultural leaders, among other dignitaries, who joined Ugandans in marking the country’s continued journey of peace and development.

“I need to salute the peace-loving Ugandans and the UPDF for ensuring peace in Uganda. All that is happening is, first and foremost, on account of the peace that is available. This peace is lubricated by the long-standing NRM policy of reconciliation and forgiveness, on top of our firm stand against crime,” President Museveni said.

The President emphasized that the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) policy of forgiveness and reconciliation has been central in uniting Ugandans, rebuilding relationships, and fostering national stability over the years.

In a significant moment during the celebrations, President Museveni welcomed back his former comrade, Col. Samson Mande, who had been living in exile for years after falling out with the government. The President hailed his return as a testament to Uganda’s openness and reconciliatory spirit.

“Even today, I am happy to welcome back into peaceful Uganda, Col. Samson Mande, who had fled into exile on account of, apparently, some internal intrigue,” the President said.
“While in exile, he tried to engage in some rebel activities. When, however, our cadres contacted him in Sweden, he happily agreed to come back and disconnect himself from the rebel activities.”

President Museveni recalled Col. Mande’s contribution to Uganda’s liberation struggle, noting his service as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) under Major General Silas Mayunga in 1979, and later as commander of the 15th Battalion during the Siege of Masaka in 1985.

“I remember Samson Mande in 1979 operating as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the TPDF under Major General Silas Mayunga in Mbarara. I was commanding the 9,000-strong Fronasa fighting force. Later, Mande did a good job as commander of the 15th Battalion in the Siege of Masaka in 1985 and in subsequent assignments. We welcome him,” the President said.

Reflecting on Uganda’s six-decade journey, President Museveni said that by the country’s 10th Independence Anniversary, Uganda had fallen under “envious dictatorship,” and by the 20th anniversary, the small economy built on three Cs and three Ts — coffee, cotton, copper, and tobacco, tea, and tourism, had collapsed. He noted that Ugandans then survived on magendo (black-market trading) and forex rackets until the NRM came to power to rescue the country.

“I am happy to inform Ugandans that by June 2026, the economy of Uganda will have grown to USD 66.9 billion in size using the forex exchange method, or USD 197.9 billion using the purchasing power parity method,” he said.
“In this financial year, the economy will grow by seven percent, and after the flow of oil, it will grow by double digits.”

President Museveni said Uganda’s industrial growth is now irreversible, citing the rise of factories and local production of goods as proof that “no one will stand in our way to development.”

He outlined Uganda’s five phases of transformation, from minimum recovery, expansion, diversification, value addition, and now technological advancement, highlighting Kiira Motors as an example of the country’s industrial progress.

The President further emphasized the importance of economic and political integration within the East African Community (EAC) to strengthen markets and ensure collective growth.

“What we need to work on now are two issues, economic integration of East Africa to ensure a big market, and political integration of East Africa resulting in a political federation of our region and the whole of Africa,” he said.
“The remaining part is to engage with our brothers and sisters from Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Burundi, Congo, and Somalia to strengthen our market.”

President Museveni concluded by reiterating that Uganda’s progress rests on peace and reconciliation nurtured under the NRM government, urging all Ugandans to safeguard and build upon it.

In his brief remarks, Col. Samson Mande thanked the President and government for welcoming him back, pledging to support ongoing efforts toward peace and national unity.