Museveni Says 70% of Ugandans Now in Money Economy as he Marks 40 Years of NRM Rule

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said that 70 percent of Ugandans are now participating in the money economy, a development he attributed to four decades of National Resistance Movement (NRM) rule and government-led wealth creation programmes aimed at moving households out of subsistence livelihoods.

Speaking at the 40th Liberation Day celebrations held at Kololo National Ceremonial Grounds on January 26, 2026, President Museveni said Uganda’s economic transformation had progressed steadily from post-war recovery to diversification, value addition, and the gradual emergence of a knowledge-based economy.

The celebrations, held under the theme “Tribute to the Patriots who ushered in a fundamental change,” came days after President Museveni was declared winner of the recently concluded presidential elections, in which he secured 71 percent of the vote.

In his address, President Museveni thanked God and Ugandans for the successful completion of the electoral process.

“I thank God for having seen us through this big exercise of elections. Secondly, I salute all Ugandans for participating in the elections. I thank all the NRM members for supporting the NRM and its flag bearers,” he said.

While describing the election outcome as a major political victory, the President expressed concern over what he termed low voter turnout among NRM supporters.

According to President Museveni, although he received about eight million votes, party records indicated that more supporters were eligible to vote.

“We are celebrating a big victory in politics. I got eight million votes, but ten million of my supporters did not turn up to vote,” he said, citing challenges encountered during the party’s registration and voters’ register verification exercises.

He explained that although the NRM had registered about 21 million supporters—18 million of whom were ready to vote—only eight million initially appeared on the Electoral Commission register. Although the party later ensured that at least 14 million supporters were registered, many did not cast their ballots.

President Museveni attributed the low turnout to intimidation by opposition supporters and indiscipline within sections of the NRM leadership.

“I hear the opposition wasting time talking nonsense. They are lucky because not all of my supporters turned up. If they had all turned up, there would be no opposition in Uganda,” he said.

He alleged that some NRM supporters were threatened and attacked during the campaign period, while law enforcement agencies failed to respond decisively.

Turning to the economy, President Museveni said Uganda was growing at about seven percent annually and projected faster growth once oil production begins.

“The economy is moving very fast, growing at seven percent now, and with the oil, we are going to go into double digits. This year, your oil will start flowing,” he said, adding that Uganda had resisted external attempts to control its petroleum resources.

However, he acknowledged that a significant portion of the population remains engaged in subsistence production. At independence in 1962, he said, only about nine percent of Ugandans participated in the money economy.

Progress remained slow until the introduction of wealth creation initiatives such as Entandikwa and later Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), under which the Uganda People’s Defence Forces distributed agricultural inputs nationwide.

By 2013, he said, only 32 percent of households were in the money economy. This led to the introduction of OWC, which raised participation to 61 percent by 2019.

Concerns over elite capture of government programmes prompted the introduction of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which channels funds directly to communities.

According to President Museveni, participation in the money economy has now risen to 70 percent, leaving about 30 percent still outside.

“We don’t want a country of 70 percent rich people while 30 percent are poor,” he said, warning against misuse of PDM funds.

He cited cases in which parish officials and committees diverted funds for personal gain and said PDM guidelines would be amended, funding increased—particularly in urban areas—and accountability strengthened.

He warned that parish chiefs who violate PDM guidelines would be arrested, noting that officials in Buwambo, Maracha, and Iganga had already been apprehended.

Beyond PDM, President Museveni said the government would continue supporting boda boda riders, ghetto youth, unemployed graduates, cultural and religious leaders, and political leaders at the parish level to ensure inclusive wealth creation.

Once household incomes improve, he said, government investment in education, health, and infrastructure—particularly rural road maintenance—would be intensified.

On governance, President Museveni said the fight against corruption would extend to the judiciary, praising Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija for taking a firm stance.

He dismissed claims that Uganda has not changed over the last 40 years, outlining five phases of economic recovery and transformation since 1986, including diversification, industrialisation, and the transition to a knowledge economy.

He cited growth in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT, and noted that locally manufactured goods now dominate supermarket shelves.

“That’s why somebody told me that when you go to the supermarkets now, 65 percent of the products are made in Uganda,” he said.

He also highlighted progress in industrialisation, citing the Kiira Motors project, whose vehicles recently completed a return journey to South Africa.

The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, congratulated President Museveni on his re-election, describing the NRM’s 40-year journey as transformative and calling for unity in national development.

During the ceremony, 33 Ugandans were awarded national medals for their contribution to the liberation struggle and national development.

January 26 marks the day in 1986 when National Resistance Army fighters captured Kampala, ending the rule of the UNLA junta led by the late Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa. President Museveni was subsequently sworn in as Uganda’s ninth President.

The event was attended by Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, senior government officials, diplomats, religious and cultural leaders, and former national leaders.