Museveni Urges African Parties to Prioritise Wealth Creation Over Political Rhetoric

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on African political parties to focus on wealth creation, science, technology and job creation if the continent is to overcome poverty and safeguard its independence.

The President made the remarks on the evening of Tuesday, May 12, 2026, during a fraternal dinner organised by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat at Kampala Serena Hotel, following his inauguration earlier in the day.

The dinner brought together delegations from several African political parties and diplomatic representatives who had attended the swearing-in ceremony.

President Museveni said African political parties are historically connected through the continent’s shared struggle against colonialism and imperialism.

“I thank you for joining us for the inauguration ceremony and for this fraternal dinner. We are linked by history and by the struggle against colonialism and imperialism,” he said.

The President traced Africa’s historical relationship with Europe to 1453, when the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, blocking the overland trade route between Western Europe and Asia. He said this forced European powers to seek alternative sea routes, eventually leading to the colonisation of much of Africa.

“By 1900, almost the whole of Africa had been colonised, except for a few countries, mainly because of our own weaknesses,” he noted.

President Museveni urged African leaders and political organisations to move beyond what he described as “shallow analysis” and instead focus on understanding why Africa “missed the bus of history.”

“We should share experiences on how Africa can rectify its historical mistakes and ensure our people harness nature through science, technology and commercial agriculture to get out of poverty,” he said.

He warned that weak economies expose African countries to external vulnerability and domination.

“If our economies do not perform well, then we shall become vulnerable again,” he cautioned.

The President emphasised that sustainable liberation must go hand in hand with socio-economic transformation.

“We must discuss how our people will create wealth, get jobs and improve their standards of living, because political freedom alone cannot sustain society without economic strength,” he added.

Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo congratulated President Museveni upon his swearing-in and thanked leaders, party structures, and security agencies for their role in ensuring the success of the inauguration ceremony.

“Once again, I warmly congratulate President Museveni upon his swearing-in earlier today,” she said.

She commended the leadership of the NRM at all levels, the security agencies, and the party secretariat for their mobilisation efforts and continued support.

H.E. Alupo emphasised that political organisations remain relevant only when they respond to the socio-economic needs of citizens.

“We must add wealth creation to our struggle, because if we do not, our people will remain trapped in poverty and unemployment,” she said.

She noted that government programmes such as the Parish Development Model are designed to support households through affordable financing and commercial production.

“There is no way the government alone can create jobs for everyone. Communities must be supported to engage in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and small-scale industries,” she added.

H.E. Alupo further urged political leaders across Africa to prioritise economic empowerment and security as pillars of sustainable development.

Meanwhile, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Secretary General of Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), commended Uganda for strengthening Pan-African solidarity through continued engagement with sister political parties across the continent.

She congratulated President Museveni upon his inauguration and praised Uganda’s contribution to regional peace, stability, and African unity.

“We congratulate President Museveni and the people of Uganda on this successful inauguration. Uganda continues to play a significant role in promoting African unity and regional integration,” she said.

Dr. Migiro called on African political parties to continue working together to promote economic transformation, peace, ideological clarity, industrialisation, education, and job creation.

“Our parties must remain focused on improving the livelihoods of our people through economic cooperation and sustainable development,” she added.

Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement, welcomed the visiting delegations and thanked them for standing in solidarity with Uganda during President Museveni’s inauguration.

He said the fraternal dinner symbolised the long-standing historical and ideological ties among liberation movements across Africa.

“On behalf of the National Resistance Movement Secretariat and the people of Uganda, I thank all our fraternal parties and delegations for honouring our invitation and standing with us during this important occasion,” he said.

Rt. Hon. Todwong noted that many African ruling parties were born out of liberation struggles aimed at ending colonialism, oppression, and underdevelopment.

“Our parties share a common history rooted in the struggle for freedom, dignity, and self-determination of the African people,” he said.

He commended President Museveni for providing ideological leadership on the continent and for consistently championing Pan-Africanism, regional integration, and socio-economic transformation.

The NRM, he added, remains committed to strengthening cooperation with sister political parties in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across Africa.