Uganda is A Very Democratic Country — Museveni

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said the reason the NRM has succeeded in the struggle and in power is because of its ideology that enabled it to diagnose societal problems and give prescriptions that ended the neglect, apathy, mismanagement and institutional inefficiency that had eroded the country’s image.

“Uganda and many African countries had a lot of problems mainly ideological. If you don’t have the right ideological campus you lose direction. The reason we have succeeded both in the struggle and power is because of ideology. We were able to diagnose problems of the society and find prescriptions. We rejected sectarianism of religion and tribe and advocated for patriotism. Our answer was don’t think religion, tribe, man, woman but as a patriot who loves their country,” he said.

The President who is also the National Chairman of the NRM, the largest political party in the country was yesterday speaking during celebrations to mark the 32^nd NRM Day at Boma Grounds, Arua Municipality in Arua district.

Museveni who was in a jovial mood said that through the NRM’s principles of patriotism and pan Africanism, government has been able to promote unity, and guarantee prosperity and better security.

“When one is patriotic they are motivated to work for the development of their country. The vision of the NRM is to transform Uganda from a peasant society to a middle class society through business and economic activities,” he said.

He said that NRM government has been able to change society through two stimuli: education and liberalization. “Through the introduction of Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education we have been able to reduce literacy levels from 45% to 78%,” he said.

He added that liberalization helped create the middle class by removing government monopoly of business such as hotels, transport and imports.

“Government freed space for the private sector to do business. There was a government company called Uganda Hotels that owned all hotels in the country. When we removed this company, the private sector was able to take over that space thus the many hotels in the country,” he said.

President Museveni said that government would continue to improve the infrastructure in the country such as roads, dams and hospitals to enable the private sector to make profit.

A word of the wise to the youth

The President said youth without land will be supported by the government to engage in wealth creation ventures but urged them to be disciplined and work collectively.

He said youth could be transformed from jobless or property less to job owner or property owner.

“I have already tested this in other parts of the country. But youth need to be disciplined – no drugs, alcohol, prostitution etc. Such misbehavior can not help youth. You can’t say you take drugs because you are frustrated, how will that stop your frustration? It will just take you to the grave,” he said.

Job creation and import substitution

President Museveni urged Ugandans to focus more on locally made products instead of relying on imports.

“How can you say we have no wealth when we spend almost US$8bn on imports? Imports is spending our money enriching those countries where we buy TVs, phones, transformers, electricity metres, shoes textiles etc. Today I compromised to put on a suit but am not really a fan of suits. I don’t want to make myself a market for other people, that is why I put on my Nytil. I want to alert you that am going to throw away these suits,” he said, adding that every time Ugandans buy foreign products, they throw away jobs.

“Our purchasing power must enrich us not other people.”

Uganda one of most democratic countries

President Yoweri Museveni said the culture of democracy is permanently engraved in our systems.

“Uganda is one of the most democratic countries in the world and am not about to get any lecture from anybody. We have expanded the political spectrum to include, women, youth, disabled, workers, soldiers etc, so who can give us a lecture on democracy? When you meet others, give them the lecture, don’t take one,” he said.

Social discipline, road codes undermining development

The President appealed to Ugandans to learn social discipline for peaceful co-existence.

“As Uganda is developing.. and it is developing faster with new technology and innovations, I appeal to Ugandans to learn social discipline,” he said, singling out boda boda riders and taxi drivers who he said have become menaces to other road users and undermine efforts to attract other people to our cities.

“Uganda is one of the most peaceful societies. There are a few criminals that will be eliminated as we improve our infrastructure but the indiscipline will scare people away. Traffic police must insist on proper road codes. Don’t drive on pavements or sidewalks for pedestrians. This will enhance our reputation internationally that Uganda is safe, staple and disciplined. We already have a record of being the most welcoming people,” he said.

Role of West Nile in the liberation struggle

President Museveni thanked the people of West Nile for their contribution to the peace enjoyed in the country. “When we entered West Nile, the elders welcomed us in Nebbi and slaughtered a white sheep and we made peace. Even when Joseph Kony of the Lord Resistance Movement (LRA) was killing people in the West Nile, the people refused to join him,” he said.

The President also presented a total of 311 medals: 78 Golden Jubilee medals, 5 Rwenzori medals, 166 Nalubaale medals, 5 Honorary Medals, 6 Century Plus medals and 10 Silver Century medals to people who have contributed to the development of the country. Among these were the Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga and Police Spokesperson Emiliano Kayima.

The Vice President Edward Ssekandi, the Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, the Commander of the Defense Forces General David Muhoozi, the first deputy Prime Minister Kirunda Kivejinja, second deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali, the Deputy Chief Justice Alfonso Owiny Dollo, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, the deputy speaker of parliament Jacob Oulanyah, Minister of Finance Matia Kasaijja, the Commissioner General of Prison Johnson Byabasaijja, the deputy Inspector General of Police Martin Achola, NRM Deputy Secretary General Richard Todwong, NRM Deputy Treasurer Kenneth Omona and heads of diplomatic missions attended the celebrations.