President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially launched the NRM Manifesto for the period 2026–2031, pledging to protect the hard-earned achievements of the Movement and accelerate Uganda’s march to high middle–income status.
The colorful launch was attended by senior party leaders, ministers, Members of Parliament, and other guests who welcomed the Chairman’s message with excitement and confidence.
In his address, President Museveni thanked the people of Uganda and the Movement for entrusting him once again as the party’s flag bearer.
“This manifesto is not just a piece of paper. It is the story of the Movement and Uganda for the last sixty years. It is a guide for the next step of our journey,” he stated.
The President outlined seven key pillars of the new manifesto, framed under his ABCDE approach, to help leaders and wananchi understand the priorities clearly.
Peace and Security – Museveni reaffirmed that peace is the greatest gift of the NRM to Uganda.
“Our army is strong, nobody can bring war here. If they try, we shall finish them. The challenge now is crime, and leaders must not tolerate thieves or corrupt policemen,” he cautioned.
Infrastructure Development – The President emphasized the continued expansion of roads, electricity, railways, air transport, schools, and health centers as the backbone of social and economic transformation.
Wealth Creation – He encouraged every household to engage in productive enterprises, citing inspiring stories like Joseph Ijala, who transformed from a taxi conductor into a prosperous farmer earning over 1 billion shillings a year.
Jobs – The Chairman explained that jobs are created through wealth and production. “Public service employs 480,000, but factories already employ 1.2 million. Agriculture can employ even more,” he said, pointing to success stories of small farmers employing dozens of workers.
Service Delivery – Museveni pledged to strengthen the provision of health, education, and security services to ensure they match the growing needs of the people.
Markets – The Chairman underlined the importance of regional and continental markets for Uganda’s products. “The people who help me most are those who buy my milk, my beef, my bananas. That is why we emphasize East African integration,” he said.
Unity and Political Stability – He cautioned Ugandans against divisive tribal politics, calling it “the language of enemies of Africa,” and urged the people to focus on prosperity.
The NRM Chairman explained that all these areas are connected. “Peace leads to development, development leads to wealth, wealth creates jobs, jobs require services, and all these need markets. It is one chain,” he emphasized.
The manifesto, themed “Protecting the Gains and Ensuring a Qualitative Leap into High Middle–Income Status”, represents the NRM’s commitment to inclusive growth, social transformation, and sustainable prosperity.
“Our task is clear,” Museveni concluded. “We must protect the gains we have made and move forward. We have the foundation. Now is the time to achieve the leap.”
Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, the First National Vice Chairperson of the NRM, called for teamwork and discipline during the campaigns. He emphasized that the Movement would rely on its strong grassroots structures to mobilize support.
“Our structures know the people, they know the areas. Let us use them effectively. And let us remain disciplined as we go out to campaign,” Kigongo urged.
The Rt. Hon. Anita Among, Speaker of Parliament described the new manifesto as proof of the NRM’s unmatched ideological clarity and policy direction.
“As we embark on campaigns, I urge you all to acquaint yourselves with the major focus of the party in the next Kisanja and preach the gospel of protecting the gains,” she said.
Among highlighted the achievements in social services such as healthcare, education, and skilling; the rapid expansion of agro-industrialization with robust industrial zones in Kampala, Wakiso, Mbale, Soroti, Gulu, Lira, Arua, Hoima, Masindi, and Jinja; as well as the growth of financial services and micro-credit through youth, gender, and innovation funds.
“Let us comb every village, every parish, every sub-county, every district, and every region and preach the NRM gospel of protecting the gains of democratization, societal transformation, and development,” she concluded to loud applause.
The NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, reaffirmed the party’s ideological clarity and long-term vision for Uganda’s transformation.
“Political parties must align their policies to the key factors of production—land, capital, labour, entrepreneurship, and knowledge—to truly serve human interests and human endeavour,” he said.
He reminded members that the NRM has been consistent and systematic. “Each manifesto builds on the last, protecting the gains and making a qualitative leap into higher middle-income status. Our manifestos are social contracts with the masses, rooted in patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy,” he added.
Todwong pointed out that Uganda’s economy has doubled despite global shocks, and by the end of FY2025/26 it is projected to reach $66.1 billion adding that Poverty has fallen from 21.4% in 2016 to 16.1% in 2025, while subsistence households have reduced from 68.9% to 33.1%.
He also added that Uganda shilling has been the most stable currency in Africa during FY2024/25, gaining value as others depreciated.
He further noted that number of factories has expanded from 37,559 in 2020 to about 50,000 today, driving industrialization and jobs and Tourism earnings rebounding to $1.32 billion, with arrivals up to 1.37 million in FY2024.
On human development, he said Life expectancy has risen from 45 years in 1986 to 68 years today.
Infant mortality has dropped dramatically from 122 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1986 to just 28 in 2024.
School enrollment through Universal Primary Education has grown from 2.5 million in 1996 to 9.1 million learners by 2025.
Todwong called on Ugandans to remain focused on the unfinished task: “We must now create wealth for the remaining 33% of households still in subsistence production and stop donating jobs by exporting raw materials. Our next mission is clear: add value to our agriculture and minerals, resolve land use rights, and bring every Ugandan into the money economy.”
