In the State of the Nation Address in Uganda in 2024, H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) emphasised historical missions and principles. The address highlighted the need for prosperity, strategic security, and leveraging African unity to achieve these goals. It also focused on the importance of sustainable production and selling of goods and services for prosperity.
Furthermore, the principles of patriotism and pan-Africanism were underscored as essential for Uganda’s economic development.
The address discussed the importance of accessing the East African, African, and global markets to sell surplus production, such as sugar, milk, cement, and steel products. It emphasised the significance of East and Central Africa, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) area, as major buyers of Ugandan goods and services.
Additionally, the address outlined the NRM’s ideological principles and the five phases of Uganda’s economic and societal evolution, from the minimum economic recovery phase to the knowledge economy. It also noted the impressive growth of Uganda’s economy, from USD 1.5 billion in 1986 to USD 55 billion using the forex exchange method.
The address acknowledged the existence of trade barriers in the East African Community (EAC) hindering prosperity and emphasised the need for their removal. It also discussed initiatives such as Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), the National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS), and the country’s potential limited space programme for overhead observation and communication.
Moreover, the address highlighted historical missions for the African people, linguistic linkages among African groups, and achievements in uniting Ugandans. It urged active pan-Africanism and unity in the struggle for political federation and economic integration.
In the 4th Session of the 11th Parliament, the Executive is planning to present new bills for enactment into law. The session was officially declared open, with blessings for Uganda and Africa.
Below is the full address.
