President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has unveiled an ambitious plan aimed at creating more than 105 million job opportunities through commercial agriculture during his new term in office.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, President Museveni said Uganda must fully utilise its vast agricultural potential by commercially exploiting at least seven million acres out of the country’s estimated 40 million acres of arable land.
Museveni explained that if properly implemented, commercial agriculture alone could generate over 105 million jobs, complementing other sectors such as manufacturing, which currently employs about 1.5 million people, as well as the ICT and services sectors.
The President also reiterated Uganda’s position on mineral beneficiation and value addition, stressing that the country must stop exporting raw materials without processing them locally.
On environmental management, Museveni called for sustainable utilisation of wetlands, while pledging to scale up irrigation schemes and fish farming projects for communities living near wetland areas.
He dismissed excuses from citizens who are not participating in income-generating activities, saying government has already provided financial support mechanisms under the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).
According to Museveni, government has established various cluster financing programmes aimed at empowering citizens and promoting financial inclusion across all sectors.
The President further urged Ugandans to use legal channels to deal with corrupt officials and individuals accused of diverting funds intended for community development programmes.
On politics and elections, Museveni called upon political parties under the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) to establish clear guidelines governing election management in line with the country’s electoral laws.
He cited incidents of violence during previous elections, which he attributed to some opposition actors from the National Unity Platform and the Forum for Democratic Change, saying such actions were unnecessary and disruptive to Uganda’s democratic process.
Museveni congratulated Ugandans and members of the ruling National Resistance Movement for what he described as a peaceful 2026 election victory. He called for active citizen participation in the new term, which he themed “No More Sleep.”
The President also applauded African countries that supported Uganda’s liberation struggle, including Mozambique and Tanzania, and rallied African nations to strengthen solidarity and unity.
Meanwhile, Burundi’s President and Chairperson of the African Union, Évariste Ndayishimiye, called on African countries to pursue joint strategic development initiatives and praised Museveni for promoting African unity.
Ndayishimiye congratulated Ugandans upon the successful elections and commended Museveni for his leadership vision for Uganda, East Africa, and the African continent.
He also recognised Uganda’s contribution to restoring peace and security in Burundi and praised Museveni’s role in regional peace efforts.
Several Heads of State attended the ceremony, including Brahim Ghali, Taye Atske Selassie, and Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
Other dignitaries present included Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, and Equatorial Guinea’s Prime Minister, Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua.
