President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially launched the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) manifesto for the 2026 general elections, putting focus on job creation and economic growth as the next phase of Uganda’s development.
In a rally attended by thousands of supporters at Speke Resort Munyonyo, on 29th September, Museveni talked about household wealth generation, infrastructure development, and expanding employment opportunities.
“We have achieved peace and stability, but now the next challenge is to ensure that the prosperity reaches every home,” Museveni stated.
The President’s manifesto highlighted the vast potential of Uganda’s 40 million acres of arable land, which he argued could create over 105 million jobs if fully utilized.
“There will be so many jobs that even refugees in the camps will get out and work,” he said.
However, he voiced concerns about the outflow of Ugandans seeking employment in the Middle East, suggesting that Uganda should become the destination for foreign workers instead.
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“The Middle East should be coming here to work, not the other way around,” Museveni said.
Beyond job creation, Museveni called for stricter enforcement of security laws, particularly in tackling theft and corruption that undermines programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Any thief who steals properties of the villages must go to jail and stay there,” he warned.
The Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson Rt Hon Anita Among praised President Museveni’s visionary leadership and consistency, saying the NRM’s evolution from the 10-Point Programme has been deliberate and transformative.
“It is now time for us to protect the gains we have registered in the transformation of our beloved country,” she emphasized.
The NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong explained that the 2026–2031 manifesto, themed “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into Higher Middle-Income Status”, builds systematically on past manifestos.
Reflecting on the party’s history, Rt Hon Todwong reminded members that NRM manifestos have evolved consistently since 1986, beginning with the famous 10-Point Programme that emphasized democracy, security, national unity, elimination of sectarianism, economic independence, and social services restoration.
From “Tackling the Tasks Ahead” in 1996, to “Prosperity for All” in 2006, “Peace, Unity and Transformation for Prosperity” in 2011, “Steady Progress” in 2016, and “Securing Your Future” in 2021, the NRM has maintained consistency, he argued.
“The size of the economy has doubled in spite of global shocks such as COVID-19 and disruption in external markets,” Rt Hon Todwong said
The manifesto reaffirms government investment in programs such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, which Museveni said will receive more funds to lift the remaining 33% of households out of subsistence farming.
