The President emphasised the need to ensure that economic growth translates into improved household incomes, citing government programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Can you have a strong army and a strong and safe country without a strong economy? Can you have a strong defence force and a strong and safe country without cohesive politics? Finally, can you have a strong defence force and a strong and safe country without, in some cases, addressing the issue of geo-strategic location such as being landlocked?” President Museveni asked.
To strengthen the regional response, Museveni proposed establishing Ebola treatment centres inside eastern DRC in partnership with the Congolese government.
“We are to demand performance from both the NRM and the opposition. As long as you are getting money from the government, you must check what is happening on the ground,” Museveni said.
Regional health experts say East African governments are increasingly treating epidemic preparedness as both a public health and economic security priority.
Nexus Media has verified the authenticity of a presidential statement confirming the postponement of this year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations due to Ebola concerns connected to Eastern Congo.