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.
According to Byanyima, Besigye was once again in detention and had become gravely weakened after months of imprisonment and illness. His case, she said, was not simply about the persecution of one leader, but also served as a warning designed to raise the cost of opposing the government.