Opinions after president Museveni delivers state of the nation address

6 June 2025, 10:33 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Under Article 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the president of Uganda is mandated to deliver to Parliament and the country at large, the state of the nation address (SONA). It is against this background that yesterday, president Yoweri Museveni who was accompanied by the first lady and minister of education and sports, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, delivered the state of the nation address and officially opened the 5th and last session of Parliament, at Kololo ceremonial grounds in Kampala.

While presiding over the session, the speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Annet Among, gave a brief of what the 11th Parliament, managed to do. “State of the nation address, is a historical opportunity for all patriots and people of goodwill to reflect on the collective achievements as a nation and take stock of the prevailing challenges and opportunities for the sustained growth of Uganda parliament has passed.” she said. Adding that they had so far held 76 Parliamentary sittings and also informed the president and the country that Parliament lost two sitting members of Parliament (MPs) i. e; Hon. Muhammad Segirinya and Hon. Sarah Matshete. Passed 35 bills, made 3 resolutions, and 53 reports were adopted.

According to the speaker, some of the Bills which were passed are; The national coffee Bill 2024, The National sports amendment Bill 2024, The Employment Bill 2023, The value added Tax Bill 2025, The stamp duty amendment Bill 2025, The UPDF Bill amendment 2025, The Appropriation Bill 2025, among others. “The 5th session will remain steadfast in effectively executing its mandate in furtherance if the country’s national vision 2040 that aims at transforming Uganda into a modern and prosperous nation within 30 years” she said.

In his address, the president said government is aiming at making Uganda a US Dollars 500 billion economy in the near future. Museveni also that government has completely banned the export of unprocessed minerals. “Exporting raw materials is Africa’s problem. This means we are donating all the benefits such as jobs and money to other countries. Uganda’s milk gas now increased to 5.4 billion liters as of 2024 from 25 billion liters in financial year 2017/18. Our priorities and interests are very clear and our allies must rest and uphold them in all our dealings” He said. The president also confirmed that with the continued implementation of parish department model (PDM), Government is on track to wipe out poverty.

The president also unveiled the fourth National Development plan IV which the speaker said, it is the country ‘s blueprint for transformation and sustainable development of the nation. Meanwhile, the Minister of public service, Mary Mugasa, said that the president’s speech was good and Ugandans, especially civil servants, should take it serious. Sewankambo Adrian, a business man Kikuubo, Kampala, said that, as local people, they expected the president to speak about the recent bomb incident in Munyonyo, but he didn’t. However, he is optimistic that the president will find a day and address the country about security as the country heads to the general elections.

Nyakato Vivian, a Ugandan citizen, said the president was expected to address issues like; government strategies to fight corruption, security issues, and why Ugandans who were arrested for political reasons are not forgiven, etc. “I was expecting the president to tell us that Ugandans who were arrested for political reasons, are not being released because of ABC, but I didn’t hear him say anything about political prisoners. What he said, was that when he returns for budget speech, he will speak about corruption” she said. Other people we managed to interact with, concerning (SONA), the majority said it is a wastage of government resources. The president is expected to deliver budget speech on 12th July 2025. The event was graced by the vice president; major (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister; Robinah Nabbanja, Ministers, former vice president; Edward Sekindi, former prime minister, former speakers, members of Parliament, diplomats, among others. The 11th Parliament is composed of 556 members; male MPs are 367 whereas female MPs are 189 in number.