Museveni challenges leaders to build Uganda’s middle class at ministers’ retreat

16 June 2026, 11:19 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

President Yoweri Museveni has urged leaders to focus on transforming Ugandans into a strong middle-income population as a key strategy for achieving sustainable national development.

Museveni made the remarks yesterday while officially opening the Ministers’ Induction Retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi District.

The 10-day retreat, organized by the Secretary to Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, is intended to equip ministers with the knowledge and skills required to effectively implement the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto for the 2026–2031 period under the theme, “No More Sleep, No More Corruption.”

The retreat is attended by the Vice President, the Prime Minister and her deputies, ministers, and permanent secretaries.

Addressing participants, President Museveni emphasized that transforming households into the middle class can only be achieved through economic empowerment and education.

“How do you transform people into the middle class? The NRM has told you two ways: through the economy and through education. If people are not educated, they cannot become middle class or sustain a middle-class society. Leaders must understand the targets for their respective areas and work towards achieving them. Some African countries attained independence decades ago but still struggle to feed themselves. This is what we are determined to combat through the teachings at Kyankwanzi,” Museveni said.

He further stressed the need to move citizens from subsistence production to participation in the money economy.

“We cannot continue to have people trapped in subsistence. Our focus is to move every household into the money economy through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT. Leaders must guide the people towards wealth creation, value addition and prosperity. We must build a middle class and a skilled working class. That is the benchmark by which leadership should be judged,” he added.

Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo reaffirmed government’s commitment to fighting corruption, promoting disciplined leadership and achieving Uganda’s development goals for the 2026–2031 period aimed at attaining upper middle-income status.

She highlighted agro-industrialization, value addition, tourism, science, technology and export promotion as key sectors that will drive economic growth.

Alupo also pledged continued government support for targeted poverty alleviation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and youth and women empowerment funds.

“We must work together in unity and harmony if we are to achieve our national development objectives and transform the lives of our people,” she said.

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja thanked President Museveni for entrusting the leaders with the responsibility of serving Ugandans and reaffirmed government’s commitment to implementing the country’s transformation agenda.

“We are fully committed to cohesion, discipline and collective responsibility in delivering the 2026–2031 NRM Manifesto and accelerating Uganda’s journey towards upper middle-income status,” Nabbanja said.

The retreat is expected to provide ministers and senior government officials with strategic guidance on policy implementation, service delivery and accountability as government embarks on the next phase of national development.