President Yoweri Museveni has declared that his new five-year term will focus on hard work, discipline and economic transformation, describing it as a period of “no more sleeping” for the country.
Speaking shortly after being sworn in for his seventh term at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Museveni said Ugandans must now fully embrace wealth creation, productivity and self-reliance.
“This Kisanja is called no more sleeping,” Museveni said. “It must be a wake-up call for every Ugandan to work hard and improve their household income.”
The President argued that families which embraced the ruling National Resistance Movement economic message had already improved their livelihoods, adding that the next phase of leadership would focus on ensuring more Ugandans benefit from development programmes.
Museveni outlined what he described as the seven major achievements or “bricks” laid by the NRM government over the years. These include ending sectarianism, expanding infrastructure, promoting wealth creation, creating jobs, improving service delivery, opening markets, and maintaining peace and security.
He stressed that economic growth cannot happen without reliable markets, saying regional integration remains critical for Uganda’s future.
“You cannot talk about development without markets,” Museveni said as he defended efforts toward East African and wider African integration.
According to the President, political and economic unity across Africa is important not only for trade and prosperity but also for ensuring long-term security and stability on the continent.
Museveni also used his speech to reflect on Uganda’s political landscape, saying the NRM has remained dominant because Ugandans rejected politics based on religion, tribe and division.
He claimed that the ruling party has not faced what he called a “serious ideological challenge” in the last seven presidential elections.
The President criticised the National Unity Platform and the Forum for Democratic Change, accusing them of promoting violence during the election period.
At the same time, he praised the Democratic Party and the Uganda People’s Congress for participating in the 2026 elections peacefully.
Museveni was declared winner of the January 15 presidential election after securing 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65 percent of the total vote.
His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine and leader of NUP, received 2,741,238 votes, representing 24.72 percent.
