President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended peace-loving Ugandans and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for sustaining national stability, describing peace as the cornerstone of Uganda’s progress and prosperity.
Speaking during the 63rd Independence Day celebrations held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the President said that all of Uganda’s achievements over the years are rooted in the peace and security established by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
“I salute the peace-loving Ugandans and the UPDF for ensuring peace in Uganda. All that is happening today is, first and foremost, because of the peace that exists. This peace is lubricated by our long-standing NRM policy of reconciliation and forgiveness, combined with our firm stand against crime,” President Museveni said.
The event was attended by the Deputy President of Kenya, ambassadors, government officials, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of Ugandans who joined in celebrating the nation’s continued journey of peace, unity, and development.
Museveni Welcomes Col Samson Mande Back Home
In a symbolic moment of reconciliation, President Museveni officially welcomed Col Samson Mande—a former comrade in the liberation struggle who had spent years in exile—back to Uganda.
“Even today, I am happy to welcome back into peaceful Uganda, Col Samson Mande, who had fled into exile on account of some internal intrigue. While in exile, he tried to engage in some rebel activities. However, when our cadres contacted him in Sweden, he happily agreed to come back and disconnect himself from the rebel activities,” the President announced.
He praised Mande’s decision to return home as a sign of maturity and confidence in Uganda’s peace and reconciliation agenda.
President Museveni also recalled Col Mande’s significant role in the liberation struggle, noting his contribution as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the TPDF under Major General Silas Mayunga in 1979, and later as commander of the 15th Battalion during the Siege of Masaka in 1985.
“I remember Samson Mande in 1979 operating as a volunteer scout under Major-General Silas Mayunga in Mbarara. Later, he did a good job as commander of the 15th Battalion during the Siege of Masaka and in other assignments. We welcome him back,” he said.
Col Mande expressed gratitude to the President and the government for the warm welcome, pledging to contribute toward peacebuilding and national unity.
Uganda’s Economic Transformation
Reflecting on Uganda’s journey since Independence, the President said that while the early post-independence decades were marked by turmoil and economic collapse, the NRM government has restored hope and prosperity through disciplined economic management and national stability.
“By the 10th Independence Anniversary, Uganda was under an envious dictatorship, and by the 20th, our economy had collapsed. People survived on magendo (black-market trading). But today, I am happy to inform Ugandans that by June 2026, our economy will have grown to USD 66.9 billion in nominal terms, or USD 197.9 billion in purchasing power parity,” the President said.
He projected that the economy will grow by 7% this financial year, and with the start of oil production, Uganda is poised to achieve double-digit growth.
“With our growing number of factories and increased local production, no one will stand in our way to development,” he declared.
Advancing Industrialisation and Regional Integration
President Museveni outlined Uganda’s progress through five phases of transformation — from minimum recovery, to expansion, diversification, value addition, and now technological advancement. He cited Kiira Motors as a prime example of Uganda’s innovation-driven industrial future.
The President emphasised that Uganda’s next focus must be on economic and political integration within the East African Community (EAC).
“What we need to work on now are two things — economic integration to ensure a large market, and political integration to form a federation of East Africa and, ultimately, Africa,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the spirit of reconciliation and unity that defines Uganda’s peace must also guide the region’s path toward collective growth and shared prosperity.
President Museveni concluded his Independence Day address by urging Ugandans to safeguard the peace and reconciliation that underpin the nation’s progress. “Our development is rooted in peace and reconciliation. We must continue to protect it and build upon it for the good of our country and future generations,” he said.
