President Museveni “Here Is What I Will Do If You Elect Me For The 7th Term

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy, positioning science, technology, and innovation at the core of Uganda’s development agenda as he eyes the 7th term.

In a series of recent addresses, including his 2025 State of the Nation Address, Museveni emphasized a strategic shift away from raw commodity exports toward value addition, industrialization, and technological advancement.

The President’s vision is anchored on four key pillars: agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral and oil value addition, and science and technology. He underscored the potential of these sectors to collectively unlock over $100 billion in additional economic value.

For instance, value addition in agriculture alone could yield up to $20 billion, while tourism, if fully tapped, could contribute more than $50 billion. Mineral processing and oil refining are projected to add $25 billion, and advancements in science and technology—particularly in electric mobility, biotech, and vaccine development—are expected to significantly bolster Uganda’s economy.

Museveni praised the evolution of Uganda’s export base, noting that the country has moved beyond traditional crops such as coffee, cotton, and tea to producing and exporting more complex goods like medicines, ICT equipment, gas turbines, and batteries.

Citing a Harvard Economic Growth Lab study, he pointed out that Uganda had added 20 new products to its export basket in the past decade and has the capacity to expand into 50 more sophisticated products with the right investments and policy direction.

Among the standout examples of innovation in Uganda is Kiira Motors, a government-supported automotive manufacturer based in Jinja that has developed Africa’s first hybrid and solar-powered buses. The company symbolizes the potential of homegrown innovation to create jobs and reduce import dependence.

Similarly, vaccine development initiatives at Gulu University and biotech programs supported by Makerere University are part of the government’s broader strategy to leverage science for public health and economic growth.

To support this transition, Museveni pledged increased funding for applied research and innovation. The government has already committed UGX 30 billion toward prototype development, especially in areas such as biotechnology and animal feeds. He challenged universities to focus more on applied sciences and commercialization of research, urging a closer alignment between academia, industry, and government.

Despite global economic headwinds, Uganda has shown resilient growth. The economy expanded from a GDP of $4 billion in 1986 to $60.4 billion in 2025. The country has maintained a steady growth rate of around 6.3%, with projections of 7.0% in the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Inflation has been kept in check at 3.6%, while poverty levels have dropped from 20% to 16%, and access to clean water has improved to 81%.

However, Museveni did not shy away from addressing internal challenges. He warned of sabotage from within, including elements in the military and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who he claimed were undermining national progress. He vowed to confront these internal threats just as firmly as external ones, asserting that Uganda’s transformation could not be derailed by “parasites.”

The President also stressed the importance of regional cooperation in science and trade. Uganda is working closely with South Africa and other African nations to enhance collaboration in biosciences, mathematics, energy, and space science. These partnerships are expected to further strengthen Uganda’s capacity to lead in research and technology within the continent.

Museveni’s long-term goal is to grow Uganda’s economy to $500 billion by 2040, transforming it into a regional powerhouse driven by innovation and knowledge. While skeptics caution that achieving such a vision will require deep institutional reforms and consistent leadership, the government’s investments and policy commitments suggest a serious intent to move beyond rhetoric.

In charting this bold path forward, Museveni’s administration has set the stage for a new era in Uganda—one where homegrown innovation, value-added exports, and scientific research define the nation’s growth trajectory. The coming years will reveal whether this vision can be fully realized and if Uganda can truly become a leading knowledge-based economy in Africa.