By Karim Were
President Yoweri Museveni has mounted a strong defence of his nearly four decades in power, dismissing claims that Uganda has spent 40 years “wandering in the wilderness” under his leadership.
Speaking during the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, Museveni responded directly to a recent opinion article by Daily Monitor columnist Gawaya Tegulle, which questioned the country’s progress since the National Resistance Movement (NRM) took power in 1986.
The President accused the columnist of misleading the public and overlooking what he described as Uganda’s significant social, economic and infrastructure gains achieved over the years. Museveni argued that the country’s transformation in sectors such as education, healthcare, road networks and economic growth stands as evidence of progress rather than stagnation.
He maintained that Uganda’s development journey has been guided by deliberate policies aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities for citizens, insisting that critics who portray the country as having failed under his leadership ignore the realities on the ground.
Museveni’s remarks formed part of a broader defence of the NRM government’s record as the country prepares for another electoral cycle, with the President highlighting achievements he believes have laid the foundation for continued growth and stability.
