President Yoweri Museveni has said what has kept the NRM government in power for 37 years now is the party's core principles which he said enabled Uganda to build strong institutions.

Patriotic political parties, the army and Judiciary are among these institutions, he said.

“Congratulations to all of you on this occasion of the 37th anniversary of the NRM victory in 1986," Museveni said on Thursday in Kakumiro district.

The anniversary, also called NRM Day, is held every January 26.

The President said his party's core principles were "distilled out of the chaotic politics and governance that had bedevilled Uganda for almost 556 years".

The four principles are patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy.

Museveni said patriotism and pan-Africanism re-oriented Ugandans from following the politics of identity to following the politics of legitimate needs, including peace, health, education and wealth creation.

He said this has enabled the growth of Uganda's economy - from $1.5b (sh5.5 trillion) in 1986 to a projected $48b (sh176.8 trillion) by the end of June this year.

He said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita will be $1,067 (sh3.9m).

Museveni also spoke of plans to add more value to such materials as coffee, cotton and maize to further boost Uganda's revenue.

“We now have the electricity and we are adding more. We have the varied and massive raw materials and, increasingly, we have the entrepreneurs – local and foreign - and we have the African market that we have put in place with our pan-Africanist comrades."

President Museveni poses for a photo with some of the people who received medals during the 37th NRM liberation Celebration in Kakumiro District.

In his speech, the President underlined five points:

- Be clear about development and wealth

- Be clear that socio-economic transformation involves the whole society to move on two axes (money-based wealth creation and mass education)

- Stamping out corruption from all government agencies in the central and the local governments

- Stamping out sectarianism

- Protecting the environment

'Let's get rid of them'

Museveni said more effort is needed to fight corruption.

"I have heard the Bazzukulu crying about the District Service Commissions selling local government jobs. I have heard of girls being exploited sexually as bribes for jobs.

"Get evidence, please, devoted members of the public and we expunge and roast those pigs. The DISOs and the CIDs should also be on notice. How does such corruption go on in your area of responsibility and you do not know or, if you know, you do not report?” wondered the President.

He continued.

“You still hear some elements pushing sectarianism of tribe and religion. We long ago banished sectarianism. I believe it is both a criminal and electoral offence.

"Somebody can lose his or her seat of an elected office if it is proved that he used sectarianism, even if he is already elected. Why, then, preserve such parasites? Get the evidence and we get rid of them. They can also be persecuted criminally.”

On protecting the environment, Museveni said: “We need water and clean air. Both of them come from the wetlands and forests. You cannot say that you are a patriot of Uganda, but you damage our wetlands, our forests, our riverbanks, our lake shores, our steep gradients, on which our livelihoods depend. Even food is possible because of air, water, etc.

"You become a munyanzigwa (enemy) when you damage these. 40% of our rain comes from these forests and wetlands. It is the 60% that comes from the oceans. How can we destroy ourselves in this way on account of some greedy people?

"Therefore, be alerted. In a few weeks, I will launch a mega effort to get rid of this parasitism."