Why January 15, 2026, matters to Ugandans

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OPINION

By Dr Rosemary Sseninde Nansubuga (PhD)

In just a few weeks, on January 15, 2026, Ugandans will go to the polls to choose the leaders who will guide our country from 2026 to 2031.

This is not an ordinary election day. It is a day when, as Ugandans, we come together to decide the future we want and the leadership we trust to take us there.

For nearly four decades, under the leadership of the NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, this country has moved from chaos to stability, from isolation to regional relevance, and from survival to growth.

As we have campaigned across the country, east, west, north, central, and beyond, we have seen and felt the confidence of Ugandans. The turnout at our rallies has been massive, and it has sent a clear message: Ugandans understand what is at stake.

This support is not by accident. It is based on what people can see, touch, and benefit from.

Some dismiss our achievements as “history.” But no nation moves forward without understanding where it came from. When the NRM took power in 1986, Uganda was broken — politically, economically, and socially. Today, we are a stable country with regular elections every five years, functioning institutions, and a growing economy. We speak about the past not to guilt-trip anyone, but to explain why we are trusted to manage the present and the future.

Peace and Stability: The Foundation of Everything

Peace remains the greatest gift any leadership can give its people. Without peace, there can be no schools, no hospitals, no roads, no investment, and no jobs. Uganda’s stability has allowed businesses to grow, farmers to plan, and young people to dream.

Those who thrive on insults, intimidation, and division — especially on social media — offer no clear plan for managing a country. Ugandans have seen this and rejected it.

Economic Transformation: From minimal Survival to Growth

Uganda’s economy has changed fundamentally.

In the late 1980s, the economy depended almost entirely on raw agricultural exports, with little value addition. Today, industry and services contribute over 70% of GDP, driven by manufacturing, construction, agro-processing, mining, oil and gas, and trade.

Uganda now has over 9,000 operational factories, up from fewer than 300 in the early 1990s.

Industrial parks across the country are a new engine of employment and value addition. More industrial parks are lined up in Bunyoro, Busoga, Toro, West Nile, and Central Uganda, creating jobs and attracting investors.

Major investments like the $500m Devki Steel Plant in Tororo are strengthening local production and reducing imports.

This growth is not theoretical; it is creating jobs, skills, and income, especially for young people.

Agriculture, Coffee, and Exports

Agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods, now supported by irrigation, better seeds, research, and extension services.

Uganda is now Africa’s leading coffee exporter, exporting over eight (8) million 60-kg bags annually.

Coffee earnings have crossed $2b per year, the highest in our history.

This growth has come from deliberate support to farmers, improved seedlings, and access to international markets.

Beyond coffee

Gold, fish, manufactured goods, and industrial exports have pushed Uganda’s export earnings to record levels.

These exports bring in foreign exchange and directly support household incomes.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

Infrastructure is the backbone of development.

The paved national road network has grown from under 2,000 km in the late 1980s to close to 7000 km today, with more still under construction.

Electricity access has expanded from below 5% of households to over 60%, powering homes, factories, and businesses.

Safe water coverage now exceeds 70% nationally.

Kabalega International Airport is nearing completion to support oil, tourism, and trade.

New ferries and transport corridors are connecting islands and hard-to-reach communities.

Oil and the Future Economy

Uganda has entered a new phase.

Oil production has commenced.

Projects like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) position Uganda as a strategic regional energy player.

Oil revenues are expected to support infrastructure, industrialisation, and long-term investments for future generations.

Putting Money in People’s Hands: PDM and Emyooga

Development must reach the household.

Under the Parish Development Model (PDM):

Each parish receives sh100m per year.

With over 10,500 parishes, this means more than sh1 trillion annually going directly to communities.

Under Emyooga

Over sh500b has been disbursed to more than 18,000 SACCOs.

Beneficiaries include boda-boda riders, market vendors, artisans, salon operators, fishermen, and small traders.

These programs are not slogans. They are changing lives parish by parish.

Why January 15 Matters

January 15, 2026, is about protecting stability, safeguarding progress, and securing Uganda’s future. At this stage of development, experimenting with inexperienced leadership is a risk Uganda does not need.

Despite intimidation, lies, and propaganda, Ugandans have stood firm. They understand that development is built step by step, not through insults and anger.

I therefore call upon all Ugandans to come out in large numbers and vote for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and NRM leaders at all levels. These are leaders who are tested, proven, and capable of delivering development to every corner of this country.

Let's protect those gains!

The writer is the Director, mobilisation, Cardre development, recruitment and placement at the NRM Secretariat