Why President Yoweri Museveni is still Uganda’s hope

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OPINION

By Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye

September is a milestone in the life of our revolutionary leader, President Gen (rtd) Yoweri Museveni-81st birthday.

On behalf of the Bazzukulu of Uganda, we congratulate and wish him a fruitful and joyous new year and many more to come.

Every living being has a birthday, but there are those which are praiseworthy. Those are the birthdays of illustrious persons like President Museveni, who have contributed greatly to the positive transformation of peoples’ lives.

Born towards the end of the Second World War, President Museveni has made an indelible mark as a freedom fighter, peacemaker, revolutionary, father, grandfather and father of the nation.

The remarkable life story of President Museveni is an inspiration to the young people of Uganda and the whole world that with dedication, sacrifice and foresight someone can contribute enormously to his motherland.

It was through dedication and sacrifice that President Museveni waged justice wars that eliminated the dictatorial and barbaric regimes. He started by waging an anti-Idi Amin struggle in 1971.

Through the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA), Amin was toppled on April 11, 1979. Following the overthrow of Amin, President Museveni was betrayed by the other stakeholders who had participated in the anti-Amin struggle.

For them, they were pre-occupied with government offices instead of focusing on the common good.

For him, he was focused on transforming the lives of Ugandans for the better. That means, he wanted the country to have democracy, economic prosperity and respect for human rights.

Once he was betrayed, especially when the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) rigged the December 10, 1980, general elections, he once again waged a just war against the Milton Obote regime and later the Lutwa junta, thereby ushering in a new era in Uganda.

It was through President Museveni's foresight that he steered an economic recovery for Uganda.

Having become President in 1986 when Uganda was in an economic abyss, he initiated economic policies that have, with time, proved his mastery of economics. Otherwise, what explains the enormous increase in electricity megawatts the country has now compared to the few megawatts the country had in 1986?

Other than President Museveni’s mastery of economics, what explains the road infrastructure developments with now hundreds of miles of tarmacked roads?

It is President Museveni’s mastery of economics, coupled with nationalism, that Uganda has to talk about. He transformed the country’s economy from an enclave to one of plenty.

As other countries are grappling with food scarcity, Uganda has an abundant food supply.

If it were not for some security issues affecting some of the regional countries, Uganda’s food export volumes would be higher.

Nonetheless, Ugandans are earning greater incomes from food and other agricultural products’ sales to local and foreign markets, courtesy of the good economic environment ushered in by President Museveni.

There are several other obvious achievements to talk about when it comes to President Museveni’s administration. That means his life has been a blessing to Uganda and the whole world.

As we approach the presidential polling day, lets vote for him and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearers at all levels, so that he continues to lead us in protecting the gains as we make a qualitative leap into higher middle income status.

The writer is a senior presidential adviser, political affairs, Office of the National Chairperson/national coordinator Bazzukulu