Experts outline key expectations for Museveni's State of the Nation Address

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As President Yoweri Museveni prepares to deliver the State of the Nation address today, Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2:00pm, anticipation is building across various economic sectors.

Experts across the sectors have highlighted several key areas they expect the President to address, reflecting the pressing concerns and opportunities facing the nation.

Security and international relations

Professor Solomon Asiimwe, a security and international relations analyst, says Museveni should assure the people and be able to give an account regarding the state of the country and the economy since people vested their power in him.

“He will have to assure the country how secure it is and what his role has been in securing Uganda since the speech is coming one day after a blast, the co-operation of Uganda with the region, especially against terrorism. I think he should talk about the value of regional integration for the market to grow our economy. Of course, he should address peaceful election processes.”

Education, health sector

Prof. Alice Lamwaka Veronica from Gulu University says as a researcher, she would expect the president to speak about the release of more money for research.

“Well, I, as a researcher, he promised me money for my research, and for the last five years I have not seen the money, and I felt cheated, and I don’t know how to go about it. It’s not good for the President to make promises and not fulfil them. My area of research is biodiversity medicine, and very little money is being put into this area. We have a lot of medicines that can help when people fail with conventional medicine. So, I expect the President to talk about the harmonious usage of biodiversity and conventional medicine because herbal medicine can be standardised and be used in the treatment of various diseases alongside conventional medicine and that’s why I am advocating for this. I also expect him to address the issues of human resources for the health sector. The carer is not being cared for. And there are issues about test kits stockouts in the hospitals, there is need for good and sufficient diagnostic testing materials.”

Energy sector

Silage Magala, an economist at OXFAM, says oil production has not started and yet the country has entered into many debts. 

"So, the plan needs to be concretised to reduce the debt burden. We are borrowing to invest in this sector, and in turn, the private sector is choking on debts due to competition with government borrowing. I expect him to seriously address this issue. Secondly, he pledged to revamp the quality of education and the curriculum, but when you talk to the teachers, there is an issue of an inadequate education budget. Then, because the key thing right now is to make sure that the needs of the people, especially healthcare, is improved, we need to see the health budget changing for the priorities that are key to people. As the head of state, he needs to deal with this. He needs to address the issue of misappropriation to ensure that resources are used well.”

General economy

Dr Peter Byabenda, an economist from the School of Economics at Makerere University, says:

“One of the key things many Ugandans are eagerly waiting to hear is the President’s assessment of progress over the past year. Beyond that, I hope he addresses the growing challenge of electricity infrastructure vandalism, which is becoming rampant and rising insecurity in rural areas, especially with the reported thefts of PDM cows."

He should also speak to the rising unemployment crisis, which is pushing many young Ugandans into exploitative conditions abroad, including what can be described as modern-day slavery in the Middle East. Concrete interventions are urgently needed to reverse this trend.

Additionally, we need clarity on how to make Uganda’s industrial parks truly functional and transformative for the economy. Finally, I would like to hear concrete measures being taken under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), especially the enabling strategies for key sectors identified in the plan.

Agriculture

Dr Michael Mugabira, an agribusiness analyst and economist, says the President may now start with issues of Munyonyo. 

“But I want him to speak about how he will support coffee since there is research that with more investment in coffee is believed to bring in more money than coffee. The investment in coffee is not that huge, but it brings in more money. But there is a heavy investment in oil and yet coffee would be a miracle worker. So, there is a need to balance investment in both.”

What the President said last year

Under the theme: Uganda’s Transformation Through NRM Ideology: Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-Economic Transformation & Democracy, the president’s key message last year was hinged on three Historical Missions; Prosperity for African people through production and trade, not begging for aid, Strategic security- ensuring Africa can defend its prosperity and African unity-leveraging brotherhood among African nations for shared development and resilience.

The President also highlighted NRM’s four ideological principles:

1. Patriotism: Love for Uganda to build and benefit from local markets.
2. Pan-Africanism: Love for Africa and regional integration to expand markets and improve strategic security.
3. Socio-Economic Transformation: Educate all (bonna basome) and ensure prosperity for all (bonna bagaggawale) through commercialisation and industrialisation.
4. Democracy: Real, empowering democracy—not populist manipulation.

 Economic achievements

Growth from $1.5 billion in 1986 to $55 billion (in terms of forex exchange measurement) and $180.29 billion (according to the purchasing power parity (PPP) method of economic measurement that compares the relative value of currencies) in 2024.

Uganda has achieved lower-middle-income status with a per capita income of $1,182.

Transitioned through five economic phases, from basic recovery to entering the knowledge economy (e.g., vaccines, automobile production).

Large-scale surplus production in sugar, milk, steel, and cement, necessitating regional markets like EAC and COMESA.

Market integration and trade

Museveni called for the removal of EAC trade barriers to support regional prosperity.

Emphasized using African markets before focusing on global markets like the EU, US, China and India.

Highlighted the success of exports within COMESA, worth over $2.1 billion.

Wealth creation and inclusive development

Citizens urged to join four key wealth sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.

Government programs like OWC, PDM, Emyooga, Youth and Women funds, and UDB loans were cited as support for different income levels.

Strategic security and integration

Uganda’s security and independence are tied to Africa’s size and unity.

Recalled how WWII showed that even prosperous small nations (e.g., Belgium, Denmark) are vulnerable without size and strategic strength.

Advocated for regional political federations, particularly in East Africa, based on cultural and linguistic compatibility, Swahili proposed as a unifying official language.

Vision for the futur

Uganda plans a limited space programme (satellites for communication and surveillance).

Political and economic integration of East Africa remains a top goal to ensure sustainable security and prosperity.

President Museveni's address was a reaffirmation of the NRM’s ideological foundation and a call for deeper regional integration, economic productivity, and self-reliant transformation.

He warned against sectarianism and neo-colonial influence, urging unity and strategic development through African solidarity.