Museveni urges Ugandans to make peace central to national transformation
Museveni said a country with peace and hope transforms at a high speed, urging people to avoid acts of sectarianism and instead be patriotic to their country.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa arriving at the event. (Courtesy photos)
________________
President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to preach the gospel of peace, which he said is essential to developing the country and transforming people's lives.
Museveni said a country with peace and hope transforms at a high speed, urging people to avoid acts of sectarianism and instead be patriotic to their country.
He made the remarks in a message read by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during a thanksgiving service organised by security minister Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi to thank God for his reappointment as security minister in the new Cabinet.
Museveni said they have to fight for peace in the country, adding that he cannot simply sit back when people, especially the youth, are violating it, which he said paints a bad image of the country.
He also urged people to utilise Government livelihood programmes to transform household incomes and eradicate poverty.
Museveni emphasised that while the Government continues to invest heavily in national infrastructure such as roads, electricity and health, true transformation can only be realised when individual families create wealth at household level.
In his speech, Muhwezi expressed his profound gratitude to President Museveni for his continued trust, praising his leadership in steering Uganda towards sustainable socioeconomic growth.
"Government has introduced different programs including Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), among others, which have transformed people's lives. I urge you to continue to embrace them for prosperity," Museveni added.
Museveni expressed his profound gratitude to Muhwezi and the people of Rukungiri district for their historical resilience, loyalty and continued overwhelming support for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Government.
He added that Uganda's peace has created room for investors, who have developed the country by establishing industries and creating employment opportunities for young people.
In his speech, Muhwezi expressed his profound gratitude to President Museveni for his continued trust, praising his leadership in steering Uganda towards sustainable socioeconomic growth.
"I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful for the immense trust and confidence you have placed in me. This victory does not belong to me alone; it belongs to every single resident of Rujumbura constituency who believes in a brighter, more prosperous future for our community," he added.
The function started with a church service led by the North Kigezi Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe.
Bishop Asiimwe commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his transformative leadership in building a disciplined and professional national army.
He noted that the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has evolved into a pro-people force that stands in stark contrast to the regimes of the past.
Bishop Asiimwe praised Muhwezi for his integrity, noting that it is rare for politicians to follow through on pledges made during heated election campaigns.
He, however, urged newly elected politicians across the political spectrum to always remember to thank God after winning elections, rather than attributing their success entirely to their own strategies, financial muscle or political influence.
The event, organised at Kasorooza playground in Rujumbura County, was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Cabinet ministers, the national vice-chairman for PLU, Members of Parliament from different regions, district local government leaders and religious leaders, among others.