Museveni cautions cultural leaders against tribal talk
Museveni, who is campaigning for his seventh elected term in office, implored the cultural leaders and other Ugandans to talk about Uganda, East Africa and Africa if they want to prosper.
Museveni also wondered why his rivals, such as Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform, Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation and Joseph Kasibante of the National Peasants PARTY, don’t talk about markets abroad for Uganda’s produce.
President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned cultural leaders against tribal talk, saying it is a fatal mistake.
He was interacting with journalists from the Bunyoro region during a live radio and TV talk-show at Nakasero State Lodge in Kampala on December 13, 2025.
“There are also cultural leaders we restored, they have to be careful because you hear them talking ‘Bunyoro, Bunyoro’, ffe nga Abaganda (we as the Baganda), ab'enda ya Nnakalaama (of the same origin), huh! Is what you are talking about containing medicine or poison?” he asked in Runyoro.
Museveni, who is campaigning for his seventh elected term in office, implored the cultural leaders and other Ugandans to talk about Uganda, East Africa and Africa if they want to prosper.
“That (talking about Uganda, East Africa and Africa) is more helpful to me. Yes, I am a Munyankole and it is good, but the Banyankole [in Ankole] don’t buy my milk, meat, and bananas because they also produce the same products as me,” he said.
He emphasised that the Banyankole don’t buy from him, and vice versa.
“So, we just greet each other in Runyankole. They only help me in producing large quantities of milk to sell together, but beyond that, what helps me is Uganda and Africa. I only get the money from the other Ugandans who buy my products to make me prosperous. So, not talking about Uganda, East Africa and Africa is not only a mistake but it is also fatal,” he said.
Museveni also wondered why his rivals, such as Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform, Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation and Joseph Kasibante of the National Peasants PARTY, don’t talk about markets abroad for Uganda’s produce.
“You say presidential candidates; Kyagulanyi, Muntu, Kasibante… Now Your Excellency, the President who wants to lead us in Uganda, why are you not talking about the market for Uganda’s produce? Where will you take them? What is our plan? How is our future with you, Your Excellency?” Museveni asked, with a smile.
Museveni’s other challengers are Robert Mabirizi of the Conservative Party, Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change, Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party, and Frank Kabinga of the Revolutionary People’s Party.