President Museveni Urges Ugandans To Embrace Politics Of Interests And Shun Identity Politics

His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has rallied Uganda to embrace the essential ingredients which are crucial for the success of Uganda and the wider Africa.

H.E Museveni was speaking at the 61st Anniversary of Uganda’s Independence that was held in Kitgum District under the theme: “Sustaining a United and Progressive Nation: Taking Charge of Our Future as a Free Nation.”

“With these 8 ingredients, Uganda is unstoppable. With these eight, talk of aid is laughable. We do not need aid. It is the mishandling of these eight, that is the killer. Jesus, in the book of Matthew, Chapter 15, Verse 11, pointed out that what kills a person is what comes from within him but not what comes from outside,” said President Museveni.

The eight ingredients the President highlighted were: rejecting the pseudo-ideology of identity politics by emphasizing politics of interests; understanding the importance of promoting the private sector; economic infrastructure that lowers the cost of doing business; social infrastructure to deal with the human resources; working on regional economic and political integration to guarantee market and strategic security; trading with international contacts on an equitable basis; eliminating corruption and protecting the environment.

President Museveni cautioned local leaders who quietly involve themselves in abetting cattle rustling who he said must answer for their acts.

Earlier, the President launched BINGWA (Champion) a multi-functional one-tonne three-wheeled vehicle, a brainchild of an S.2 dropout, Mr Rogers Mubiru of Keveton Motion Engineering which was incubated and constructed by Kiira Motors Vehicle Plant in Jinja. The vehicle is designed to transport goods, pump water and generate electricity. It is earmarked to revitalise, enhance and promote the rollout of the Parish Development Model (PDM) project in the country.

The Minister of the Presidency, Hon Milly Babirye Babalanda reiterated that the NRM has promoted socio-economic development and contributed to regional security and integration under the East African Community.

She appealed to the heads of the 7 states of the East African Community to expedite integration to pre-empt groups that want to use the integration effort to undermine the purpose for which it is intended.

The celebrations were also attended by: H.E Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of State representing His Highness Sheikh Mahamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dabhi, H.E Jessica Alupo, Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, The Vice President of Burundi, The Deputy Prime Minister of Tanzania, The Secretary General of the East African Community Dr. Peter Mathuki, Hon Thomas Tayebwa the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, religious and civil leaders, Generals and Officers of the UPDF and sister security agencies.