By Waiswa Michael Baluye
Since assuming leadership in 1996, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has systematically unrolled a series of ambitious development manifestos, charting a comprehensive course for Uganda’s transformation.
Spanning over three decades, from its foundational promises in 1996 to its strategic outlook for 2031, these programs represent an evolving blueprint aimed at steering the nation from post-conflict recovery to widespread prosperity.
The NRM’s development journey officially commenced in 1996, with its inaugural manifesto focusing on the formidable task of stabilizing a nation grappling with the legacies of past regimes.
The initial priority was to restore public confidence in governance and lay the groundwork for a secure and unified Uganda. This period saw critical efforts to address immediate challenges, setting the stage for subsequent growth.
Following this foundational phase, the government embarked on a program centered on consolidating the achievements made during its nascent years. This included a vigorous drive to strengthen national institutions, enhance vital infrastructure across the country, and further entrench the peace and unity that had begun to take root.
A subsequent strategic initiative introduced a long-term vision encapsulated by a diversified approach to achieve “Prosperity for All.” This ambitious program underscored inclusive economic growth, particularly focusing on rural transformation, and expanding opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of their geographical location or socio-economic status. It marked a significant shift towards broad-based development.
The ensuing five-year period saw a pivotal shift towards enhancing service delivery and creating robust employment opportunities, with a special emphasis on empowering Uganda’s burgeoning youth population.
This involved comprehensive reforms across education, health, and public administration, complemented by robust promotion of entrepreneurship and vocational training to equip the workforce.
Further cementing its vision, the government committed to modernizing Uganda through continued inclusive development and job creation, ensuring that every citizen could genuinely benefit from national progress.
Key focus areas during this phase included accelerating industrialization, advancing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development, boosting agricultural value addition, and implementing critical social protection measures.
Crucially, underpinning all these efforts was a resolute program for strengthening national security. By ensuring peace and stability across the nation, the NRM aimed to create a conducive environment for sustainable development, attracting both domestic and foreign investment confidence. This security foundation was deemed paramount for any lasting socio-economic advancement.
Looking ahead, the NRM government’s strategic theme for the upcoming 2026–2031 period is squarely focused on protecting and building upon all the significant gains achieved over the previous decades.
This forward-looking agenda prioritizes safeguarding the hard-won peace, enhancing sustained economic growth, promoting good governance, and ensuring that all Ugandans can comprehensively enjoy the dividends of stability and development.
The continuity and adaptive nature of the NRM’s manifestos underscore a long-term commitment to national development. As Uganda looks towards 2031, the government’s enduring promise remains rooted in building on past successes, ensuring a secure, prosperous, and inclusive future for all its citizens.
Mr. Waiswa Michael Baluye is the coordinator ONC in Buyende district
