President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has attributed Uganda’s major national achievements, including the discovery of oil in the Albertine Graben, to what he described as God’s special favour towards the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Addressing thousands of Ugandans and foreign dignitaries during the 63rd Independence Day celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala on Thursday, Museveni said divine providence had shielded Uganda’s oil wealth from colonial powers and previous regimes until the NRM assumed leadership. “The British were here for 68 years. From 1920 to 1956, they tried to look for petroleum in Uganda but failed. They even concluded that perhaps it had evaporated due to volcanic activity,” Museveni said. “When the NRM came, we discovered petroleum around Lake Albert. God favoured us with special emphasis.”
The President directed his technical team to display footage of ongoing oil developments in the Albertine region and reaffirmed that oil production is expected to begin in 2026. He outlined government priorities for the expected oil revenues, citing defence, infrastructure, electricity expansion, education, health, safe water, irrigation, railways, and wealth creation among key investment areas.
He also highlighted science, innovation, and industrial initiatives such as Kira Motors and Dei Biopharma as central to Uganda’s economic transformation. Museveni said part of the oil proceeds would go toward enhancing salaries for scientists, judicial officers, and security personnel, adding that disciplined budgeting could sustain Uganda’s economic growth rate at about 7%.
The President, however, criticised the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for low tax collection efficiency, noting that the body currently collects only 13–14% of the country’s GDP. “If URA collected at least 20%, we would raise about UGX 47 trillion annually. That would ease our dependence on borrowing and accelerate development,” he said.
Despite the challenges of a growing population and rising public debt, Museveni said Uganda has recorded remarkable progress under NRM leadership, especially in health, education, and social welfare. “Uganda’s population has grown from 14 million in 1986 to 46 million today. Infant mortality has dropped from 119 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, life expectancy has risen from 43 to 68 years, and literacy has improved from 43% to 80%,” he said.
The President further commended Ugandan scientists for their innovations in automotives, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines, saying their work demonstrates the success of realistic and disciplined budgeting. This year’s Independence Day celebrations, held under the theme “63 Years of Independence: A Reason to Double Our Efforts in Sustaining a United and Progressive Nation,” featured a grand military parade, cultural performances, and the conferment of national honours on 23 Ugandans for distinguished service.
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda said the honourees received the Nalubaale, Luweero Triangle, and Golden Jubilee medals. The event was attended by several foreign dignitaries, including Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who represented President William Ruto, alongside ambassadors from Russia, Libya, and the United Arab Emirates.