Museveni calls for economic transformation to secure Africa

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to join the money economy to defend Uganda and Africa against any form of threat.

“If you want to defend Africa, the economy must undergo socio-economic transformation, there must be universal education, economic and political integration to defend Africa,” he said.

President Museveni, who was speaking at the pass out of 21 soldiers at the National Defence College in Buikwe on July 9, urged citizens to join the money economy by engaging in commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship.

He also urged Ugandans to explore the service sector, and embrace information and communication technology.

“All peasants must disappear and we get a new society, then you will defend Africa,” Museveni emphasised.

Museveni warned against “working for the stomach” or subsistence agriculture, and called on Ugandans to join the four money-making sectors.

He also called for the modernisation of the army and the application of modern weapons, other than rifles, to fight effectively and dominate land, air, sea and space, in the same manner as America, China, India and Russia.

The Minister of State for Defence in charge of General Duties, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, thanked President Museveni for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to national security, which she described as driving forces behind the modernisation of the Defence Forces.

She told graduates that their success reflected discipline, resilience and intellectual commitment and dedication to service.

“Invest in advanced strategic thinking to strengthen institutional capacity at all levels of command,” she urged.

The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, commended President Museveni for the unwavering support, guidance and wisdom that have continued to shape the UPDF into a modern, ideologically grounded force.

“We have given you a lot and we are going to demand more from you,” he said.

Brig Gen Alex Olupot, commended the President for attaching value to professional military education, national security and the development of strategic leaders capable of navigating the increasingly complex security environment of the twenty-first century.

“Your unwavering commitment to building professional, ideologically grounded and strategically minded leaders continues to inspire the transformation of our defence and security institutions,” he noted.

He said modern security challenges demand collaboration between different sectors to ensure stability.