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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has applauded the Members of Parliament for passing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025, calling it a timely move that averted potential conflict among the army, Parliament, and the judiciary.

“I congratulate Parliament for passing the UPDF Amendment Bill. A serious problem was looming as some people proposed trying soldiers who commit crimes like murder, theft, or rape in civilian courts rather than in military courts. Those who supported that idea must repent,” the President stated.

He made the remarks on May 21, 2025, while addressing leaders at Timnah Nursery and Primary School in Mabaale Village, Luwero District, during his tour of the Greater Luwero region to assess the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other wealth creation programs.

The Bill, passed on May 20, 2025, extends the jurisdiction of military courts to try civilians in specific cases involving possession of military equipment or collaboration in serious crimes such as treason and murder.

President Museveni emphasized the original decision taken after the liberation struggle to try any person using military weapons to commit crimes in military courts—whether they are soldiers or not. He highlighted that this firm stance and the promotion of clean politics since 1986 have kept Uganda peaceful and focused on development.

He reiterated that peace is foundational for development. “Many of our neighboring countries have abundant minerals and oil but lack peace. That’s why Uganda now hosts about 1.8 million refugees,” he said.

He stressed that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) remains committed to national unity and integration, as outlined in its four core principles: Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Social-Economic Transformation, and Democracy.

Prioritizing Wealth Creation

The President urged Ugandans to understand proper prioritization in public administration—placing wealth creation ahead of infrastructure development. He emphasized investment in commercial agriculture, services, ICT, and manufacturing as key drivers of prosperity.

Cautioning against land fragmentation, Museveni narrated the story of a wealthy neighbor in Kisozi whose estate was divided and diminished after his death. He advised collective land use and profit-sharing, citing the successful example of Hajjat Mariam Baiga’s family in Ssekamuli, Bamunanika.

He also reiterated his 1996 NRM Manifesto proposal for land use:

• One acre for coffee
• One acre for fruit trees
• One acre for pasture
• One acre for food crops
• Backyard farming for pigs or poultry
• Fish farming in swampy areas

He added that high-yield crops like cocoa and palm oil can thrive on small plots, while crops like sugarcane, tea, and maize require more land.

Parish Development Model (PDM) Progress

President Museveni noted that if the UGX 100 million allocated per parish under the PDM is properly managed, Ugandans could establish parish banks worth UGX 1.8 billion in the next decade. However, he warned against favoritism in fund distribution.

NRM Vice Chairperson for Central Region, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, praised the President’s efforts in transforming Uganda through wealth creation, especially via coffee farming, which has significantly benefited the Buganda region.

NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, presented the party’s scorecard for Greater Luwero. He noted a decline in support from 2016 to 2021 and urged local leaders to reflect on the reasons, emphasizing their role as a link between the President and the people.

Todwong also announced that the UGX 300 million the President received in a court award from the Monitor newspaper has been allocated to build an NRM party office in Luwero.

Regional PDM Performance

According to Hon. Dennis Galabuzi Ssozi, National PDM Coordinator, UGX 62 billion has been distributed across 240 PDM SACCOs in Greater Luwero. Luwero District has the most SACCOs (101), followed by Nakaseke (71) and Nakasongola (68). A total of 65,414 beneficiaries from 65,000 households have received PDM funds.

Of these:

• 33% are involved in crop farming
• 26% in livestock (notably piggery)
• 51% are women
• 62% are aged 31–69
• Youth participation stands at 26%, below the national average of 38%

Galabuzi called for solutions to boost youth involvement and noted challenges like a shortage of extension workers, erratic electricity, and lack of water for farming.

Nationwide, a total of UGX 3.2 trillion has been distributed across 10,717 parishes under the PDM.

Emyooga and Musevenomics

State Minister for Microfinance, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, highlighted a major challenge with the Emyooga program—selective fund distribution by parish SACCO leaders and poor loan repayment rates. He warned that defaulters will be compelled to return the money.

Senior Presidential Advisor on Economic Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu, discussed Uganda’s rise to middle-income status, crediting the achievement to “Musevenomics”—a structured approach to economic transformation through four stages:

1. Primary production (subsistence farming)
2. Secondary production (manufacturing)
3. Tertiary services (tourism, transport, ICT)
4. Knowledge-based economy (innovation and science)

Kamuntu said Musevenomics offers a framework for analyzing Uganda’s economic journey from pre-colonial times to the present.

Land Ownership and National Development

Minister of Lands, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, discussed land ownership issues and emphasized the 2022 Presidential Executive Order protecting squatters from illegal evictions. She urged local leaders to utilize ministry zonal offices and digital platforms to verify land ownership.

Minister of State for Investment and Privatization, Hon. Evelyn Anite, highlighted the President’s tour theme: “Securing Your Future Through Wealth Creation.” She recalled Museveni’s 1986 promise of a fundamental change, noting that Uganda is now witnessing the results of that vision.

The event was attended by ministers, MPs, NRM leaders, and other stakeholders from across the Greater Luwero region.