KAMPALA, January 19, 2026 — President Yoweri Museveni has outlined key priority areas where Uganda’s anticipated oil revenues will be invested, emphasising long-term national development rather than short-term consumption.
Museveni, who on Sunday formally received the declaration confirming his re-election as President of Uganda, reaffirmed that commercial oil production is expected to begin in 2026. He stressed that proceeds from the sector would be channelled into durable national assets.
“Our oil will start flowing this year, and this revenue must be used for things that will last, such as railways, power stations, roads and science education,” the President said.
He explained that investments in infrastructure, particularly railways and roads, would stimulate production, support industrial growth, create employment and improve livelihoods across the country.
The President also said the government would commit substantial resources to strengthening science education at all levels, as well as funding science-based research to empower Ugandan scientists and support innovation.
In the 2025/26 financial year budget, the Ministry of Finance allocated Shs 814.2 billion to the science, technology and innovation sector, aimed at accelerating industrialisation, job creation and high-tech exports.
Museveni cautioned against proposals to directly distribute oil revenues to local governments, arguing that oil is a finite resource that must be used wisely.
“This oil will last about 20 years. If you care about your country, you must use this exhaustible resource to build things that will endure,” he said while addressing a small gathering at a thanksgiving event held at his Rwakitura home in Kiruhura district following his election victory.
During his address, the President pledged to prioritise economic growth and poverty eradication during his new five-year term, while intensifying the fight against corruption, particularly among government officials and political leaders.
“We must end poverty in the homesteads, but corruption annoys our people. I will be very harsh in this Kisanja,” he warned, urging National Resistance Movement [NRM] leaders to closely monitor government programmes. These include the availability of medicines in hospitals, delivery of justice, land protection, road maintenance and access to clean water.
He acknowledged that the Parish Development Model [PDM] has suffered uneven implementation, largely due to failures by some local leaders, and said the programme must be critically assessed.
“PDM has given people hope that we can eliminate poverty, and the skilling hubs are equipping young people with practical skills. However, we must address the existing challenges,” he said.
Museveni added that about 70 per cent of Ugandans already engaged in the money economy require continued support to expand their activities, while the remaining 30 per cent should be the focus of decisive poverty-reduction interventions.
The President further emphasised the importance of free education in government schools, improved healthcare delivery, and job creation driven by agriculture, manufacturing and the private sector, rather than reliance on public service employment.
According to provisional figures released by the Electoral Commission, Museveni won the recent presidential election with approximately seven million votes.
https://thecooperator.news/elections-govt-delays-reopening-of-schools/
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