While addressing the country at Kololo Independence Grounds as during the 36^th National Liberation Day celebrations, President Museveni made several the remarks about the economy, industrialization, education, agriculture, health and the Covid-19 pandemic.

President Museveni said the NRA fought for very serious reasons which included economic growth and transformation, peace and stability.

Museveni noted that the economy of Uganda has grown 29 times since 1986. He added that the economy of Uganda will be 44 billion dollars in July this year about 50 dollars short of middle-income status. “When we started, it was only 1.4 billion dollars. I’m however not satisfied with the 6% growth. We can grow rapidly” he said.

President Museveni added that for Uganda to upgrade to a high middle-income country, there is need to boost agriculture, add quality with industry, promote services like tourism and develop ICT. “We want Uganda to be a high middle-income country,” he emphasized.

Industrialization

“We are making our own cars now; we are assembling all sorts of things here. Vaccines and medicines. Our people are very active there. We are going to process our own papers and minerals as well. The journey ahead is very intense but also very profitable,” President Museveni remarked.

Tourism

President Museveni said he is hopeful the tourism industry is yet to boom now that the country’s economy is open.

Agriculture

Museveni said if all Ugandans were to wake up and follow what they have been told just in Agriculture alone, the country’s economy would be more than half a trillion dollars. And that the country can be pushed to a high middle-income country with agriculture alone if people are given enough guidance..

“Tea, tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton are crops that can’t be grown on less than four acres. We have to add industries to add value. If we produce products of the right quality, we have the market. The issue of so much sugar and maize will be sorted. If the people in the region don’t want to buy them, we will turn them into ethanol,” he said.

Security

President Museveni condemned military coups in Africa saying the problem happening in Africa today started in Libya. He made an invitation to African leaders to sit down & exchange views on how to build strength in Africa.

“What’s happening now is going to take us back because civilian leaders fail to build strong armies. I’m glad our brothers from Congo are here; we are working with them to stop that little problem of ADF. ADF is nothing; we will defeat them. They were here, but we defeated them. We have experience in defeating them,” President Museveni commented.

President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces has replaced Maj Gen Abel Kandiho with Maj Gen James Birungi as the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence boss.

In the latest reshuffle in UPDF Kandiho has been appointed Head of South Sudan security monitoring mechanism, where he will dutifully be in charge of the assembling, screening, demobilization and integration of the armed forces of South Sudan.

The position has been held by Maj Gen James Birungi since November 2020. Maj Gen Birungi has now been appointed as the new CMI chief.

The Commander Land Forces in the UPDF, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed the new changes in a tweet.

The Rwandan government has on several occasions accused Maj Gen Kanduho of commanding operations targeting their citizens in Uganda insisting he gets replaced.

Last year, the US government also announced sanctions against Maj Gen Kandiho accusing him of being connected to serious human rights abuses and repressive acts. The action froze any U.S. assets owned by Kandiho and generally barred Americans from dealing with him.

However, in response, the UPDF said in a statement they were disappointed over the sanctions considering they are a reputable government institution.  The Ugandan army promised they would be seeking clarification from the US government over the matter to enable them pave a way forward.

Moments after the official installation of Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, the Archbishop-elect of Kampala Archdiocese at Rubaga Cathedral, he led his first mass where he emphasized unity, tolerance and protection of land.

Today marked the end of Ssemogerere’s 13-year service in Kasana -Luwero Diocese as Bishop.  Ssemogerere took over as the second Bishop of Kasana -Luwero Diocese on August 23, 2008, where he served until December 9, 2021, when Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese.

Ahead of his installation, Ssemogerere set off early today from Kasana-Luwero Diocese. He first attended private prayers in adoration chapel. While being received, he was given a Bible and bouquet of flowers.

Thereafter he attended mass at Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace in Luwero town led by Monsignor Francis Xavier Mpanga who prayed for journey mercies and blessings for Ssemogerere in his new office. Dozens of priests and Christians joined Ssemogerere’s convoy to escort him to his new calling.

Ssemogerere said that he was happy for the Christians that turned up to bid him farewell and escort him to his new office.

Around 10:30am, he was installed by Papal Nuncio Luigi Blanco as the new Archbishop of the Kampala Archdiocese. Ssemogerere expressed gratitude to Pope for entrusting him with the responsibility to lead Kampala Archdiocese and prayed for the fallen Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga to continue resting in peace.

The installation was graced by various representatives from Parliament of Uganda, religious institutions, cultural institutions, politicians among others. In attendance was Vice President; Jessica Alupo, Deputy Speaker of Parliament; Anita Among, Minister for lands; Judith Nabakoba, former Vice President; Edward Ssekandi, Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga and Prince David Wasajja of Buganda Kingdom , Thomas Tayebwa, parliament Chief whip, Mathias Mpuga, Leader of Opposition and NUP President Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu, among others.

President Museveni delegated Vice-President Jessica Alupo as his representative.

Deputy Speaker  Anita Among pledged to give all the necessary support in her powers to the Archbishop as he serves God’s people.

His Grace Paul Ssemogerere replaces the late Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga who died on April 3, 2021.

Bank of Uganda’s governor, Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, has passed on at Aghakhan Hospital, Nairobi this morning.

Born: 27 January 1949 in kabale district, Uganda, Mutebile has died aged 72.

He was appointed Governor Central Bnak of Uganda on 1st January 2001, a position he has held until his demise.

Mutebile has also been Chairman Board of Directors, He will be remembered by many as strong pillar in Uganda’s economy.

More details will be availed.