NRM Achievements To-Date

Museveni’s great vision
President Museveni has given his vision for the country in writing. His vision is that Uganda should have an “integrated and self sustaining economy”. This vision has since been upgraded to see Uganda becoming a “middle income and a middle level industrial power”. It is this vision which has seen Uganda pursue the development path it has followed this far, and that has seen the country make considerable progress.
When President Museveni criticized his opponents for lacking a vision for the country, he was severely criticized for allegedly saying that he is the only one with a vision! The president never said that he is the only one with a vision, but rather challenged his opponents to give their visions for the country. However, the lie was repeated so many times by his opponents, that it was finally believed to be the truth as Hitler’s propaganda chief Goebbels once said.

30 years of NRM: Let us reflect on NRM achievements

Every year at this time, we remember where Uganda was before the NRM assumed leadership and where it is today.
The truth is that some Ugandans are doing very well or just well while many others are really struggling to live or to get by. Government knows the going is tough for many Ugandans but it has no quick fixes.

Now, there are many things the government has done over the last 30 years. It has constructed roads, it has introduced universal primary and secondary education, electricity output has increased although it is still not enough in towns and rural electrification is slow making rural development very slow.

The government has been successful in providing security almost nationally, and through regional cooperation efforts, Ugandans are beginning to economically benefit from inter-regional trade. The health sector, while there has been noted improvement, there is still urgent need for a well thought out, affordable or universal national health system.

Often times the government, especially the president, endeavors to remind us of where we have come from and how much the government has done during its tenure of office. Considering how far we have come and where we are today, it's only fair to appreciate some work that the NRM government has done for our country.
As luck would have it, Uganda is projected to experience impressive growth which will benefit from 'a rise in activity in construction, transport, telecommunications, as well as exploration and construction in the burgeoning oil industry in Uganda'.

Education
The social services sector such as education has also expanded tremendously. From having one University in 1986, today there are about 20 Universities. They are not only providing education to Ugandans, but to East Africans and beyond.
For instance, there are over 30,000 Kenyan students in Ugandan institutions of higher and lower learning. In the past the reverse was the case. All these represent a very strong vote of confidence in NRM and Museveni.
Museveni’s great vision
President Museveni has given his vision for the country in writing. His vision is that Uganda should have an “integrated and self sustaining economy”. This vision has since been upgraded to see Uganda becoming a “middle income and a middle level industrial power”. It is this vision which has seen Uganda pursue the development path it has followed this far, and that has seen the country make considerable progress.
When President Museveni criticized his opponents for lacking a vision for the country, he was severely criticized for allegedly saying that he is the only one with a vision! The president never said that he is the only one with a vision, but rather challenged his opponents to give their visions for the country. However, the lie was repeated so many times by his opponents, that it was finally believed to be the truth as Hitler’s propaganda chief Goebbels once said.

The Economy
When NRM and Museveni came to power in 1986, Uganda’s economy was small and weak. The country imported virtually everything. Soap, cooking oil, sodas, sugar, beer, sweets, toilet paper etc, all came from Kenya and other places. Most of the infrastructure was broken down etc.
But today, not only does Uganda produce most of these items, it is now also a leading exporter within the region and beyond. NRM and Museveni have superintended over the twentyfold expansion of the Ugandan economy in the last 26 years.

National Stability
Uganda has enjoyed stability to the point that some groups are now beginning to take it for granted! Because of the stable environment existing in the country, citizens and investors have gotten the assurance to engage in meaningful activities knowing that what they are doing will not be destroyed tomorrow by some political adventurers intent on causing instability. Ensuring and guaranteeing stability in Uganda can perhaps pass as one of Museveni’s and NRM’s greatest achievements.
A Strong State
NRM and Museveni have also gifted Uganda with a strong state which is felt in and outside the country. You may remember that when the Ugandan state was weak, Uganda used to the “sick man of East Africa!” The country used to be a net exporter of refugees but today it is instead a net recipient of refugees. Uganda used to be mocked and Ugandans were harassed in neighboring states like Kenya.
But since Museveni set upon rebuilding the Ugandan state, Uganda is now a respected country in the region and beyond. Uganda’s opinion internationally is high, respected, and sought after. Ugandans who during Amin’s and Obote regimes were ashamed to be identified as Ugandans are now proud to do so.
Because of the strength of the Ugandan state, Uganda has become a regional hegemony ahead of countries like Kenya and Tanzania. As a patriot, I am very proud of this. In fact, the footprints of Uganda and Ugandans, whether positive or negative, are to be found all over the region these days – thanks to Museveni.

Prior to Museveni’s ascendency to power, Uganda was a country in which insecurity was the order of the day, either being perpetuated by state agents, non state actors, or both. The situations during Obote I, Amin, Lule, Binaisa, Obote II, Lutwa bears witness.
National Security
However, since the NRM came to power, state agents and the army have been brought under control of the civilian authorities. Non state actors who used to torment Ugandans like the LRA, ADF, Lakwena rebel groups have all be defeated.
Even the Karimojong cattle rustlers who used to be a menace to people in eastern and northern eastern Uganda have been largely disarmed. Under NRM, the state is in full control of the country. The restoration of security by NRM has allowed the people of Uganda to exploit their potential to achieve development.
Arising from the security ushered in by NRM and Museveni, the country has enjoyed an unbroken run of stability for the last 28 years. Uganda, for those in know, used be a country wracked by instability in the government and the country. Military coups were the order of the day, the state was not in full control of its territory and it was under challenge by all sorts of forces.

When the NRM captured power in January 1986, it found the following major problems;
i) Severe shortage of basic necessities like soap, cloth, housing, sugar, blankets, salt etc.
ii) Severe bottlenecks involving
- Shortage of transport
- Badly damaged roads both trunk and feeder roads
- Malfunctioning power and water supply
- Lack of agricultural inputs
- Unutilized capacity in the industry sector
iii) Disruption of life in most parts of the country leaving behind displaced people, orphans and widows.
iv) High level of insecurity
v) Huge money supply in the economy
vi) High rate of inflation