President Yoweri Museveni called on both ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) members and opposition politicians to take greater responsibility in monitoring government programs and ensuring accountability during the presentation of Uganda’s Shs84.4 trillion national budget for the 2026/27 financial year.

Speaking at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Museveni emphasized that all elected leaders, regardless of political affiliation, must actively oversee the implementation of public projects in their constituencies, particularly those funded through government initiatives.A major focus of his remarks was the Parish Development Model (PDM), which has faced complaints of mismanagement and alleged theft of funds.

The President stressed that leaders should ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries and warned that those who fail in their oversight duties could face scrutiny and potential legal consequences.

He also highlighted the broader goal of moving the remaining 33 percent of Ugandans still outside the money economy into productive economic activity, describing this as a key development challenge for the country.

Museveni noted that Uganda has made significant economic progress, with participation in the money economy rising from 9 percent at independence to about 67 percent today, supported by programs like Operation Wealth Creation and PDM.However, he acknowledged persistent weaknesses in implementation and supervision.Finance Minister Henry Musasizi presented the budget, projecting increased domestic revenue of Shs45.6 trillion and economic growth of 10.2 percent, driven partly by oil production and infrastructure development.Museveni also outlined plans for a sovereign wealth fund and major railway projects to improve regional trade and reduce transport costs.

Beyond economic issues, the President addressed environmental enforcement, defending actions to remove traders from road reserves and protect wetlands.

He also reassured the public that the Ebola outbreak remains under control, reporting 19 cases and urging continued vigilance and adherence to health guidelines.Overall, the speech combined calls for accountability with optimism about Uganda’s economic future.