President Yoweri Museveni has called for disciplined and strategic national budgeting, warning against the persistent mistake of kumemerera—a Luganda term he used to describe the inefficient practice of spreading resources too thinly across many sectors.
In a lengthy statement addressed to Ugandans and the Bazzukulu (grandchildren), the President recounted past experiences where attempting to “be everywhere at the same time” resulted in failing to deliver effectively on national priorities.
He emphasized the importance of the NRA/UPDF approach of focusing on one task at a time — “kamwe kamwe nigwo mugaanda” — which has been key to the military’s and the country’s development successes.
Museveni pointed to past donor dependency as a national weakness, citing instances when foreign funders pulled out of critical infrastructure projects such as the Kampala-Masaka and Kampala-Mityana roads and the northern Uganda electricity transmission lines.
He said the betrayal prompted his 2005 decision to focus Uganda’s own resources on roads and electricity.
“The budget for roads increased to Shs 1.08 trillion in 2008 and later to Shs 6.4 trillion by 2019,” Museveni noted, adding that this prioritisation helped end nationwide electricity blackouts and improve road connectivity to remote districts.
Despite these gains, the President expressed concern about a resurgence of kumemerera in recent budget allocations. He warned that under-budgeting for road maintenance has left once-good roads like Mityana-Mubende-Kyenjojo and Mukono-Jinja in disrepair.
Museveni classified Uganda’s road infrastructure into three categories:
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Well-maintained tarmacked roads, including the Clock Tower, Kampala-Gulu, and municipal roads in Masaka, Hoima, and Gulu.
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Old roads now in poor condition, due to reduced funding.
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Local government roads, some of which are in good condition where funds are well used.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Works and Transport’s current budget stands at Shs 5.912 trillion, but it includes allocations to the Standard Gauge Railway and Uganda Airlines.
The president emphasized that Shs 3.21 trillion is needed specifically for road maintenance and instructed the government to address this funding gap urgently.
Museveni also listed upcoming road rehabilitation and construction projects, including:
The President warned against rushing to create new cities or increase civil servant pay before securing adequate investment in infrastructure, electricity, security, and wealth creation.
“Owabiinga ibiri, imutsiga,” he said, quoting a Runyankore proverb that means: “If you try to spear two animals at once, both will escape.”
