President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assured Ugandans that the country’s future remains bright, citing peace, increased agricultural and industrial production, and available government programs to fight poverty.

In his Christmas message addressed to “Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu,” President Museveni, together with First Lady Maama Janet Museveni, congratulated Ugandans upon celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago.

“It is gratifying that Uganda is celebrating Christmas when the whole country is peaceful and there is a lot of agricultural and industrial production. The shops are full and the markets are full,” the President said.

Museveni acknowledged that poverty still exists among about 30 percent of Ugandans who remain outside the money economy, describing them as Abakolera ekiddakyoonka and tic me ic keken. However, he emphasized that government interventions to address this challenge are clear, funded, and scalable.

He pointed to programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, ghetto funds, and the boda boda fund as key pathways to transition households into the money economy.

On corruption, the President warned that graft persists mainly because it goes unreported, insisting that once exposed, it is decisively dealt with.

“The corruption by some of the executors is only because it is not reported. Once corruption is reported, it is stamped out. Do you remember Kazinda?” Museveni said, referring to a past high-profile corruption case.

Looking beyond Uganda, Museveni called for prayers for peace across Africa and deeper economic and political integration on the continent, saying this is essential for expanding markets and ensuring strategic security.

“The future is bright. Let us pray for peace in the whole of Africa and more economic and political integration,” he added.