The president’s State of the Nation was mostly attended by government officials and journalists. On the security of the country, president Museveni reassured the nation that there were no major threats to be concerned about but he lashed out at the Opposition whom he accused of luring the youths into subversive activities like violent protests.
"The allegations go that foreign money through NGOs is given to some of our youths to burn tires on the road. If you burn tires on the road you are given 100,000 shillings to give an impression of instability that Kampala is burning. They are paid 100,000 by NGOs." Said, H.E Yoweri Museveni – President of Uganda.
According to President Museveni, the country still faces a challenge of urban crime that is creating fear among members of the public. “The urban crime that saw the death of the Sheikhs, Joan Kagezi, Maj. Kiggundu, Kawesi, Magara, Abiriga and now Kirumira has scared people…”
President Museveni revealed that government was set to put aside 57 billion shillings for a reserve force of Local Defense Units to counter the rampant killings around Kampala and Wakiso districts. "We are now going to call up the reserves and they man these little trading centers and we arm them. Of course, it would create a little bit of an expense, an extra 57 billion in the budget but that's no problem.
We must make sure that total peace against crime is restored." President Museveni didn't have any kind words for the media which he said was always intent on portraying a negative image of his government. "This country does not belong to you, it belongs to us. You have no right to misrepresent our country. You don't have that right, you can only report the truth but beyond the truth, you have no right. So that one also should be clear."
The president also said, allegations of torture by Kyadondo East MP Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi and Mityana Municipality Legislator Hon. Francis Zaake were complete fabrications. “What if it turns out that the ones who say that were tortured, were not tortured? And the reality was different, what will happen to the false accusations? I think if the law allows getting damages that would be good for my party the NRM.
Some of the NGO money via the Opposition may in the end help to fund the NRM so am just waiting.” The president further blamed the NGOs in the country for supporting the Opposition to destabilize the country. “NGOs funded by foreign governments actually give money to Opposition players, give advice, lie on their behalf etc. These foreigners may think that Africans are weak and foolish.”
According to President Museveni, Uganda has realized steady economic growth with surplus electricity at its disposal, more exports to Kenya than imports as well as growth in Infrastructure with more roads available for modernization of the country.
