President Yoweri Museveni has said that save for the internal weaknesses, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party enjoys the widest support in the country and there is no way the party can be defeated.
Museveni also said NRM expected to win the 2021 elections with over 80% of the vote.
President Museveni made the remarks during the 40th Tarehe Sita celebrations to mark the National Resistance Army’s first attack on February 6, 1981 which culminated into a 5 year guerilla war that ushered the NRM into power. The National Resistance Army later evolved into the current army, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces -UPDF.
“It’s not easy to defeat NRM politically because for the last 60 years; we have never let down anybody. Sentimentally, NRM has over 80% support of Ugandans and that’s what we had hoped to get in elections” Museveni said.
Museveni explained that Ugandans love the NRM because it has succeeded where earlier government had failed citing the flouring peace and the ever-growing economy. He also referred to those opposing his government as “parasites whose lies have been rejected.” Museveni was declared the winner of the January 14th presidential elections with 58% of the vote beating his closest rival at 35%.
“Uganda which was a collapsed state is now one of the world’s fastest-growing economies with an expanded GDP. Everything is now in surplus and with peace no one can legitimately oppose NRM. Those opposing NRM are parasites. We shall isolate you.” Museveni said.
Citing peace, Museveni said Northern Uganda is now booming with businesses whereas in West Nile, locals returned from exile where they had been forced by earlier governments.
“There is no way anybody can defeat NRM, otherwise from its own internal weaknesses…For instance in Northern Uganda, they would tell lies that we are against them yet we stood with them against Idi Amin. How can you say we are against them? After some time, the liars are exposed and get rid of them.
Sending congratulatory messages to the UPDF, Museveni said he is happy that for the past 40 years, the army has tremendously supported Uganda’s transformation journey.
“I thank the UPDF for being able to defend the country even when you don’t have everything you need. A poor man must also defend his home. Uganda is a good example of how you can defend your country even without of all you need” he said.
The President noted that in the coming term, he would concentrate much on social-economic transformation of the people having put in place the necessary infrastructure including roads, health facilities.
“The health centers and roads among others are there but social-economic transformation is lacking. People need to stop working for the stomach but focus on earning money too. This is one of the biggest things to work on.”
He however noted that when everyone joins the money economy, the challenge will now be lack of enough market but noted this would be tackled through the East African integration that will create a wider market for goods.