KAMPALA, October 9, 2026 — The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has called on Ugandans to embrace economic independence, strengthen national sovereignty, fight corruption and accelerate wealth creation as the country celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary.
In her Independence Day address on the 64th Independence Anniversary officiated by H.E President Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Entebbe, delivered under the theme “Embracing Our Sovereignty with Hope and Visionary Leadership,” Babalanda said Uganda’s independence journey must go beyond the attainment of political freedom to include economic transformation, self-reliance, national security and the eradication of poverty.
She urged Ugandans to reflect on the country’s historical struggles, honour the sacrifices of its heroes and support efforts aimed at building a prosperous, secure and self-reliant nation.“Uganda’s independence was not achieved on a silver platter,” Babalanda said, paying tribute to the men and women who resisted colonial domination and laid the foundation for the country’s political liberation.
Honouring Uganda’s Independence HeroesBabalanda recalled the sacrifices of historical figures such as Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro and Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda, whose resistance to foreign domination became enduring symbols of the struggle to defend Uganda’s sovereignty.
She also recognised political pioneers, including Ignatius Musazi, Semakula Mulumba, Maindi, Miti and James Kivu, for their contributions to the country’s early nationalist movements.
The Minister highlighted the role played by formations such as Bataka Ba Buganda in the late 1940s and the Uganda National Congress, established in 1952, in advancing political mobilisation and the quest for political and economic liberation.
She said the sacrifices of these pioneers, alongside those of many other patriots whose contributions may not have been fully documented, must continue to inspire present and future generations.
Minister Babalanda noted that the lowering of the Union Jack on October 9, 1962, marked a defining moment in Uganda’s history but stressed that the achievement of political independence was only the beginning of a broader national liberation process.
According to the Minister, the responsibility of the current generation is to consolidate the gains of political freedom by addressing poverty, economic dependency, unemployment and underdevelopment.
Minister Babalanda credited President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni with advancing what she described as the second phase of Uganda’s liberation: the pursuit of economic and strategic independence.She observed that when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) assumed power in 1986, Uganda was emerging from prolonged political instability, economic decline and weakened public institutions.
She said the government’s task was not merely to restore political order but also to rebuild the economy and make independence meaningful to ordinary Ugandans.
The Minister emphasised President Museveni’s longstanding argument that political sovereignty cannot be fully realised without economic independence, particularly when a country depends heavily on imported manufactured goods while exporting predominantly unprocessed commodities.
She referred to the President’s emphasis on the traditional export sectors represented by coffee, cotton, copper, tobacco and tea, alongside tourism, as the 3Cs and 3Ts framework for understanding Uganda’s historical economic structure.
Minister Babalanda said Uganda must continue shifting from dependence on raw-material exports towards industrialisation, domestic manufacturing, value addition and expanded production.
She pointed to products such as sugar, soap, steel, cement, pharmaceuticals and processed foods as examples of goods that can increasingly be manufactured locally, creating opportunities for employment, investment and economic growth.
“This is more than industrial policy; it is economic liberation,” she said, arguing that a stronger domestic production base would enable Uganda to retain more value from its natural resources, expand its export capacity and reduce dependence on imported goods.
She called for sustained investment in productive sectors and encouraged Ugandans to participate in wealth creation by supporting local industries, improving productivity and embracing entrepreneurship.
The Minister further highlighted national security as a critical component of Uganda’s independence, crediting the government with rebuilding the country’s security institutions following years of instability.
She said the transformation of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) into a professional national army had strengthened the country’s capacity to defend its territorial integrity and contribute to regional and international peace and security.
Minister Babalanda observed that Uganda’s ability to deploy its own forces in support of peace and security initiatives beyond its borders demonstrated the country’s growing strategic capacity.
She also commended efforts to strengthen professionalism, accountability, operational efficiency and the fight against corruption and wastage within security institutions, including initiatives under the current Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The Minister stressed that national sovereignty must be protected against all forms of external dependence, including political, economic, intellectual and cultural dependence.She called on Ugandans to build institutions that serve the public efficiently and honestly, increase domestic production, create employment opportunities for young people and safeguard the country’s national interests.
In a personal reflection during the address, Babalanda expressed gratitude to President Museveni for entrusting her with responsibilities in the Presidency and retaining her in government.
She described the opportunity to serve as a privilege and acknowledged the President’s mentorship and confidence in her leadership.
Drawing from the biblical account in Luke 17:11–19, in which one of the ten healed lepers returned to thank Jesus, Babalanda said she considered it important to publicly acknowledge the President’s support.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Thank you for the mentorship. And thank you for believing that people from ordinary backgrounds can make extraordinary contributions to Uganda,” she said.
She praised what she described as President Museveni’s willingness to identify leadership potential among Ugandans from different social and economic backgrounds, noting that a person’s origins should not determine their ability to contribute to national development.
Using the biblical example of David, who rose from humble beginnings to become a leader, Babalanda said visionary leadership involves recognising potential in people whom others may overlook.
Her remarks underscored her appreciation for the President’s confidence in her service in the Presidency and her continued commitment to supporting Uganda’s development agenda.
Minister Babalanda also reflected on President Museveni’s attendance at her thanksgiving ceremony in Buyende District, saying the occasion provided an opportunity for the Head of State to communicate a broader message of hope, restoration, transformation and wealth creation.
She expressed gratitude to the President for attending the ceremony, noting that his message extended beyond the personal event to address the aspirations of the people of Buyende, the wider Busoga sub-region and Uganda as a whole.
The Minister said the message of wealth creation should inspire households, communities and local leaders to embrace productive economic activities and participate actively in national development programmes.
She urged Ugandans to translate the ideals of independence into practical action by improving household incomes, supporting local enterprise and contributing to the country’s economic transformation.Renewed Call to Fight CorruptionA central message in Babalanda’s address was the need to intensify the fight against corruption, which she described as an obstacle to effective public service delivery and national development.
She called on Ugandans to support President Museveni’s efforts to combat corruption and ensure that public resources are used for their intended purposes.
The Minister emphasised that the fight against corruption must be accompanied by stronger accountability, integrity and efficiency across public institutions.
She said national independence would remain incomplete if corruption, poverty and economic dependency continued to undermine the country’s development ambitions.Babalanda urged public officials to uphold ethical standards and serve citizens honestly, while calling for a collective commitment to protecting public resources and strengthening institutions.
She maintained that the responsibility to build a prosperous Uganda rests not only with government but also with citizens, leaders and institutions across the country.
As Uganda marked 64 years of independence, Babalanda called upon Almighty God to continue granting President Museveni wisdom, strength and good health to guide the country’s transformation.
Referring to Isaiah 38:5, which recounts God’s promise to extend King Hezekiah’s life, she expressed the hope that the President would be granted 18 more productive years to continue contributing to Uganda’s development and complete what she described as the unfinished mission of the country’s liberation.
Her remarks reflected her support for the President’s continued leadership and her conviction that Uganda’s development ambitions require sustained commitment to economic transformation, national security and the fight against corruption.
Concluding her address, Minister Babalanda challenged Ugandans to recognise that the responsibilities of independence have evolved over the past six decades.She said the generation that secured political independence fought to remove colonial rule, while the present generation must confront the persistent challenges of poverty, dependency and underdevelopment.
“The first generation fought to remove the colonial flag; our generation must remove the chains of poverty, dependency and underdevelopment,” she said.
The Minister called for unity of purpose, visionary leadership and collective responsibility in building a country where citizens can enjoy the benefits of political freedom through improved livelihoods, economic opportunity and effective public services.
She urged Ugandans to honour the sacrifices of their forebears by protecting the country’s sovereignty, strengthening national institutions and accelerating the transition towards a productive and self-reliant economy.
Minister Babalanda concluded by wishing Ugandans a happy 64th Independence Anniversary and invoking God’s blessings upon the nation.
“May God bless Uganda. Long live H.E. the President.”
As the country commemorates its independence on October 9, 2026, her message places economic self-reliance, accountable leadership, national security and the fight against corruption at the centre of Uganda’s continuing journey towards sustainable development.
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