Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Saturday, February 3, shared tips with legislators on how to become a wealthy and successful politician.
In a statement, Museveni who has been in power for more than 30 years emphasized the strategic importance of making correct decisions.
“During rationalization, the entire government structure should be geared towards supporting wealth creators, as they are vital in the country’s development.
The strategic question remains: where does wealth come from? It comes from enabling families, companies, and individuals to produce and sell goods/services,” stated Museveni when he met the NRM parliamentary caucus to discuss the Rationalization of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure.
According to the Ugandan leader, “The wealth creators include commercial farmers, manufacturers, service providers and the ICT sector.”
He added that they require peace, infrastructure (such as roads, railways, and electricity), capital, skills and technical support.
Museveni who is loved and hated in equal measure in some parts of Uganda and around the world, further talked about becoming successful in politics.
“I also advised the legislators that if they want to be successful politicians, they must help the people they serve create wealth by sensitising them to embrace the four sectors of the economy.”
He has been the president of Uganda since 1986, when he took over from Idi Amin Dada.
The presidency seat has helped Museveni accumulate wealth, not just through the perks that come with the big seat, like the ability to influence and control policies that favor his businesses, but also through the incredible salaries and allowances that he receives.
Museveni in power for decades
Besides receiving the income and benefits associated with being president, President Museveni is a prominent rancher in Uganda, descended from cattle keepers.
Both the main ranch in Kisozi and the property in Rwakitura belong to the head of state. Museveni receives income from his ranches’ milk and beef sales, which add significantly to his wealth.
Also Read: Bobi Wine Arrested Amid Anti-Museveni Protests
A significant number of Kampala’s restaurants and hotels mostly source their beef from the president, who reportedly sells at least 600 cattle annually. Consists mostly of Ankole cows, numbering over 10,000.
President Museveni was said to have spent an extravagant Kesh 6 billion on two opulent automobiles in 2018.
One of the two luxurious cars that generated an uproar was a Mercedes Benz S500 Pullman Guard limousine.
Museveni vs Bobi wine
Bobi Wine, Uganda’s pop singer-turned-politician, is one of the most vocal challengers of his country’s longtime president, Yoweri Museveni.
Last summer, Wine was arrested and says he was beaten and tortured by presidential guards after clashes between opposition supporters and supporters of Uganda’s ruling part.
Also Read: Museveni Reveals Strategy to Solve Imports Row with Ruto
“I’m supposed to be a dead man,” he told NPR in September of last year, while he was in the U.S. for medical treatment.
The Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF), the country’s army, has become more expansive under his leadership. He’s infamous for planning ruthless crackdowns on opposition.
Apart from Wine, Museveni has also clashed with Kizza Besigye.
Uganda leader of opposition Bobi Wine. PHOTO/Courtesy
