President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated the need for the Ugandan government to prioritize poverty alleviation above the creation of new cities and districts.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, during an engagement with journalists from Greater Luweero, Museveni made it clear that addressing the economic and social needs of Ugandans should be the foremost concern of the government.
“We should not concentrate on creating new cities and districts for the sake of it,” President Museveni said.
“We should not concentrate on creating new cities and districts for the sake of it,” President Museveni said.
“What people need is income, security, jobs, and infrastructure. These are the things that will improve their lives.”
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about Uganda’s administrative restructuring. Over the past decades, the government has pursued policies aimed at decentralization, which included the creation of new districts and urban centers.
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about Uganda’s administrative restructuring. Over the past decades, the government has pursued policies aimed at decentralization, which included the creation of new districts and urban centers.
Proponents argue this facilitates local governance and service delivery, but critics warn that the multiplication of administrative units sometimes stretches limited resources and may not always lead to real development benefits.
Museveni’s position emphasizes a more pragmatic approach: government efforts should first target poverty reduction and improvement of living standards before expanding administrative boundaries. He asked rhetorically, “Should we concentrate on new cities and districts or poverty alleviation? I choose the latter.”
Uganda faces persistent challenges with poverty, despite steady economic growth in recent years. According to national statistics, millions of Ugandans still live below the poverty line, especially in rural areas where opportunities for formal employment are scarce.
Museveni’s position emphasizes a more pragmatic approach: government efforts should first target poverty reduction and improvement of living standards before expanding administrative boundaries. He asked rhetorically, “Should we concentrate on new cities and districts or poverty alleviation? I choose the latter.”
Uganda faces persistent challenges with poverty, despite steady economic growth in recent years. According to national statistics, millions of Ugandans still live below the poverty line, especially in rural areas where opportunities for formal employment are scarce.
This has prompted calls for more targeted government intervention to create jobs, improve agricultural productivity, and expand access to essential services such as education and healthcare. President Museveni’s remarks underline the importance of ensuring that government resources are directed toward programs that deliver tangible benefits.
These include improving infrastructure—such as roads, electricity, and water supply—to boost economic activities and enhance quality of life. In addition, Museveni highlighted the need for security as a critical component of poverty alleviation.
“Without security, it is difficult to create an environment where people can invest and prosper,” he said.
The focus on poverty reduction aligns with the government’s broader development goals under the National Development Plan III and Vision 2040, which seek to transform Uganda into a middle-income country through inclusive growth.
Experts note that while administrative decentralization can improve governance, it must be balanced with effective service delivery and economic empowerment. Creating new districts and cities without sufficient funding and planning may divert attention and resources from urgent development needs.
Museveni’s statement also comes at a politically sensitive time, as debates around decentralization, urbanization, and resource allocation intensify ahead of the 2026 general elections. The President’s insistence on prioritizing poverty alleviation signals the government’s commitment to addressing core issues affecting citizens.
Several analysts interpret Museveni’s focus on poverty as a call to align government strategies with the realities on the ground—where many Ugandans continue to face unemployment, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate social services.
Civil society organizations have welcomed the call for poverty reduction, urging the government to implement policies that foster economic inclusion, job creation, and social protection.
The focus on poverty reduction aligns with the government’s broader development goals under the National Development Plan III and Vision 2040, which seek to transform Uganda into a middle-income country through inclusive growth.
Experts note that while administrative decentralization can improve governance, it must be balanced with effective service delivery and economic empowerment. Creating new districts and cities without sufficient funding and planning may divert attention and resources from urgent development needs.
Museveni’s statement also comes at a politically sensitive time, as debates around decentralization, urbanization, and resource allocation intensify ahead of the 2026 general elections. The President’s insistence on prioritizing poverty alleviation signals the government’s commitment to addressing core issues affecting citizens.
Several analysts interpret Museveni’s focus on poverty as a call to align government strategies with the realities on the ground—where many Ugandans continue to face unemployment, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate social services.
Civil society organizations have welcomed the call for poverty reduction, urging the government to implement policies that foster economic inclusion, job creation, and social protection.
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