President Yoweri Museveni has launched a scathing attack on what he described as complacent, self-serving, and non-performing leaders, warning that his new term will be marked by tougher accountability measures and a renewed push to lift all Ugandans out of poverty.

In his State of the Nation Address delivered at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Thursday, Museveni repeatedly returned to one theme: leaders who have failed to mobilise their communities out of poverty must either up their game or step aside.

The President's frustration was evident as he elaborated on his inauguration message of “No More Sleep” — a slogan he said had been misunderstood by some critics.

“It is 'no more sleep', “Museveni said, before expanding the phrase to include "no more corruption, no more kukongola (leaning on your hoe when others are digging), no more kugumaaza, no more kuhuzya (diverting from the goal), and no more politeness to non-performers who want leadership for their own ego and personal interests.”

The remarks set the tone for a speech that combined celebration of Uganda's economic gains with sharp criticism of leaders whom he accused of failing to guide their people towards wealth creation.

Museveni said he becomes almost nauseated when leaders complain about a lack of facilitation to reach their constituents. Reflecting on his early political activism in the 1960s, he recounted how he and fellow students travelled long distances on foot and by bicycle, or bus, often with little money, to mobilise communities.

He explained that he was able to sensitise Banyankore to abandon nomadism and settle for economic transformation, which he credits for the big milk production in the area.

Uganda produces about 5.4 billion litres of milk every year, and the area (Ankole), which leads in production, produces about 33 percent of the total national output, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
“Therefore, when I hear leaders talking of allowances to reach their people and get them out of poverty, I almost get nauseous,” he said. “Even those who get government allowances do not go to the field. I hear that many just stay in Kampala.”

Museveni argued that leadership should not be about distributing money to voters but helping people understand how to generate wealth through productive economic activities.

While his message appealed to Ugandans who feel the political class has made politics the most lucrative activity in the country, amassing wealth through fat allowances and corruption, some analysts say the President will have to walk the talk in this.

Just less than two months ago, the same President gifted each of the over 300 legislators of his party USh100 million ($27,000), which he said was to help them “wash off the sweat” of the campaigns they just went through.

“I am looking at something small, and something else later,” the President told legislators, promising them more. True, many legislators spent huge amounts of money in campaigns, and many may have incurred debts and needed such a relief, although analysts, including some opposition leaders, questioned the source, intent, and transparency of the funds.

Noel Henry Kasacca, a political analyst in Kampala, complained that such money could have been used to equip hospitals like the cancer institute, while another analyst wondered where the president gets such money, because he earns just less than “1,000 in salary per month.

In the past, his party has provided bicycles and motorcycles for local council leaders to do mobilisation. Even legislators have previously received money to enable them to move around their constituencies.
And Museveni’s criticism comes at a time when Uganda continues to implement flagship poverty eradication programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation, and the Uganda Development Bank financing schemes.

“We must ensure that house to house, families with land get into the money economy with calculation and planning,” he said, arguing that leaders should focus on helping citizens embrace commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and information technology.

Mr., who is in the 41st year at the helm of Uganda and just sworn in for his 7th elective term, says Uganda has developed and pointed to statistics showing Uganda's economic growth from a GDP of $3.9 billion in 1986 to $69.3 billion today, a reduction in poverty levels, and improvements in life expectancy and infant mortality.

Yet despite these gains, he acknowledged that many Ugandans remain outside the money economy and vowed to make household transformation the central mission of his new term.

The President promised that over the next five years, every household with land would have access to affordable capital through the Parish Development Model, adding that the government would continue injecting Shs100 million annually into each rural parish and Shs300 million into urban wards.

While the president emphasised performance in his new term, it will remain to be seen if the desire to reward cadres and political mobilisers won't derail real work, as his cabinet points more to continuity than performance.
“All the non-performers must leave leadership. Leadership is not for ego but for the people and the country,” Museveni declared.

Political analysts say the remarks signal a tougher approach as Museveni begins another term in office following the January 2026 elections. Having secured another mandate, the President appears determined to shift attention from political contests to economic transformation, while placing responsibility on local leaders to ensure government programmes deliver results.

Translating the President’s vision into measurable outcomes in communities where poverty, unemployment, limited access to markets, and limited public services, such as education and health, will be a tall order.