Time to get to work now that elections are over, president sworn in

COMMENT | NANTEZA SARAH KYOBE | Now that the new president is sworn in for the 2026-2031 term, the end of the election period also marks the start of the new Kisanja’s work.

In the concluding term, 2021-2026, we saw many achievements despite a few challenges, notably corruption. Some Ugandans I spoke with, while covering the swearing-in ceremonies and gathering public views on the concluded Kisanja and expectations for the new Kisanja, confirmed these achievements.

Most of the people I spoke with cited peace as the primary benefit, a catalyst that has enabled them to start various businesses, such as farming, and to access start-up capital through Emyooga and Parish Development Model initiatives. They also noted a good road network that facilitates the movement of their goods.

They told us that the initiatives have led them to start projects such as piggery farming, poultry enterprises, salons, and vegetable and fruit businesses, which have provided them with cash in their wallets and employment, exactly the result the president had in mind when he introduced these programs.

President Museveni launched the Emyooga and Parish Development Model initiatives, among other initiatives in previous terms, to boost wealth and job creation.

The people who listened to the president’s advice and got involved in the government’s programs do not regret it; they are just thanking the president for the good advice and the initiatives.

#ICYMI | PART ONE

Ugandans share the achievements of the past five years under President @KagutaMuseveni and express hope for the upcoming term cc. @KCCAUG | @KCCAED | #M7SwearsIn2026 pic.twitter.com/hSvKAIuIJ6

— Uganda Media Centre (@UgandaMediaCent) May 13, 2026

Joyce Nansubaga is one happy woman who benefited from the concluded Kisanja. She told me she received Parish Development Model funds and chicken that have turned her life around. Joyce told us her story when we caught up with her while heading to the Kololo ceremonial grounds to witness the swearing-in of the newly elected President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Other Ugandans are enjoying the newly constructed modern markets across the country, which have created space for them to sell their goods in a comfortable, free environment where they are not pushed around like they do on the streets.

Another Ugandan told us that he is happy to have gotten a free space in the Wandegeya market after being chased from the street and that he can now sell his shoes peacefully without being pursued or arrested, which was the order of the day while he was still on the street.

He told us that he can’t recall how many times he had been arrested while he was still selling his shoes on the streets.

Judith Bukirwa, a retailer also in Wandegeya Market, told us that the market saved her from the lords who used to take her goods because of rent. She told us that she is now at peace with selling her goods, knowing that no one will take them, since she is operating in the market for free, with no taxes, after President Museveni stopped all market fees.

We captured Judith and Peter’s views while we were filming Ugandans’ views on the upcoming presidential swearing-in at Wandegeya Market.

It’s high time the 33% of Ugandans not yet in the money economy join the 65% already in it, using the peace that has been created and government initiatives such as wealth creation programs (Emyooga and PDM), Presidential Skilling Hubs, markets, Emyooga, Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW), and the Agricultural Credit Facility.

Since it’s Kisanja, “No more sleep,” as the president said in his first speech of the new term, let’s wake up from our slumber; join government programs, and take advantage of infrastructure developments, such as a good road network, water, and electricity, to fight poverty in our homes and across the country, because no one is going to do it for us but ourselves.

It’s high time we listened to the president’s advice if we are to turn our lives and our country’s development around.