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With the 2026 elections approaching, President Yoweri Museveni has sounded off at Ugandans bombarding him with numerous requests, which are not yet budgeted for by the government.
The president decried the habit of citizens coming to him with requests to solve their local problems wherever he goes, which he said has been “distracting.”
Such requests, Museveni said on Sunday, do not take into account the government’s current goals and priorities.
He likened them to passengers in a car who risk their lives by constantly distracting the driver.
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“I don't want you to keep disturbing me. Stop shouting at me while I am on the wheel driving,” Museveni said.
“I am in the driver’s seat, but there are so many voices behind me, telling me what to do and how to drive. You will make me lose control. Let me drive you to your destination. Do make me cause an accident.”
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Government has other priorities
Museveni was on Sunday afternoon addressing residents of Kamwenge district in his ongoing Parish Development Model (PDM) zonal tour.
During the rally, local leaders enumerated many challenges they are facing, among them, the poor state of roads in the area.
They pointed out the Fort Portal-Kijura road, and Kyenjonjo-Kahungye-Kamwenge roads. Both roads need about Shs 77 billion to be worked on.
President Museveni said while the government is aware of these roads, the focus is currently on Poverty alleviation programs such as PDM and Emyooga.
“I understand that these roads need to be worked on, but we are spending money on other important programs such as PDM and Emyooga, which are taking Shs 1.5 trillion,” he said.
“We want to reach out to people in rural areas who are trapped in poverty. Should we abandon them because you people want tarmacked roads? We are going to work on all roads, but we also have to take a step back and help the poorest.”