President Yoweri Museveni has lashed out at tribalism, religious divisions, and economic narrow-mindedness that, according to him, are choking Uganda’s progress.

This was at the Anglican Shrine in Namugongo during Martyrs’ Day celebrations on June 03rd, 2025. Museveni in the company of the first lady and Education Minister graced this year’s celebrations as the chief guest of honour. Security was extremely heightened at the event.

Museveni repeated a rhetorical sledgehammer: “You are busy with the tribes. You are busy with the denominations”, words he hammered over 20 times in a row.

“Have you heard of East Africa? Have you heard of Africa? But you are busy with the tribes. Other two principles, socio-economic transformation and democracy.” Museveni said, decrying Ugandans’ obsession with identity politics at the cost of regional prosperity.

He warned that both tribal and even national markets are no longer sufficient for Uganda’s “surplus” of goods, listing bananas, beef, cement, steel, and even commercial explosives. He called on citizens to think regionally and continentally.

“We soon discovered that even the market of Uganda is not big enough to guarantee our prosperity. Now that Uganda has settled down, we have got surplus production for very many products. Milk, bananas, beef, maize, cement, steel products, sugar, blankets, tires, commercial explosives, ceramic tires, industrial starch, etc. Where do we sell this surplus? The NIM comes in with an answer. Have you heard of East Africa?” He said

Museveni reminded the congregation that under the peace ushered in by the NRM. He reaffirmed the NRM’s core pillars , patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy telling Ugandans to reject tribal and religious sectarianism in favour of a bigger vision rooted in shared prosperity.

“The first ideological principle of the NRM is patriotism. Love Uganda because it is your market. But even Uganda is not enough,” Museveni said.

In a moment of spiritual reflection, Museveni recalled his time as president of Scripture Union in the 60s, quoting the parable of the Good Samaritan and warning religious leaders not to compete but instead inspire through actions: “Let your light so shine before men”

He even took listeners back to the bush war, recalling how he used science over superstition to unite people:

“A reed is not protection against bullets. The bullet does not fear Mayembe,” he said, mocking traditional charms.

Museveni also announced that the government contributed UGX 2 billion each to the Catholic and Anglican celebrations and UGX 200 million to the Muslims. He revealed plans to make this an annual budget item, and pledged support to Muslims once their site is ready.

“I’m very happy to see you walking, sleeping here. Let’s honour those young men who defied Mwanga’s narrow-mindedness,” he said, praising the Uganda Martyrs.