64TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: Minister Babalanda Calls for Economic Independence and Stronger Anti-Corruption Drive

What the report says

Uganda’s Minister for the Presidency, Babirye Milly Babalanda, used the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary address to urge Ugandans to pursue economic independence alongside political sovereignty, while also stepping up the fight against corruption and poverty. The remarks were delivered in Kampala on October 9, 2026, during celebrations officiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Entebbe, under the theme “Embracing Our Sovereignty with Hope and Visionary Leadership.”

According to Watchdog Uganda, Babalanda said independence should mean more than the end of colonial rule. She called for greater self-reliance, stronger national institutions, more domestic production and wider participation in wealth creation. She argued that Uganda should move further from exporting raw materials and importing finished goods, and instead expand local manufacturing, value addition and entrepreneurship.

The minister also linked independence to security and state capacity. She credited the government with rebuilding security institutions after years of instability and said the Uganda People’s Defence Forces has become a more professional force. She said protecting sovereignty requires resisting political, economic, intellectual and cultural dependence, while ensuring public institutions are efficient and accountable.

Babalanda also paid tribute to historical figures and nationalist movements that contributed to Uganda’s liberation, and expressed gratitude to Museveni for entrusting her with public service. The address fits into a wider annual tradition in Uganda in which leaders use Independence Day to review national progress and outline priorities for development.