I’m a modern-day king, says Museveni

President Museveni
What you need to know:
- Mr Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 when he shot his way to State House after a five-year guerrilla warfare, said the politicians are to blame for making an impression that they have a lot of money.
President Museveni has warned politicians, especially those who subscribe to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, against bribing voters as Uganda prepares for the 2026 general election.
Mr Museveni, who has been on several occasions criticised for donating cash envelopes to voters whenever he visits some parts of the country, said he, like the traditional kings, is the only Ugandan politician with the right to make such donations.
According to him, this is because the cash donations he makes are provided for in the national budget.
In the budget, the president has nearly Shs140 billion for his community outreach and initiatives, while the donation for Vice President Jessica Alupo’s office is over 700 million.
“I have heard that some of you (politicians) give bribes to voters because I give khaki envelopes. I don’t sell my cows to generate money for khaki envelopes. Stop trying to be like kings. Only traditional kings were allowed to make such donations to their subjects. I give khaki envelopes because I’m a modern-day king. It’s provided for in the budget,” said Mr Museveni, who’s widely expected to run for office next year as he seeks to extend his leadership to 45 years.
He revealed that some MPs have accumulated debts and have "run away from their constituencies."
"I'm told some MPs are internally displaced persons," he said during the 2025/2026 financial year budget reading at Kololo Independence grounds on June 12, 2025.
Mr Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 when he shot his way to State House after a five-year guerrilla warfare, said the politicians are to blame for making an impression that they have a lot of money.
“When MPs start making such donations, they carry a big burden. It’s extortion. But MPs are to blame because they created the impression that they had such money,” Mr Museveni said.
He urged the electorate to vote for politicians who care and not those who give them money in exchange for votes.
"Voters need to know that this practice of fundraising and bribes is undermining the voters' power. Dear voters, you are overthrowing your power by voting for people simply because they gave you money," he said.
He also urged religious leaders to start questioning politicians whenever they make big cash donations and pledges during church events.
“Church leaders should question such people who throw around money. Ask them where they get such money. You’re like their parents. If you see your child doing such things, you question them,” Mr Museveni, 80, said.
The president also warned local government officials and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) against laxity in monitoring government projects such as feeder roads.
"If the money we are giving you is not enough, tell us. Maintain the present roads. This is a must, and I will check, and there will be casualties at the local government level," he said.
In his speech, the president said Uganda is no longer a least developed country.
"We are now a lower-middle-income country," he said.