Yoweri Museveni has publicly responded to veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda in a strongly worded statement defending his leadership, industrialization agenda, and government-backed investment projects.
In a lengthy commentary titled “Mr Mwenda, thank you for declaring me incapable of judging right,” President Museveni accused Mwenda of dismissing Uganda’s industrial and scientific progress while promoting what he described as “neo-colonial” thinking.
The president’s response followed criticism reportedly made by Mwenda questioning several government-supported projects and Museveni’s decision-making capacity.
Museveni opened his response by sarcastically thanking the journalist for describing him as “senile and incapable of judging right,” before insisting that even at 82 years old he remained capable of defending Uganda “with the Bible, the AK-47 and the pen.”
The Ugandan leader went on to challenge Mwenda to personally investigate several locally driven projects and innovations that government has supported over the years.
Among the projects Museveni defended were herbal medicine initiatives associated with David Ssenfuka, industrial ventures led by Magoola and Tugume, banana research projects linked to Professor Muranga, and the state-backed Kiira Motors vehicle manufacturing initiative.
According to Museveni, critics who dismiss such projects fail to appreciate the importance of industrialization and value addition in Africa’s economic transformation.
The president argued that Uganda and Africa continue losing enormous wealth by exporting raw materials instead of processed products.
As an example, Museveni pointed to gold exports, claiming Africa loses significant value by exporting partially refined gold rather than fully processed products. He also cited coffee exports, arguing that processed coffee generates far higher earnings than raw coffee beans.
Museveni further defended his government’s decision to ban the export of unprocessed minerals, saying the policy has helped expand Uganda’s gold refining industry.
According to the president, Uganda now hosts 10 gold refineries and has significantly increased its gold export earnings in recent years.
The public exchange has drawn significant attention because of the long and complex relationship between Museveni and Mwenda, who has for years remained one of Uganda’s most influential political commentators.
Mwenda, founder of The Independent Uganda, is widely known for his outspoken political analysis and commentary on governance, economics, and African development.
Analysts say the latest clash reflects broader ideological debates in Uganda surrounding industrial policy, state intervention, scientific innovation, and the country’s economic direction.
The dispute also highlights growing tensions between sections of Uganda’s intellectual and political class over the effectiveness of government-backed industrialization projects and public investment strategies.
While supporters of Museveni argue that state-led industrialization remains critical for Uganda’s long-term transformation, critics have questioned the sustainability, accountability, and commercial viability of some publicly supported ventures.
The exchange has since sparked widespread debate online and within political circles, with supporters from both sides weighing in on the future of Uganda’s economic development model.