The Musevenomics Conference 2025 concluded today at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, with a strong consensus on the need to deepen Uganda’s socio-economic transformation through practical application of Musevenomics — the development philosophy inspired by the leadership and economic vision of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Held under the theme “Sustaining Musevenomics: Navigating Uganda’s Economic Future in a Disrupted World,” the two-day conference brought together policymakers, economists, business leaders, researchers, and diplomats to reflect on the past, evaluate current strategies, and shape Uganda’s economic direction in an increasingly volatile global environment.
Delivering the summary insights and recommendations, Dr. Patrick B. Birungi, Executive Director of the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), emphasized the enduring relevance and evolving nature of Musevenomics. “This is not a static theory. Musevenomics is dynamic, pragmatic, and integrative — drawing lessons from classical, Marxist, and liberal economic thought while remaining firmly rooted in Uganda’s context,” he said.
General Caleb Akandwanaho delivered a resounding call for comprehensive land reforms during the conference, describing Uganda’s distorted land market as “the most constrained factor of production" and a major obstacle to inclusive economic transformation. He emphasized the need to liberate the land market through functional, equitable and inclusive reforms that prioritise the rural poor, women and youth. “Land is the premier factor of production. Without secure, accessible land systems, no meaningful development can occur”, said General Akandwanaho.
In a moment that captured the sense of urgency in the room, the Governor of the Bank of Uganda was pointedly reminded of the long-standing call to revive the Cooperative Bank — a key institution once central to financing Uganda’s cooperative sector. Participants emphasized that access to affordable and accessible financing remains a stumbling block to the growth of cooperatives, particularly in rural areas where traditional commercial banks are either absent or inaccessible.
“There is a gap that only a dedicated Cooperative Bank can fill,” one participant noted. “It’s time we stopped talking and started acting. Cooperatives need a bank that understands their unique dynamics.” The Governor, in response, acknowledged the need for a specialized financial institution and promised to engage relevant actors in exploring viable models for such a bank.
Throughout the discussions, there was a shared recognition that cooperatives can play a transformative role in addressing youth unemployment, promoting women’s economic participation, and enhancing agricultural value chains. Speakers called for policy reforms, investment in digital tools to improve cooperative management, and a renewed commitment from government to protect cooperative assets.
The Musevenomics Conference comes at a time when Uganda is midway through its 2040 Vision, and it coincides with the initiation of the National Development IV.
Key Insights: Building from Strength, Tackling Persistent Gaps
The conference spotlighted Uganda’s notable achievements since 1986: macroeconomic stability, road and energy infrastructure expansion, liberalization of key sectors like coffee, and the growth of agro-industrialization hubs such as Namunkekera.
However, the discussions also laid bare stubborn bottlenecks, including land market dysfunction, shallow financial markets, bureaucratic inertia, misaligned education outputs, corruption, and high costs across key production factors like electricity, transport, and regulation.
“We cannot transform Uganda if our factories continue operating below 30% capacity while our land remains underutilized and youth lack relevant technical skills,” warned Prof. Julius Kiiza.
Delivering the Key note update on the economy, Mr. Ramathan Goobi, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said that Uganda’s economy grew by 6.1% last year, and we are projecting 6.4% growth this year. “Our macroeconomic stability is no accident, it is anchored by disciplined fiscal and monetary policies," he said.
Andrew Mwenda, Managing Director of the Independent, offered a media perspective saying, “We must tie government support to state-owned enterprises with strict performance targets”.
Action-Oriented Recommendations
The conference outlined bold, practical recommendations to sustain and accelerate Uganda’s transformation:
• Strengthen National Value Chains: Invest in complete agro-industrial chains—from production to packaging—to drive competitiveness in strategic sectors such as textiles, coffee, and oilseeds.
• Reform Land Management: Secure land tenure, streamline titling, and unlock land as productive capital through models like the landlord-developer-investor framework showcased in Kapeeka.
• Deepen Financial Markets: Make long-term, affordable finance accessible to SMEs and farmers; scale impact investing and fintech innovation to drive inclusion.
• Implement the "Six Highs" Framework: Systematically lower the cost of finance, electricity, transport, ICT, regulation, and land/labor to unlock wealth creation.
• Restructure the Civil Service: Align public service with performance, reduce redundancies, and prioritize strategic pay reform.
• Promote Mixed Economy Models: Encourage joint state-private enterprise development in key sectors, reviving the spirit of the Ten-Point Programme.
• Improve Tax and Payment Systems: Address delayed government payments and revise tax policies that burden businesses before actual cash flow occurs.
• Mobilize Communities for Transformation: Strengthen strategic guidance to economic agents and sustain efforts in mindset change to increase productivity and enterprise.
The Way Forward
The Musevenomics Conference 2025 reaffirmed the philosophy’s foundational role in Uganda’s journey and underscored its adaptability to future challenges. From geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions to climate change and digital transformation, Musevenomics remains a blueprint for inclusive, resilient, and homegrown development.
Dr. Birungi closed with a rallying call: “We now have a solid diagnosis. The task ahead is implementation. We must build a Uganda where prosperity is inclusive, growth is owned, and transformation is tangible in every household.”

Cooperatives Urged to Embrace Branding and Digital Marketing to Boost Visibility and Competitiveness

Kampala, Uganda – May 8, 2025 — The Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA) has called on cooperatives across the country to adopt strategic branding and marketing as essential tools for business development and sustainability. This call was made during a live television talk show aired on UBC TV on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, under the theme: “Cooperative Business Development through Visibility and Strategic Marketing.”

Hosted as part of UCA’s weekly cooperative dialogue series, the talk show featured CPA Ivan Asiimwe, the General Secretary of Uganda Cooperative Alliance, and Ms. Jacqueline Zawedde, the Communications and Marketing Officer. The discussion unpacked the critical gaps in marketing and branding among Ugandan cooperatives and proposed pathways to enhance their visibility and impact in an increasingly digital and competitive marketplace.

“The Cooperative Model is not just a business model—it’s a development strategy,” emphasized Mr. Asiimwe, reiterating the transformative power of cooperatives when properly positioned and marketed. “If we can invest in visibility and build stronger identities for our cooperatives, they can serve not just Uganda, but become benchmarks across Africa and the entire planet.”

The show highlighted the branding vacuum in many cooperatives, noting that while they play vital roles in community development and economic empowerment, their public perception and visibility remain limited.

Ms. Zawedde emphasized the significance of capacity building, stating that many cooperatives lack a clear understanding of how branding, digital marketing, and consumer orientation can elevate their operations.

“There is a real need to build the marketing capacity of cooperatives,” she said. “Branding is not just about a logo—it’s about identity, trust, and value. When cooperatives understand this, they can speak confidently to their stakeholders and market their products effectively.”

She went further to explain six key marketing orientations—production, product, selling, marketing, societal, digital—and how cooperatives can realign themselves to focus on customer-driven strategies. She urged cooperatives to embrace digital transformation to reach wider audiences and remain relevant.

“We are in the digital era. Cooperatives must digitize their processes—be it through social media, e-commerce, or digital storytelling. Without this, they risk being left behind,” said Ms. Zawedde.

In an appeal to government, Mr. Asiimwe called for subsidies and policy incentives to support the digitalization of cooperative structures, particularly in rural areas where connectivity and capacity are still lagging. “The government needs to step in and support the digital evolution of cooperatives. It is a necessity for growth and competitiveness”, he said.

He further called upon cooperatives to embrace marketing especially digital marketing in order to have a competitive advantage. 

Follow the conversation on you tube on the link below: https://youtu.be/GAhBZcaa1L8?si=afR7vZsz5VZdkHQT 

CPA Ivan Asiimwe, General Secretary of Uganda Cooperative Alliance and Vice President for Africa, is making waves at the International Co-operative Agricultural Organisation (ICAO) a sector of the International Co-operative Alliance meeting in Ankara, Turkey. His outstanding leadership and representation are shining a spotlight on Uganda's dedication to advancing cooperative agriculture globally. By participating in the 2025 ICAO EXCOM & Seminar, Asiimwe is reinforcing Uganda's commitment to promoting cooperative agriculture on the world stage.

CPA Ivan Asiimwe, General Secretary of Uganda Cooperative Alliance Ltd, played a key role in representing cooperators at a landmark event "the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wakandi and the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission." This significant occasion took place at the Norwegian Ambassador's residence in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with esteemed guests Her Excellency Kristin Hermansen and Mr. Espen Kvelland, CEO of Wakandi, in attendance.

Wakandi is a cutting-edge digital financial system designed specifically for cooperatives, offering formal financial services to cooperatives and microfinance institutions across Africa. By digitizing savings and loan management, Wakandi enables cooperatives to streamline their daily operations, ensuring accuracy, safety, and speed.

Notably, the Uganda Cooperative Alliance had previously signed an MOU with Wakandi in October 2024, aimed at digitalizing cooperatives to enhance transparency and accountability.

Uganda Co-Operative Alliance Hosted Members Of Parliament On The Committee Of Tourism, Trade And Industry On Wednesday 19th February 2025 In The UCA Conference Hall, Plot 47/49 Nkrumah Rd