President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged residents of Kawempe Division to focus on local wealth and job creation, warning young people against chasing what he described as “illusions abroad” instead of investing in productive sectors at home.
Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing a campaign rally at Mbogo playgrounds, Kawempe, during his second rally of the day after moving from Nansana with the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leadership.
The President who is also the NRM party flagbearer the said Uganda’s path to sustainable jobs and prosperity lies in four key economic sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
“This is very crucial because many people don’t know what to do and they get lost,” Museveni said. “That’s why people go to work in Dubai because they are looking for jobs. Yet here, there are more jobs than you can think of. Young people should know the address of wealth and jobs.”
He explained that even small-scale landholders in urban areas like Kawempe can benefit by choosing viable activities within the production chain.
“You can do poultry, piggery or mushroom growing in the backyard,” Museveni said. “Some of those things can be done here in Kawempe, Nansana and elsewhere. Those who have done it, have done it very well.”
Museveni cited the example of Johnson Basangwa from Kamuli District to illustrate the potential of commercial farming.
“He produces up to 2,500 trays of eggs per day,” Museveni said, noting that the venture earns about Shs 20 million daily and has created jobs for more than 300 people.
The President stressed that large-scale production, even in crops such as maize, generates employment through growing, processing, and trade, which is why government policy has focused on affordable capital since 1997.
Turning to the Parish Development Model (PDM), Museveni said funds are available but face misuse at the local level.
“Now, we have already made very good progress. First of all we have the money, and that money is coming but it’s being stolen on the way,” he said. “The real crime is deducting from the funds. It will land you in prison.”
He called for the election of effective parish committees and pledged to review why youth have not adequately benefited from the programme.
“We shall then increase the PDM funds per parish,” Museveni said.
Maama Janet Museveni thanked residents for the large turnout and urged them to vote for the NRM to safeguard Uganda’s development gains.
“Your vote is the brick that you put on the house of Uganda,” she said. “On the 15th of January go and vote for NRM and President Museveni so that Uganda can continue going forward.”
NRM First National Vice Chairperson Alhajji Moses Kigongo appealed for peaceful participation in the elections.
“As we vote for the NRM, we should ensure that we preserve peace and discipline,” he said.
Kawempe Division NRM Chairperson Hajjat Madina Nsereko thanked Museveni for development interventions in the area, particularly poverty alleviation programmes such as PDM.
Museveni concluded by urging Kawempe voters to turn out on January 15 and back the NRM, saying production-led growth remains Uganda’s surest route to jobs and shared prosperity.
