WEALTH IS THE KEY: President Museveni Rallies Ugandans on Job Creation at Labour Day Celebration

By Okidi Patrick

BUIKWE  UGANDA– President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to shift their focus from seeking jobs to creating wealth, asserting that the secret to ending unemployment lies in modern commercial agriculture and following government technical advice.
Presiding over the International Labour Day celebrations at Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary School grounds in Matale, Buikwe District, the President emphasized that with 40 million acres of arable land, Uganda has no reason to grapple with joblessness.
The celebrations were held under the theme: “Safeguarding Uganda’s Progress: Empowering the Workforce and Promoting Decent Work for Competitive Enterprise.”
To illustrate his point, the President cited the success story of Mr. Richard Nyakana of Fort Portal, who generates over UGX 200 million annually from just 1.2 acres of land.
“The issue is not jobs; it is about following government advice,” the President said. He noted that if citizens emulated models like Nyakana’s—who employs 12 people through poultry and dairy—or the Basangwa model in Kamuli, the country would see a natural explosion of employment opportunities.
Boosting PDM Funding:
In a major boost to grassroots empowerment, the President revealed plans to double the Parish Development Model (PDM) funding from UGX 100 million to UGX 200 million in the next government term. He, however, sent a stern warning to beneficiaries to ensure they repay the revolving funds to sustain the initiative.
On the issue of capital, he cautioned against high-interest commercial bank loans, advising entrepreneurs to utilize the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) for affordable credit.
The President attributed Uganda’s industrial leap—now boasting over 5,000 factories—to the NRM government’s commitment to peace and electricity. He urged Members of Parliament to prioritize funding for key infrastructure, including the oil refinery, water transport links with Tanzania, and the railway system.
Addressing workers’ welfare, the President pledged that the government would secure land near industrial parks for affordable housing schemes, potentially through the National Housing and Construction Company.
Environmental Protection
On the environment, the President advocated for the “Limoto Model” of wetland management, where farmers earn UGX 70 million per acre from fish farming at the edges of wetlands rather than destroying them for rice. He noted that preserved wetlands are crucial for irrigation, which has helped government farms in Bushenyi multiply banana yields tenfold.
Leaders Speak Out
Vice President Jessica Alup, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi,and Esther Anyakun, commended the President for his unwavering focus on workers’ rights and the peace that has turned Buikwe into a thriving industrial hub.