The Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilization, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga on Friday May 2, 2025, met with Kalerwe women vendors at Kalerwe market, Kawempe Division.

During the meeting, Mr. Byaruhanga on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched two types of affordable loans to help the vendors and boda boda riders improve their livelihoods by stabilizing their incomes.

According to Mr. Byaruhanga, through the Microfinance Support Centre, the Katale loan initiative will be put up in each market and vendors will be able to access it at only 8 percent interest per year.

“We calculated that if you get a loan of Shs1m, the interest will be Shs80,000 per year. This will come with no collateral and there will be no money for registration,” he noted.

Mr. Byaruhanga added that boda boda riders will also be able to access “boda boda loans” whereby they will be required to pay Shs7.2m for a boda boda of Shs6m, after full payment of the loan.

“We don’t need any deposit, GPS for tracking will be installed on the motorcycle and it will also be insured.”
On the other hand, Mr. Byaruhanga cautioned the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) enforcement team against confiscating the merchandise of vendors.

“Take a video if anyone tries to confiscate your property and present it to the authorities,” he advised.

He further revealed that he was going to engage the KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki on the issue.

On the issue of property tax, Mr. Byaruhanga stated that if a house is occupied by the owners not for rent or business, they should not pay such tax.
He also supported luggage carriers in the market with Shs5m as well as Kalerwe Women Vendors SACCO with Shs 5m to help boost their businesses.

Mr. Byaruhanga further pledged to support the SACCO of Kawempe boxing club with capital and gym equipment.

Ms. Namata Justine, the chairperson of Kalerwe Women Vendors Association thanked President Museveni for the support aimed at improving the livelihoods of ordinary Ugandans.
“The President through his support has helped women take care of their homes,” she said.

Since the Government rolled out the Parish Development Model (PDM) in 2022, the biggest percentage of the beneficiaries in Buyende district invested in agricultural and livestock enterprises.

Their investment is paying off. In a report that the district production and marketing office released before the presidential PDM tour in Busoga region in February, Dr George Patrick Kabbale, also the PDM focal person, said livestock farming was ranked as the best performing enterprise in the rural district.

The thriving enterprises include rearing local breeds of goats, cows and poultry (chickens and turkeys). Other types of poultry that farmers are rearing include sasso (red cross breed) birds, layers and kuroiler birds.

“We assessed hundreds of enterprises and identified 110 best performing farmers. Of these, 15 ranked best,” said Kabbale.

In the random sampling assessment, which the offices of the chief administrative officer (CAO) and the production department conducted between November 2024 and January 2025, it was established that the PDM scaled up the livestock production in Buyende.

In 2024, the district was ranked as the top performing, role model district in effectively handling the PDM cash disbursement.

The ranking was announced by finance minister Matia Kasaija during the annual review meeting in Jinja city in December last year, and named Buyende as Busoga region’s PDM support centre, where technocrats and local leaders with PDM disbursement-related challenges now go for benchmarking.

Based on records in the CAO’s office, so far, officials from the districts of Namutumba, Luuka, Jinja, Mayuge, Namayingo, Iganga and Kamuli, have visited Buyende for benchmarking.

7,300 beneficiaries got sh15b

Kabbale said courtesy of the PDM funds, 73 savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCOS) were formed of 1,533 registered enterprise groups. That was between March 2021 and July 2024.

“Each SACCOS was corresponding to the respective administrative parishes in the 10 sub-counties and four town councils in the district,” he said.

The beneficiaries were categorised in groups of women, youth, men persons with disabilities and the elderly.

A total of 7,300 farmers (100 per parish) were prepared and received a loan of sh1m each to invest in agro enterprises.

The beneficiaries have received a total of sh15b in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years.

To ensure that funds were not misappropriated, before the loans were disbursed, PDM officials carried out trainings for beneficiaries on financial discipline and business planning.

Additionally, there were trainings on mindset change and zero tolerance to corruption.

Monica Nanswama, the LC5 secretary for finance, planning and administration lauded the PDM officials for transparency, gender equality and inclusiveness during disbursement of the funds.

Challenges

The PDM journey has had challenges, ranging from the poor mindset of the beneficiaries who assume that the funds are a token of appreciation from the Government.

Consequently, a big percentage of the beneficiaries are reluctant to repay the loan.

Secondly, the beneficiaries grapple with the challenge of climate vagaries that include excessive rains that cause floods and long dry spells that compromise harvests.

Crop yield failure leads to reduced income among the beneficiaries, especially those along the floods and drought prone areas.

For livestock farmers, floods cause the hooves of their animals to crack, reducing their profit margins as they incur high costs in treating the animals.

Kabbale said lack of electricity and incessant outages, as well as poor Internet connectivity in hard-to-reach areas, affected the vetting process that was done using laptops.

The other challenge is the PDM executives at parish level, who extort money from the beneficiaries in the guise of entering their data in the system, alongside the vice of selecting close relatives and friends to access PDM funds, locking out worthy beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries speak out

In Ndolwa–Makanga village in Buyende town council, Moses Sekitoleko bought three piglets at sh200,000, all together, using the PDM cash in 2021.

Within 20 months, the parent stock had birthed 24 piglets.

He sold some of the piglets to expand the enterprise.

Today, Sekitoleko has a piggery with 35 mature pigs and 10 piglets.

“Paying fees for my children is no longer a problem. I am also set to sell part of the pigs to construct a better house,” he said.

Margaret Babirye, a resident of Busikwe village, Gumpi parish in Gumpi sub-county, in June 2022, bought four pigs, which birthed 22 piglets by the close of 2022.

She sold 11 piglets at sh600,000. Today, Babirye has four pigs with one boar and three sows and dreams of having 50 animals by the close of this year.

Fatuma Nairuba, a resident of Bukonoka zone in Nakabira ward, Buyende town council, bought 200 chicks in 2023, which have multiplied to 900 birds.

“I have sold off the mature birds and replaced the chicks. My target is to expand to 2,500 birds by the close of this year,” she said, adding that the challenging factor are the feed prices that shoot, especially between February and May, then September and December. Mirabu Nambi, a peasant from Kakira village, Nsomba parish in Kagulu sub-county, opted for dairy farming in 2023.

She bought a bull of an indigenous breed at sh800,000, which she later sold and topped up with sh700,000 to buy a cow and a calf.

“I get 10 litres of milk per day, which translates to sh7,000 per day. The estimated cost for both animals is sh2m,” Nambi said.

Henry Mande, a farmer from Igomero village in Ikanda parish, Buyende sub-county, went for maize and dairy enterprises. In the fi rst season of 2023, he planted two acres of maize which yielded 1,300kg.

Mande sold each at sh800 earning sh1,040,000. He used part of this to buy a heifer at sh800,000.

It produced a calf and yields seven litres of milk, earning sh7,000 daily.

In 2023, Andrew Segawa, a resident of Gumpi in Gumpi parish, used the loan to buy three nanny goats, which produce six kids every five months. The enterprise has multiplied to 26 animals.

About PDM

Finance minister Matia Kasaija said the Parish Development Model (PDM) is aimed at creating wealth and improving the quality of life among Ugandans.

This will be achieved through stimulating agricultural and livestock production, improving storage, value addition and marketing. In the national budget, PDM falls under the human capital development.

The funds are channelled through the Parish Development Management Information Service, the Financial Inclusion System and “Wendi” Mobile Wallet System, through Post Bank.

The beneficiaries are chosen by the community and the PDM team in enterprise group meetings, which the LC1 chairpersons, attend.

The Buyende chief administrative officer, Elizabeth Adong, said the meetings confirm whether or not the loan applicant comes from a subsistence household in that community to guard against fraudsters.

Brigadier General Godfrey Muwanguzi, Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), has embarked on a four-day working visit to Buvuma Island to monitor the progress of the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP) and assess the impact of the Parish Development Model (PDM) on local communities.

As part of his itinerary, Brig Gen Muwanguzi toured oil palm plantations and engaged in discussions with investors and community leaders aimed at strengthening cooperation and enhancing project outcomes.

In a key meeting with district officials, Brig Gen Muwanguzi called for lessons to be drawn from Kalangala’s successful model, encouraging Buvuma leaders to adopt proactive strategies to overcome existing hurdles and drive development. “We must remain united in our pursuit of government goals for social and economic transformation,” he stated.

He further stressed the critical role of the Four Cs—Command, Control, Timely Communication, and Effective Coordination—in ensuring the success of both the oil palm and PDM initiatives.

Resident District Commissioner Jacqueline Birungi hailed the visit as a motivational boost for local leadership, reaffirming their commitment to Uganda’s transformation agenda.

Chief Administrative Officer Mboogo Issa commended the government for the progress brought by the oil palm project. “Our communities are transitioning from subsistence to sustainable economic activities, with oil palm cultivation leading the way,” he said.

Mr Mboogo cited notable improvements in education, roads, safe water, housing, nutrition, and clothing, attributing much of this to the growth of the sector. However, he also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including delayed landowner compensation, slow fund disbursement to smallholder farmers, late payments to tenant cultivators, and persistent transport difficulties.

District Chairperson Adrian Ddungu Wasswa applauded President Yoweri Museveni for spearheading financial inclusion efforts that have enhanced the effectiveness of government initiatives. He also praised OWC’s collaborative style and lauded the dedication of the local coordinator.

Since its inception in 2019, the oil palm project has achieved the planting of 2,600 hectares out of a targeted 8,584. The first harvest, recorded in October 2024, marked a significant milestone, offering encouraging signs despite lingering obstacles.

The National Coordinator of the Parish Development Model Secretariat (PDM), Dr. Dennis Galabuzi  together with Brig. Gen. Godfrey Muwanguzi the  Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation officially launched the Practical Training Center (PTC) for PDM beneficiaries in Butambala District.

As part of the event, 50 potential beneficiaries from Kasozi Parish, Ngando Sub-county, were awarded certificates upon completing a two-month practical training program focused on Banana, Coffee, and Piggery enterprises. Under the PDM pillars, the training initiative aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to make informed investment decisions and minimize financial risk.

The certification marks a key milestone, signifying readiness for the disbursement of Parish Revolving Funds. Local government leaders and stakeholders in attendance commended the program’s transformative impact on community livelihoods across Butambala

Brigadier General Godfrey Muwanguzi, the Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), held a productive meeting with a delegation from the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE), led by its president, Dr. Dick Nuwamanya Kamuganga. The two parties came together to strategize for the upcoming National Agriculture Show, which is scheduled to take place from June 27 to July 5, as well as the National Agriculture Educational Show, set for July 6 to July 12. Both events will be held in Jinja, a hub for agricultural innovation in Uganda.

The primary objective of this meeting was to develop a comprehensive strategy that ensures the effective execution and promotion of both trade shows by the organizations. Key discussion topics included enhancing exhibitor engagement, improving logistical coordination, and maximizing outreach efforts to attract more attendees and stakeholders from across the agricultural sector. This collaboration aims to create a dynamic platform that showcases Uganda's agricultural technological advancements and fosters networking opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses, and agricultural educators through wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and GROW, among others.

The Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) is the largest non-governmental farmers' organization in Uganda. It was founded by farmers from all over Uganda in 1992 to mobilize the farming community and voices under one independent umbrella organization.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged government support to Mr. David Irumba, a successful agribusiness entrepreneur based in Bulera East Cell, Kyentale Ward, Hoima East Division, Hoima City.

During a visit to Mr. Irumba’s farm today, the President commended his dedication to wealth creation, attributing his success to the government’s message of economic empowerment. Mr. Irumba, who began his journey in 2018 with three acres of coffee, has since expanded into poultry and goat farming, employing 50 workers and making significant financial strides.

With a poultry stock of 50,000 birds producing 500 trays of eggs daily—earning him UGX 150 million per month—he is projected to hit UGX 1 billion in annual revenue within five months. His coffee enterprise also generates an average of UGX 1.6 million per month.

Mr. Irumba expressed gratitude to the President for granting his request for a visit, acknowledging the role of Uganda Development Bank (UBD) in financing his startup through a loan. He credited government initiatives for his growth, citing access to electricity and improved road infrastructure as key enablers of his business.

Mr. Irumba who is the proprietor of Keywood Group limited also challenged Ugandans to stop overlooking opportunities created by the government, especially the socioeconomic funds like PDM.

Mr. Irumba also requested additional support, including an egg-breaking machine, a complete feed mixer, and a delivery truck for egg distribution.

In response, President Museveni contributed a feed mixer worth Shs80m and an egg-breaking machine worth Shs120m as well as a truck to transport eggs to the market. He also assured him that the Ministry of Agriculture would address the farm’s water needs to facilitate poultry farming and zero-grazing for cattle.

The Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo praised President Museveni’s visionary leadership in transforming Uganda into a money-driven economy, while the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja commended the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, including improved road networks and the ongoing construction of Hoima International Airport.

Mr. Irumba now aims to turn his farm into a model demonstration farm to inspire and train other farmers in the region.

A delegation from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), led by Acting Deputy Chief Coordinator Brigadier General Godfrey Muwanguzi, visited the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) today for a familiarization tour.

Brig Gen Muwanguzi and his team toured the institute’s workshops, laboratory facilities, and ongoing projects.

He commended UIRI’s leadership and staff for their innovative contributions to industrial growth, describing the visit as “a significant milestone” in strengthening collaboration ahead of the upcoming inter-agency exhibition, where UIRI is set to play a key role.

The Executive Director of UIRI, Prof. Charles Kwesiga emphasized UIRI’s pivotal role in industrial development, particularly in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

He highlighted Bamboo Tena, a furniture production company, as one of the many businesses benefiting from UIRI’s incubation programs.

He detailed the institute’s contributions to technical and business mentorship, advanced machining expertise, and material testing services, particularly in the manufacturing and oil and gas sectors.

Prof. Kwesiga underscored UIRI’s commitment to local content development, capacity-building, and specialized training programs.

Established by an Act of Parliament in 2002, UIRI operates as a government parastatal organization focused on capacity building, technological innovation, and the commercialization of applied research.

The OWC delegation included Directors, Executive Assistants, Liaison Officers, and Regional Coordinators from Kampala.

Regional coordinators of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) from 18 gazetted sub-regions across the country have undergone specialized training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance data management, operational efficiency, and overall service delivery.

The training follows the recent acquisition of 350 tablets from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, aimed at modernizing OWC’s digital operations.

Conducted today at the OWC headquarters in Kamwokya, the training covered advanced applications, systems management, data analysis, and modern data collection techniques to improve decision-making and service delivery.

Brig Gen Godfrey Muwanguzi, the Acting Deputy Chief Coordinator of OWC, emphasized the significance of the training, urging coordinators to apply their newly acquired skills and adhere to guidelines set by the Director of ICT. He stressed that effective and efficient service delivery would contribute to the country’s socio-economic transformation.

Eng. John Wekesa Wambogo, OWC’s Director of ICT, underscored the importance of using the tablets exclusively for government-related work. He highlighted their role in supporting national objectives, particularly in implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other key assignments under OWC.

Dr. Edward Katende, OWC’s representative at the PDM Secretariat, reaffirmed the digitization of all PDM processes. He noted that the provision of tablets aligns with new policies aimed at streamlining reporting, verifying eligible PDM beneficiaries, and curbing fraudulent practices to ensure a transparent selection process.

The event was attended by Brig. Gen. James Kaija, Chief Staff Officer of Operations, alongside other departmental heads and officers.

His Excellency The President Of Uganda encourages the people of northern Uganda to embrace coffee production

The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua has pledged to work with UCDA to promote coffee growing in non-traditional coffee-growing regions such as the Lango sub-region in northern Uganda in a bid to support farmers switch from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

Hon. Obua made the remarks during a visit he made to the UCDA coffee laboratory earlier today.

“I want to thank the Managing Director (Dr. Iyamulemye) who came to my office to congratulate me upon my appointment but also to interest me in coffee. I come from a non-traditional coffee-growing area that is Lango which is comprised of 9 districts. I committed to the MD to hold the bull by the horns and start to promote coffee,” he said.

UCDA has a programme to promote coffee growing in Northern Uganda. The programme is part of the initiatives introduced by the Authority to increase coffee production to 20 million bags by 2025, as per the Coffee Roadmap. Once achieved, the country will earn up to USD 2.2 billion per year through exports.

“I want to take the lead for Lango. I am ready to mobilise the farmers. I will talk to the farmers about coffee on the radio, in meetings, and in other spaces,” Hon. Obua said. “We need to transform the country and, one of the transformational agendas is growing coffee including introducing it in non-traditional areas.”

He added that the biggest promoter of coffee in the country is H.E President Yoweri Museveni.

“I want to tell you that the biggest promoter, the biggest marketer of coffee in the country is H.E the President, because on several occasions when he talks about the 4-acre model and the list of enterprises (for households to take on), coffee is priority number one,” Obua said.

Hon. Obua added that he intends to start growing coffee on a small scale after the inspiration and motivation for the President.

The President has called on Ugandans who want to move from subsistence to commercial agriculture to apportion some of their land to coffee. Under the 4-acre model, the President has recommended farmers dedicate one acre to coffee.

In 2018, the President launched a 4-acre demo farm at Barlegi in Otuke district where farmers could go and learn about coffee growing. One acre is dedicated to coffee.

“Why should we have coffee only at the President’s demo farm in Otuke and even people around Otuke are not growing coffee?” Obua wondered. He added that efforts to popularize coffee must be enhanced.

More farmers are embracing coffee growing as evidenced by the growth in export volumes. Coffee exports for 12 months (August 2021- July 2022) totaled 6.14 million bags worth US$ 875.95 million. This is the highest amount Uganda has ever earned from coffee in a single year.

According to Dr. Iyamulemye, between 17% to19% of Uganda’s foreign exchange comes from coffee. The Authority has built a robust laboratory to ensure Uganda continues to export high-quality coffee to buyers globally.

Uganda coffee is very popular in the USA, Europe, Japan, and the Middle East and there is a growing demand among African countries.

“Our coffee is number three in the world and given its quality, it is highly sought after. We follow stringent protocols here in the lab to ensure we export coffee that meets the standards of the buyers,” Dr. Iyamulemye said.

Ms. Doreen Rweihangwe, the Director Quality and Regulatory Services at UCDA told Hon. Obua that UCDA has 25 inspectors who do physical grading, roasting, and sensory analysis of coffee samples before shipment to the final destination.

“Uganda is where Robusta coffee originates and the protocols for evaluating Robusta coffee were developed in this laboratory. The UCDA coffee lab is internationally recognized and held in high regard,” Ms. Rweihangwe said.

She added that UCDA registers coffee sales and carries out pre-shipment inspections for all coffee leaving the country.

“We run stringent tests in the laboratory. This is why UCDA has been able to avoid product recalls and rejects that have affected other sectors. This is because of our stringent adherence to standards.” Rweihangwe added.

The USA is a popular destination for Uganda’s Arabica coffee while Europe is the biggest importer of Uganda’s Robusta coffee.

Hon. Obua noted that two weeks ago, while out of the country with team Uganda at the World Athletic Championships in Oregon, the discussions were not complete without talk about Uganda coffee, implying that it is an excellent product that has captured the attention of the world.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady, also the Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni were on Tuesday 28th January 2025 hosted at the home of Mrs. Vicky Apio in Alingiri village, Amach town council, Lira District.

Mrs. Apio is one the beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative.

President Museveni who is on a Zonal tour to assess the progress of the PDM program and popularize wealth creation drive in Lango Sub-region, noted that the PDM program was making a progressive impact on many parts of the country including Lira District.

He particularly praised Mrs. Apio for her resilience and utilising the PDM money well to expand her farming project.

“I want to thank Vicky Apio for waking up from sleep. Apio is moving very well, she started by growing maize, rearing sheep and bought a plot then continues to grow maize. So you, the production officers of the district, need to come in and consolidate these people. You heard what Apio was telling you that one challenge she is faced with is that of water. How do you solve the problem of water?” he inquired.

President Museveni also offered financial support to Mrs. Apio to expand her projects. He also contributed a tricycle for transportation as well as pledged to provide her with a borehole to deal with the challenge of water.

The President further recognized 10 successful farmers, who are PDM beneficiaries from Erute South Constituency for their hard work and gave them Shs1 million each.

Maama Janet was equally delighted to note that the PDM program is bearing fruits in Uganda including the Lango sub-region where it is now progressing into a robust family unifying factor.

“I am honored to be in this village and to see what is happening in the new PDM families. In all the places we stopped today, what I admire most is what the PDM is planting in villages, the culture of a man and his wife working together. While women in the past were really being overlooked and were just walked over and not given any respect. Now it is good to see women holding hands with their husbands and working together in the family,” she said.

The First Lady also noted that this culture will ultimately lift up the children in their families, village communities and will subsequently consolidate the unity of the nation.

Maama Janet, however, reminded women not to leave out men in the financial projects but to work together as a team.

On her part, the 37-year-old mother of 6 expressed her profound gratitude to President Museveni for the PDM program that she affirmed has pulled her out of poverty.

Mrs. Apio, flanked by her husband Ojok Peter Nelson together with their 6 children and 2 foster ones, recounted her journey that saw her move from abject poverty to improved livelihood.

“Before receiving PDM funds, life was extremely difficult. I was struggling with the basic needs in the family. Children dropped out of school due to lack of school fees. Life later turned round for the better when I heard President Museveni talking on Radio about PDM funds and I also got the money from our Banya-Amach Town Council SACCO. I planted 3 acres of maize, harvested 45 bags, and sold 40. I earned Shs 2.8 million. I used Shs1 million to buy 10 sheep, saved Shs1 million for the next planting season and shs. 800,000 I used it to pay school fees,” she narrated.

“In 2024 I again planted maize, harvested 50 bags, and earned Shs4 million. I used Shs2.7 million to buy a plot of land at Amach Town Council and I have saved Shs1 million for planting more maize this season,” she said.

Mrs. Apio affirmed that the PDM program has not only changed her life and that of her family members for the better but has also broadened her thinking. She is planning to start coffee and dairy farming as well as to add value to her maize.

She also implored Ugandans not to take the wealth creation gospel of President Museveni for granted but to embrace it wholeheartedly.

“I appreciate President Museveni for empowering women, and I thank him for the PDM program,” she said.

The event was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, among other leaders.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appreciated the work done by the presidential skilling Industrial hubs spread across the country for their role in combating unemployment by equipping youth with practical skills for self-employment and job creation.

The President, who is in the Lango subregion on a regional tour to assess the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation programs, today commissioned the Lango Presidential Skilling Hub in Ayere Cell, Barapwo Ward, Lira West Division, Lira District, and pledged to expand the skilling courses offered in the skilling hubs across the country.

“I’m glad that you, the parents, have responded very well to the initiative of training these young people for free. We are going to expand the skills here to include motor mechanics, plumbing and electric installation so that they (the children) have a bigger base of skills,” H.E. Museveni said.

Currently, the 19 Presidential Industrial Hubs across various regions under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Youth are focusing on practical fields such as building and construction, carpentry, welding, hairdressing, baking, tailoring & fashion design, leatherwork, and agriculture with an aim to equip over 12,000 youths annually.

President Museveni was happy to learn that the new curriculum introduced by the Ministry of Education has an element of practical studies that were taught to them even during colonial times.

“So please, if you appreciate what is happening here, go and spread it out in the primary schools and secondary schools,” he added.

However, President Museveni continued to express concern over schools that continue to undermine the objectives of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs, which were established to provide free education to all Ugandan children. He says the imposition of unnecessary charges in government schools is a contributor to high dropout rates among students.

“But I’m also not happy because we had started this effort in 1996 when we introduced UPE and later USE. We wanted the children of the poor to study free in government schools, but you did not implement it. You went on introducing charges in schools. As a consequence, many children went on dropping out of schools. That mistake of blocking children from education must be stopped,” H.E. Museveni stated.

“Now here I’m providing free education for these children and yet what I’m doing here is much more expensive than it would have been if you implemented UPE and USE.”

A primary school per parish and then a secondary school per sub county, according to President Museveni were meant to accommodate children who study from home to cut on the costs of feeding and accommodation where the government would concentrate on paying teachers, putting up the infrastructure and equipping them with text books and laboratory needs.

The President also promised to support children who have been skilled through their SACCOs established per district such that they can borrow and create wealth after acquiring skills.

He gave Shs 30 million to the three skilled finalists who shared their testimonies and promised another Shs30 million to the SACCO of the regional chairpersons.

The Vice President of Uganda, H.E Jessica Alupo welcomed President Museveni and the First Lady also Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni to Lango and re-affirm the NRM’s vision of securing the future of all Ugandans through wealth creation and shared prosperity, while emphasising the priority areas which include; creating wealth and jobs, delivering quality education, provision of health and safe water of Ugandans, ensuring Justice and equity, protecting life and property for all Ugandans and achieving economic and political integration.

“Your Excellency, there’s no doubt that the NRM under your leadership is honoring the promises of the people of Uganda,” she said, adding that significant progress has been made in ensuring that all Ugandans join the money economy through various inclusive government programs such as, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Program, the GROW project for women entrepreneurs, and now the Parish Development Model.

The Zonal chairperson of the Lango regional Presidential Skilling hub, Mr. George Abudul, informed the President that the hub is shared equally among the 11 administrative units of Lango sub region.

A total of 243 youths, 30 of whom come from the ghetto areas, are recruited every 6 months with each district sending 21 children for training and to date a total of 910 youths, 453 of whom are female, have been trained.

“Since the majority of the jobs are in the private sector and since our economy is private sector led, I would like to thank you for the vision of establishing the presidential skills hubs in all the zones of this country. Not only to close the skills gaps but also to enable our young people to acquire skills and competencies for the world of work. This is in line with your vision of jobs and wealth creation,” he said.

He requested President Museveni to increase the number of trainees per intake from 240 to at least 500, given the ever-increasing need and demand for skilling.

The ceremony was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Vice Chancellor of Lira University, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng, RDCs from the region, the LC5 Chairpersons, district NRM chairpersons, CAOs, District security officers, the youth leadership, among others.

Excellences, the Heads of state and heads of delegations to this comprehensive Africa agriculture development program CAADP Summit,Ladies and gentlemen. Greetings and you are most welcome to Uganda.

Right from the 1960s, when our political Movement started, initially, as a Student Movement, we were able to see that a Country like Uganda, located around the Equator, could be very advanced and prosperous on the basis of four sectors of the Economy. These four, we identified as: Commercial Agriculture; manufacturing; services; and ICT. In the pre-colonial and colonial times, our economy was, mainly, pre-capitalist and based on subsistence agriculture (okukolera ekidda kyoonka-working only for home consumption); some artisan craft skills such as obuhesi (blacksmithing), kubaija (woodwork), Kunogoora (ceramics-clay work) and some primordial services such as kuragura (healing). By the end of the colonial times, only 9% of the homesteads were in the narrow colonial cash economy described as “enclave economy”, meaning a small island of modernity, surrounded by a sea of under development. That “enclave economy” of the colonial economy of Uganda, was described as the economy of the 3Cs and 3Ts. The 3Cs, being: coffee, cotton and copper and the 3Ts being: tobacco, tea and tourism. The agricultural and mineral products being, mainly, exported as raw-materials - without making final products out of them except for some small effort of the Nytil textile factory of only 23 million metres, started by the progressive British Governor, Andrew Cohen, who arrived in Uganda in 1952.Our line, therefore, ever since the 1960s, has been as follows:(a) Fully commercialize agriculture to achieve food security and homesteads income security by undertaking agricultural enterprises guided by ekibaro (to calculate the maximum possible returns) given the size of the family land.(b) In commercializing agriculture, use the strategy of intensive agriculture for families of 4 acres or less and extensive agriculture for families of bigger lands. With intensive agriculture, you select high value enterprises which, though you do them on a small scale, you get good family income. With extensive agriculture, you can adopt low value crops which when you do on a big scale, you get good income for the family.(c) The Country needs both the products of intensive agriculture and extensive agriculture because, many times, one needs the other.(d) In our 1996 election manifesto, we identified seven enterprises for intensive agriculture: Coffee, fruits, dairy products, food crops for the family in the four acres and, then, poultry for eggs and piggery in the back yard (ekanyima, emanju) plus fish farming for those near the wetlands-on the periphery of the wetlands, not in the center. In our calculation, crops like cotton, tea, maize, sugar-cane and enterprises like ranching could only make money for the family, when they are done on a medium or large scale.(e) Recently, our People have been adding crops like palm oil, cocoa and cashew nuts on the list of the high value crops that can give good incomes to the families even if you do them on one acre.

(f) To do some of the intensive agriculture enterprises, you need inputs from the extensive agriculture products. To produce poultry feeds, animal feeds for pigs, fish meals, you need maize, sugar by-products. If you are to import all these, it may render your products uncompetitive.(g) After waking up our people as to the crucialness of Commercial agriculture and rationalizing it, we then realized the danger and the unfairness of confining ourselves to just producing raw-materials for other Countries far away to transform into finished products. A Kg of coffee may give us USD 2.5 as a raw-material. However, the same Kg, roasted, ground into powder and packaged, will give the cleverer foreigners who add those steps abroad, USD 40. This is how Africa has been a major donor to the parts of the World that are managed by cleverer People. We do not only lose money per Kg of coffee, we also lose jobs. The roasting jobs, the grinding jobs and the packaging jobs, are done by the children of the foreigners, while Africa’s children are drowning in the Mediterranean sea going to prosperous Europe and running away from impoverished Africa. The battle for value addition, has been a big one because there are lobbies that want to keep Africa as a raw-materials producing Continent. In Uganda, we have moved in some areas – a bit in textiles, a lot in dairy products, a lot on fish, a lot on sugar, a bit on maize, a bit on leather, a bit on furniture and wood-products. What is true of agricultural raw-materials is, of course, also true of the raw-materials of minerals, forest products.

(h) The value addition to agricultural products, ensures vertical integration in the agricultural sector – from the garden to the table and from the farm to the wardrobe (for clothes, shoes). However, it also ensures horizontal integration with the other sectors – manufacturing, services. How can you say that you are promoting tourism, when all the food the tourists eat, is being imported?In Uganda, the hotels serve Ugandan liquid milk, yoghurt, butter, sugar, fruits, beef. On account of reasons I cannot understand, some Ugandans insist on eating, wheat bread and rice. At 80 years of age, I am very comfortable with my meals of cassava (muhogo), millet (oburo), meat (a few times in a week), milk for my coffee, bananas (eminwa-fingers of bananas), ebinyeebwa (G-nuts, sometimes), Obushaza (peas), ebihiimba (beans), ebijuma (fruits) all are Ugandan products. It is the bread eaters and rice-eaters, that cause us to import some food. I do not eat chicken, pigs, eggs, because I am from the savannah; but they are abundantly available. Therefore, in Uganda, the hospitality industry is firmly integrated with our agriculture, except for rice and wheat.(I) In order to launch our agriculture on the journey of social- economic transformation, away from the pre–capitalist, pre -socialist traditional mode to modern Commercial agriculture, we have done the following:(i) Politically mobilize, through sensitization, the People to move away from the pre-money kukolera ekidda kyoonka (working only for the stomach) to commercial agriculture with ekibaro (calculation). 67% of the homesteads in Uganda are now in the money economy for the first time in human history. At Independence, only 9% were in the money economy. By 2013, only 32% were in the money economy. That is why, I had to involve the Army to distribute seedlings. I was begging these villagers to get out of poverty.(ii) Through Scientific research, ensure good quality seeds. I salute our Scientists for developing a long list of improved seeds: higher yields, disease resistant, drought resistant.(iii) Sensitize farmers about the best agro-practices-spacing, mulching, water-conservation.(iv) Ensure disease control – immunization, spraying against pests.(v) Ensure food safety – against aflatoxins.(vi) To stabilize agriculture, have standby irrigation, using gravity or solar – powered water pumps. This will eliminate the risks of the erraticness of the rain.(vii) Use fertilizers to restore the nutrients in the soil.(viii) Conduct soil mapping to determine what can grow where.(ix) Discourage land fragmentation on inheritance because it creates Land with Disability (LWD) - land that can no longer do certain enterprises because of the smallness.

With these measures, Africa will be a super – power economically. Since ancient times, this part of Africa had strong agriculture. We always have two harvests in a year – the harvest of Katuumba – the season of March to end May and Omwaaka (the big harvest of August to December). The harvest of May is called obwijegashe (the small harvest) and the one of August to December is called Omwaka (the big yearly harvest). All this was with the traditional technology and just the rain – fed agriculture. In some areas, however, there was some irrigation in Ancient Egypt, the Kilimanjaro area. When HM Stanley walked through this area (Congo – Uganda – Tanzania, between 1887-1889), he wrote as follows on pages 298 and pages 371-372 respectively, of his book entitled: In Darkest Africa, Volume II,

‘‘A march of an hour and a half in the afternoon, apparently not far from the river, brought us to the populous district of the Babusesse. The banana plantations were very extensive, reminding me of Uganda and their shades covered a multitude of huts (1887 December 5th – Babusesse). Fields of millet and sesame, plots of sweet potatoes, occupied the outskirts of these plantations, and there was ample evidence roundabout that the land was thickly populated and industriously cultivated.’’

Later on, while travelling through the Rwizi area of Ankole:

‘‘Crossing a narrow neck of land, descended into the basin of the Rwizi. By degrees the misty atmosphere of this region was clearing and we could now see about five miles distance, and the contour of the pastoral plateau of Ankori. It was not by any means at its best. It was well into the droughty season. The dry season had commenced two months previously. Hilly range, steep cone, hammock and plain were clothed with grass ripe for fire. The herds were numerous, and all as fat as prize cattle. In the valley, we had passed over 4,000 cattle of the long-horned species. The basin of the Rwizi, which we were now in, and which was the heart of Ankori, possessed scores of the finest herds of cattle I had never seen before.”

He was clearly amazed by the scale of the production. This Africa of having no food and begging, is not the real Africa, but the colonial and neo-colonial Africa. It is a shame.

I need to conclude my remarks by talking about the issue of water for livelihood and for production as well as the need for removing the Non-tariff barriers in the CFTA (Continental Free Trade Area). Uganda is lucky in that we have a lot of water. Our major problem is to persuade our uninformed or misinformed People, by guiding them to stop undermining our water resources by encroaching on the wetlands, the forests, the catchment areas, the River banks and the Lake shores. Some other parts of Africa, however, are not so lucky. Northern Africa, has got a water problem. Even Southern Africa, gets periodic shortages of water. Here, in the Nile Valley, we are always arguing about the 85 billion Cubic meters of that river at Khartoum. In the past, I posed these questions to Dr. Boutros Ghali of Egypt: “Are you aware that the Congo River has 3000 billion cubic meters of water per annum going into the Atlantic Ocean? Is the Atlantic Ocean thirsty for water? Why doesn’t Africa discuss with our brother People of Congo about how this massive water that is not used, could help the water–stressed parts of Africa? Is Africa aware of the technology of de-salination? De-salination happens in nature, done by the sun evaporating ocean water into vapour that, eventually becomes rain. Why doesn’t Africa intensively study this? If the cost of de-salination goes down, Egypt and the other coastal Countries will become up- stream Countries while we that harbour the origin of the Nile will become down - stream Countries.

On the issue of Non - tariff barriers (NTBs), there is no doubt that they undermine the advance of agriculture in Africa. Uganda easily produces all types of agricultural products: maize, sugar, milk, beef, poultry products. The internal market is not enough. However, production is disrupted when in some years, some of the brother Countries say they have bumper crops and delicense Ugandan products. Why do you delicense product from a brother Country? If you have a bumper crop, let the products compete. After the Ugandan product has been delicensed, then you hear that the delicensing Country has now a shortage of this or that. Can they now import it from Uganda? By that time the Ugandan farmers have been rendered bankrupt and have migrated to new products such as coffee that are mainly bought by foreigners away from Africa. How will African agriculture sustainably advance, with this erraticness?

I thank everybody

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

Operation Wealth Creation Chief Coordinator, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence & Security, has cordially welcomed a team from SkyBridge Tactical, a private held, service-disabled veteran-owned multi-dollar business founded in 2008 organically filling a need for relevant training expertise, providing culturally attuned, former military professionals to produce certified private security personnel.

The company based in Tampa, Florida, USA, led by, Chief Executive Officer, Steve Rumbley, is interested in leveraging its knowledge and expertise, in a bid to assist Ugandans in up-skilling, especially in the private security sector.

In an effort to materialize His Excellency President Museveni’s vision, the group will combine wealth creation, skilling and job placement, to produce and export certified private security personnel. The skilled Ugandans will return with a vision and capital to chat wealth back home.

Gen. Salim Saleh welcomed the initiative, assuring the effectiveness of cooperation and creativity in advancing national economic progress. He added that it’s an opportunity to demonstrate tremendous prospects, that are accessible to the youth & veterans, among others; pledging his cooperation with the investors, and local authorities to fully exploit the potential of the initiative.

CEO of SkyBridge Tactical, Steve Rumbley, stressed they intend to leverage knowledge, skills and expertise; training first & deploying later. He described this, as a wind of opportunity and a game changer, which will produce certified private security personnel & job placement to over 5000 Ugandans.

In the same breath, the OWC Chief Coordinator thanked the Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, the State Minister for Gender, Hon. Esther Anyakun, and Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, for luring development partners, creating new opportunities and enhancing livelihoods.

Shadina Blunt, a renowned actress & real state developer expressed her eagerness to contribute to Uganda’s tourism growth, by establishing eco-friendly amusement parks, and resorts, and championing creative arts.

Alternatively, Ms. Lisa Stark Hughes, an American Entrepreneur, said she’s looking forward to contributing to H.E. President Museveni’s socio-economic transformation, by setting up a skill centre, in a bid to assist Ugandan youth.

The meeting was also attended by; Commissioner Labour and Employment Services, Lawrence Egulu, Head Labour Externalisation at Gender, Labour and Social Development Ministry, Hillary Tayebwa, Wealth Creation team; Major General Philip Idro (Principal Advisor to Gen. Saleh), Hon. David Pulkol (Principal Advisor to General Saleh), Col. Nkojo Military Assistant to Gen. Saleh), & Maj. John Mwesigye (Legal Officer).

Lt Gen Sam Kavuma has assumed office as the Force Commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), following his appointment by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), in March 2024. He succeeds Lt Gen Sam Okiding, who has been appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF.

Upon his arrival in Mogadishu on Sunday, 28 July 2024, Lt Gen Kavuma was accorded a guard of honour by UPDF troops at the ATMIS headquarters. He subsequently received a briefing from key staff officers, led by Maj Gen Peter Muteti, Deputy Force Commander in Charge of Support and Logistics.

Lt Gen Kavuma’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, as ATMIS prepares for a phased drawdown and transition into a new mission to stabilise Somalia. He stated, ” I am here to join the team as we implement the transition into a new mission come December 2024. As the team captain, I will head the military components in ATMIS.”

Lt Gen Kavuma expressed his gratitude for the efforts of all Troop-Contributing Countries to the mission since its inception in 2007, which has resulted in the liberation of numerous towns in Somalia. He acknowledged the significant achievements made by various actors, including the Federal Government of Somalia, and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration to degrade Al-Shabaab, achieve peace, and enable Somalis to engage in productive development.

Lt Gen Sam Kavuma previously served as Sector One Commander from 2014-2015, overseeing the liberation of several towns in the Lower Shabelle region. He later held positions as Deputy Commander of the UPDF Air Force and Deputy Chief Coordinator – Operation Wealth Creation in Uganda.

Present at the occasion were Maj Gen Kindu Gezu, ATMIS Military Chief of Staff; ATMIS Sector One Commander, Brig Gen Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, and senior and staff officers.

The President of the Republic of Gabon, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema and the First Lady of Gabon Madam, Zita Oligui Nguema were in Uganda for a two day official State visit (1st and 2nd Aug 2024).

1st Aug 2024, they arrived in Uganda and held joint discussions with President Museven on issues of bilateral trade for mutual benefit of the two sister countries.

2nd Aug 2024, they visited NEC in Nakasongola and proceeded to Gulu to meet the Operation Wealth Creation Chief Coordinator, Gen Caleb Akandwanaho aka Gen Salim Saleh.

Gulu discussions rotated around studying to understand and benchmark Uganda's Operation Wealth Creation model for possible adaption in Gabon.

We thank and salute His Execllency the President, Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museven for his continued promotion of Uganda and Pan-Africanism.

We would like to also most sincerely thank the OWC Chief Coordinator, Gen Caleb Akandwanaho for his effective coordination of OWC in promoting household wealth creation and food security to the extend that OWC is today an admiration of many in Uganda and beyond...Asante Sana Afande.

Under the State House program dubbed: “Strategic campaign on alternative sources of income generating activities to the fishing communities in Uganda”, the high-quality heifers were delivered on Friday by officials from state House led by the President’s Assistant Private Secretary on Value addition, Ms. Sylvia Nakiwolo.

During the meeting held at Ssi-Bukunja sub-county council offices in Buikwe district, Ms. Nakiwolo who is also the program coordinator informed beneficiaries that through the initiative, President Museveni is seeking to help people in the fishing communities fight poverty by creating wealth through other sources of income.

“We have started this project with Buikwe as a pilot district from where it will be enrolled to other fishing communities around the country. They will be coming to benchmark from you so ensure it succeeds,” Ms. Nakiwolo said, adding that in other areas, they have trained and supported beneficiaries in the district with knowledge on poultry, piggery, commercial crop growing, and apiculture (bee-keeping), among others as alternative sources of income-generating activities.

Under the dairy farming project, each group of 30 people is given one pregnant female heifer for which a calf will be passed on to another person until all the members have received the same.

Some of the beneficiary groups all in Ssi-Bukunja sub county include among others; Agali Awamu development group, Ssi Trading Center Coffee group, Bavubuka Tukole group, Busalwa Farmers group, Lugala Disability Farmers group, Koba Lubumba Piggery group and Lwala Tomato Farmers group.

“President Museveni wants to see all Ugandans join the money economy irrespective of their political parties because he is a President of all Ugandans. So, this project should not be politicised,” Ms. Nakiwolo emphasised.

The LC.5 Chairman for Buikwe District, Jimmy Kanaabi who subscribes to the opposition Forum for Democratic change (FDC) party expressed gratitude about the work of State House in his district and urged beneficiaries to ensure the dairy project multiplies so as to benefit more people.

“I’m confident that the program will move on well in Buikwe just like the rest of other State House programs in the district that have progressed. We should love this project because it is aimed at uplifting us into the money economy, not looking at only fishing from the lake,” Chairman Kanaabi said, further emphasising that supervision remains key to ensure the success of the project.

“We also asked the State House to help us with quality boats, engines and fishing gears in order to fish within the law,” he added.

Mr. Kanaabi also revealed that the district has received drugs from the government to immunise and spray all animals like goats & cows for free and warned residents to avoid fake veterinary officers and acaricides.

The LC.3 Chairman, Ssi-Bukunja sub county, Mr. Kibuuka Godfrey described the program as a unique one that emphasises unity and togetherness among the people.

“Our country was built through working together but we have failed to work in groups. You find in a group of 30, only three people are responsible and seriously following up on what’s going on, others are not bothered. After registration, everything remains on paper,” Chairman Kibuuka noted, further urging the dairy project beneficiaries to look after their heifers because it is the beginning of their prosperity in future.

Mr. Kibuuka also called upon the people of Ssi-Bukunja sub-county especially those in groups to apply for Parish Development Model Funds and boost their incomes.

“Everybody should at least have an acre of coffee or cocoa,” he said.

According to Mr. Dan Kiyaga, the Chairperson of Bukunja Foundation (BUFO), most of the fishermen who have faced the repercussions of illegal fishing have moved out of the lake and haven’t settled financially. He said the dairy projects in addition to other State House projects in Buikwe district are providing alternative sources of income.

One of the beneficiaries Ms. Rehema Nalweyiso of Agali Awamu Development Group from Namukuma Village thanked President Museveni for the heifers to improve their livelihoods.

Earlier, Mr Moses Migadde, a Veterinary Officer of Ngogwe sub-county, taught the beneficiaries about the best practices of dairy farming that include feeding and treatment. Mr. Migadde further asked residents to gazette an area for communal spraying of their animals known as a crush pen.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Mwanje Gerald who is the Buikwe District Veterinary Officer.

The program seen as a holistic approach to a better life of the people especially in the fishing communities is implemented by State House in partnership with Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, The National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS), Microfinance Support Centre, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Bukunja Foundation.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday 31st July 2024 met the leaders of the ghetto SACCOs in Kampala Metropolitan Area at State House Entebbe.

The group included 100 ghetto youth leaders who are also the heads of the 12 ghetto SACCOs in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono. The beneficiaries of the SACCOs are from; Rubaga Kakeeka Zone dwellers, Kasangati Ghetto Community, Kampala Central Division, Nakawa Division, Makindye East, Kawempe South, Makindye west, Kawempe North, Mukono industrial, Kasokoso, Nansana division and Masajja Para Zone ghetto in Makindye.

During the meeting, the President underscored the role of the ghetto people in the liberation of Uganda.

“What you call ghetto people, in the 1950s used to be called “Abawejere” and they were centred around Katwe. When Uganda was fighting for Independence, much of the activities were around Katwe and I think the first offices of the Uganda National Congress were located in Katwe and that is where I think Dr. I.K Musazi and Dr. Barnabas Kunuka and others operated from. Even Augustino Kamya who organised the boycott of Indian goods in 1958 was from Katwe,” the President said.

“I linked up with the ghetto in 1968. I was there, Katwe is my place.  I was not a ghetto boy myself; my background is in the villages with farmers. That is where I came from to go to university, but we (Student movement) wanted to link up with the “Bawejere”. The Head of the abawejere that time was Abbas Kibazo whom they used to call “Ssabawejere” so I linked up with them. So, this story of saying this is my first time to link up with the ghetto is not true,” he added.

President Museveni explained that when former President Idi Amin announced his coup on the 25th of January, 1971, the former students together with the help of the Abawejere decided to fight him because they believed in solving the problems of the people.

“We had and still have a program of the prosperity of the people and Idi Amin could not understand that. Of course, we had problems with Obote, but we were at least able to talk to him. That is why we had not taken the route for fighting. On the 27th of January 1971, I left to fight Amin, so he ruled me for only 2 days. I left with two people from Kampala; Abbas Kibazo and Zubair Bakari and when we went to Mbarara, the people there added some other two chiefs. The five of us entered Tanzania where we met Mwalimu Nyerere and that’s how the fight against Idi Amin started. All the time when we were fighting Idi Amin, I used to come to Kampala and my contacts were mainly these bawejere,” he said.

“In 1971, we also recruited Ahmed Seguya who was from Katwe. He was among the 14 fighters I sent to Mozambique for training. When we went for the second battle in 1981 to fight Obote, Ahmed Seguya was our first army Commander but he died due to liver problems. Amin used to emphasise politics of identity based on religion saying he was fighting for Islam yet there was nothing he was doing for Muslims and other people also. During that time when I used to come to Kampala, I used to stay with my bawejere contacts who were mainly Muslims.”

The President further assured the ghetto youths that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government is pro- people that emphasises politics of interest and works for all Ugandans.

President Museveni also rallied the ghetto youths to hold their leaders accountable and demand what is meant for them.

According to the President, the problem of the ghetto people started when the educated people (elite) failed to deal with the uneducated although also the uneducated have had their weaknesses like the failure to hold their elected leaders accountable.

He said on top of the government workers like the chiefs who existed during the time of the British (colonialism), when the NRM government came to power, they decided to add on leaders elected by the people from Local Council 1 up to LC.5 (district level) including a woman member of parliament for each district to fill the gap in case the government chiefs failed to perform their roles.

“When we were preparing, I said, you people, to defend the people, we must add another structure, these ones should be elected by the people themselves so that the people’s delegates are there to monitor and hold the government accountable. That is why we created the LCs and MPs to be elected by you people. As people who have power in your hands, why do you go on to elect useless people?” he wondered.

“But also, the wananchi, including the ghetto people, don’t use the weapon which we gave you to deal with the people who don’t work for you. The gun we gave you is that of electing the people who speaks for you if they don’t speak for you, bring them back. We removed the monopoly of power from the administrators and gave you the power to vote your own leaders who speak for you. They even join corruption, and you don’t follow them up. Why don’t you bother to find out? If we bring programs and you don’t follow them, whom do you blame?” he inquired.

On the other hand, President Museveni tasked the ghetto youths to advocate for the interests of the masses like free education for all and prosperity for all as well as embracing government poverty alleviation like the Paris Development Model (PDM) to uplift their livelihoods.

“It’s good now that we have the group of Ddamulira which has linked up with you again, then we will be able to guide you on how to defend the interests of the masses. This is your country and home, you should defend it, you shouldn’t get involved in criminality like illegal protests,” he said.

“In 1997, we launched UPE; education for all in government schools but the people you elect have paralyzed that effort on the ground by always putting charges and other excuses, but you don’t even talk about it. Now get moving, we are already sending all this money; the PDM, Emyooga and now we are adding on something else, and this is just the beginning.”

Furthermore, the President cautioned the ghetto youths against being used by politicians with selfish motives who always land them into criminality.

President Museveni also fulfilled his Shs1.2 billion pledge to the 12 ghetto SACCOs (Shs100 million each) in Kampala Metropolitan Area which he had promised to give them during a meeting at Kololo Independence Grounds last year.

“From the Shs100 million you can do something for yourselves. In the villages, we’re encouraging people into commercial farming. It’s good that you have a base here in the town where you have small businesses, artisanship, services like salons and others. Those are areas you should participate in within your groups (constituencies),” the President told the youths.

The Minister of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda thanked President Museveni for the support towards the ghetto people, a manifest that they are part and parcel of Uganda and contribute toward the development of Uganda.

“These people have been trained on how to manage their SACCOs and we are very sure that most of them are now transformed. Those who are yet to transform, will also be transformed,” Hajjat Kabanda said.

The Director of Crime Intelligence and project coordinator, Brig Gen. Christopher Ddamulira said the ghetto project started under the guidance of President Museveni in March 2022 and he has been working on it with his team under the leadership of the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda and the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye.

“Previously, these ghetto youth did not have leadership but one thing which we did was to create leadership from the youth themselves, so we conducted elections through which we got leaders at zone, parish and division level.”

He added that the structure was launched by the Minister of Internal Affairs in August 2022 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium and upon the launch, they started on the process of organising the youths into SACCOs because they noticed that previously a number of people would lobby from the government for the ghetto youths, get resources, which never reach the intended recipients.

“What we did was to form the SACCOs and started training the leaders of those SACCOs on how to manage them and then we carried out the mobilisation to ensure that the members themselves begin to save under those SACCOs. Your Excellency, after you launched them,  we went into a super drive and as I speak now,  we are talking about 3,280 savers in the 12 SACCOs and before you make available resources that you are going to provide today, the youths on their own had reached Shs13.7m from their own savings. We thank you for fulfilling the pledge that you made to them in Kololo last year,” Brig. Gen. Ddamulira said.

Brig. Gen. Ddamulira further noted that the intervention has started yielding fruits by tremendously reducing criminality in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono.

“Even if you look at the Police report that we issue every year, the last report clearly indicated that the crime level has gone down but also in political violence, these are the people that the politicians have always used to cause confusion in Kampala because they felt they didn’t have a stake in what’s happening in the country. All those crimes have reduced Your Excellency, even recently during the planned march to Parliament, we didn’t register a singer ghetto youth getting involved in those things,” he asserted.

“Your Excellency, we believe that this project is working very well, and your support will go a long way by making the resources they have been lacking available and we embark on so many projects that we couldn’t implement because of the limitation of funding.”

Mr. Kalyango Shafik, the leader of the ghetto youths, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for empowering the ghetto people through financial and moral support.

He also thanked President Museveni for fulfilling his promise of Shs1.2 billion contribution to their ghetto SACCOs.

“Your Excellency, we have evidence that the money reached our bank accounts,” he said.

“We also thank Gen. Ddamulira, Maj. Emma Kutesa, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda and their team for the support and care towards the ghetto people.”

Mr. Kalyango also assured the President that they are now reformed citizens looking forward to working with the government for the socio-economic transformation of the country.

Ms. Nakalema Jackie who is the Vice Chairperson of ghetto youths in Kampala metropolitan Area asked President Museveni to consider them in the PDM program as a special group, saying they have been denied the chance because of their way of living with a perception that they don’t have the capacity to refund the money. The President promised to instruct the secretariat of Emyooga and PDM to consider the ghetto structure.

The meeting was also attended by the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, Maj. Emma Kutesa, the Private Secretary to H.E the President for youth, in agriculture, value addition and export promotion, Dr.Hillary Musoke Kisanja and Nansana Deputy RDC, Mr. Shafiq Ali Nsubuga.