President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday called for a renewed commitment to the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s six-point agenda, which was described as the cornerstone of Uganda’s transformation journey.
The agenda focuses on peace, wealth creation, development, job creation, access to markets and delivery of essential services.
The president made the remarks while addressing a gathering which included beneficiaries of the Emyooga program in Entebbe Municipality. This came shortly after a visit to a women’s hair salon owner and an Emyooga program beneficiary.
Earlier on Wednesday, a stopover was made in Nakasozi Village, Ziba Ward, Kasanje Town Council, on the way to visit a model farmer in Busiro South, as part of an ongoing wealth creation assessment tour.
This marked the third day of the president’s field tour, which began Monday, July 7. The tour aims to track the progress of government-backed initiatives like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), and their impact on transforming ordinary Ugandans into income earners.
“Today, we are focusing on Emyooga but I want to re-emphasize the NRM guidance. Our foundation has always been built on six important things: peace, wealth, development, jobs, markets, and services,” Museveni said.
Peace was stressed as the most fundamental pillar.
“Peace first, we cannot tolerate anyone that wants to disrupt our peace. There’s no war in Uganda and I assure you, no one can bring war here. The UPDF is strong. Anyone who dares will be defeated quickly.”
The president further noted that physical infrastructure alone is not enough if individual households remain poor.
“You can have tarmac roads and electricity, but if there’s no money in the home, what good is that? That’s why we say development without wealth is defective,” it was explained.
A personal story from the 1960s, where the focus was on acquiring land for commercial farming in Rwakitura to build wealth before infrastructure like tarmac roads and electricity arrived, was recounted. It was noted that the infrastructure eventually caught up with the wealth created through commercial agriculture.
“At the time when I went to Rwakitura, there was no tarmac road or electricity, what I was looking for was pasture for my cows because cows don’t eat tarmacked roads or electricity. You can see that there was no development but there was wealth and of course later on, electricity came and other things but they found when I was already wealthy so that is why you people who miss my wealth message are missing something,” he said.
Citing traditional wisdom from the Banyankole heritage, the concept of Okwombeka, which means to build, was elaborated upon.
“Okwombeka is not just about building a house. It’s about building a life, creating wealth, marrying, raising children, and then putting up a house. But when I came here, I found that many people, especially leaders only talk about roads and electricity,” Museveni said.
“Each home must work for wealth,” it was emphasized.
Emyooga and the Parish Development Model were applauded as critical tools to lift families out of poverty.
“That’s why we introduced Entandikwa, Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation, PDM, microfinance and others. All of them are designed to create wealth at the household level,” he said.
Citizens were encouraged to participate in these programs and be guided by informed and accountable leaders.
“I am in government, but I’m far from you. You need leaders who can speak for you in Parliament. Elect people who will demand what you need,” Museveni urged.
At an earlier engagement in Kitoro, Entebbe Municipality, a hair salon owner and Emyooga beneficiary shared her experience.
“We never thought we would benefit this much from Emyooga. Our group received Shs30 million, and I personally got Shs1 million after saving just Shs350,000. That changed everything for me,” she said.
The initiative and its impact were praised.
“This girl, Mwirumubi, created wealth out of nothing. Now she’s employing five people. When we talk about jobs, we cannot separate them from wealth creation,” it was stated.
Another beneficiary, chairperson of the hardware operators SACCO in Entebbe, also gave testimony.
“I borrowed Shs3 million and invested it in my hardware business worth Shs20 million. We also produce books as a group, but we need support with machines,” she said.
Testimonies like this were noted as demonstrating the true impact of government support.
“That’s why I have come here not just to speak, but to wake people up,” it was added.
It was stated that the NRM had expanded job opportunities through factories, skilling hubs and commercial agriculture.
“Factory jobs today employ 1 million people, the government employs 480,000, and the service sector employs 5 million. This is why I urge you to get involved,” Museveni said.
It was emphasized that Uganda now produces many goods it once imported, a shift that has created jobs and market for local products.
Citizens were also urged to be deliberate in choosing their representatives.
“The good thing is that you are here and the NRM is here. Don’t be like orphans without guidance. Choose leaders who care,” it was added.
Additionally, a pledge was made to improve road infrastructure in the area, recalling a historical connection to the route.
“I passed through this Mpigi–Kasanje–Nakawuka–Kisubi road in 1979 and again in 1986 during the liberation struggle. I know this road very well,” he said.
It was revealed that a Chinese contractor, CCCC, had been secured and that preparatory work had begun.
“Katumba has informed me that the contractor has already started preliminary works, and in four months, they will begin tarmacking the road. It will be completed in 18 months,” it was announced.
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