President Museveni has urged residents of Kayunga District to prioritise wealth creation at household level, saying that while government-led development is important, individual income generation is key to overcoming poverty.
“Development like roads, electricity and water is for all of us, but wealth is for you as an individual,” Museveni said.
“The focus should be on wealth creation because when you leave this rally and return home, you will find that the poverty you left is still there. Poverty is personal.”
The President made the remarks on Friday while addressing a campaign rally at Busaana Town Council playgrounds in Kayunga District.
Museveni reminded the gathering that his message on wealth creation predates his presidency, noting that he had consistently preached income generation, particularly in his home region of Ankole, even before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came to power.
“During the 1996 campaigns, we advised that those with small pieces of land should practise intensive farming,” he said. “That is how we introduced the four-acre model—coffee, fruits, pasture for dairy cows, food for home consumption, poultry for eggs, pigs, and fish farming in the swamps. If you do that, you will prosper.”
The President said the guidance he offers is based on personal experience, adding that he was concerned by the poor fishing methods being used by some communities along Lake Kyoga. He assured residents that government plans to support large-scale fish farming to ease pressure on the lake.
“We are going to ensure that people in this area engage in fish farming,” Museveni said. “On one acre with eight ponds, you can earn over Shs100 million from fish sales. Government will dig ponds, and people will work in groups, with each(group) managing a pond.”
Museveni further explained that funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM) are intended to help communities start income-generating activities.
“The biggest mobilisation is being useful to the people,” he said. “If you are useful to them, they will never abandon you. Government will handle education, health, jobs and other services, but wealth creation must be your own initiative.”
He urged district leaders to identify a vast piece of land where he can help them start an industrial park.
Museveni also noted that he was happy that works for the 87km Kayunga-Bbaale-Galiraaya road have already kicked off, noting that this debt is now paid.
Meanwhile, the First Lady, Janet Museveni, called on Ugandans to remain united and actively participate in shaping the country’s future, saying national development depends on collective effort.
“We must unite to build Uganda going forward,” she told the rally. “We must do this as a testament that we are willing to build Uganda together.”
She said current mobilisation efforts were only a foundation for greater commitment, noting that the upcoming elections scheduled for January 15 would be a critical moment.
“This is not enough. It is good, but it is preparation for what we want to do,” she said.
Mrs Museveni encouraged supporters to ensure that all eligible voters, especially the elderly, take part in the elections.
“Don’t forget your grandmother at home. Help her get to the polling station to vote,” she said, adding, “Tell your neighbour and everyone to go and vote NRM.”
She described voting as a key contribution to national development. “Our vote is a brick we put on the house of Uganda,” she said.
The First Lady also reflected on Uganda’s stability, attributing it to sacrifices made by past leaders.
“The peace we see in this country was brought about by the sweat and blood of NRM leaders who were willing to fight,” she said.
She urged supporters to back President Museveni and NRM leaders “as we build Uganda into a greater nation.”
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