President Museveni has re-emphasized the importance of wealth creation, describing it as a fundamental instrument to job creation.
Addressing a public rally today in Kiboga West constituency as he concluded his wealth creation tour in Greater Mubende sub region, the president argued that focusing on generating wealth through private sector-led initiatives naturally leads to the creation of employment opportunities for other people.
“The government jobs (teachers, doctors, security, sub-county and parish chiefs, etc.) are only 480,000 compared to the population of 46 million Ugandans. Therefore, government jobs can’t help us. More jobs are in the private sector, especially in commercial agriculture and dairy production,” Museveni said, giving an example of the Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byamukama, whose commercial farm in Bugangaizi, Kagadi, employs over 26 people, with the least earning shs200,000 per month.
“That’s how jobs are created. We cannot have jobs without wealth creation,” the President emphasized, adding that it is wealth creation that leads to expanding the tax base, which then the government uses to work on the collective developmental programs of the whole country such as constructing roads and schools, extending electricity, and building health facilities.
He added that however much the government extends these developmental services, such as tarmac roads and electricity, it will not get Ugandans out of poverty if they don’t engage in income-generating activities at the household or individual level.
“In 1963, I was at Ntare School, and by that time, the government had worked on the road from Kampala to Mbarara up to Kabale, together with another road from Kampala to Fort Portal and that from Kampala to Malaba on the border with Kenya. But today, when you go there, you will find poor people residing alongside the 60-year-old tarmac road. So please, whether you are near or far from a tarmac road, start doing something to get out of poverty, and the government will help you,” President Museveni explained.
He gave an example of Ndangaalo parish in Rubirizi district, which had 2,500 households, but none engaged in any income-generating activity, save for one Mr. Kateeba, who had seven (7) pigs and was regarded as the richest person.
The president also emphasized the importance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a cornerstone of Uganda’s strategy for wealth creation and poverty alleviation, to transition approximately 39% of Ugandans from subsistence farming into the money economy.
“We started with Entandikwa, then NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, and now we are on PDM and Emyooga. All that is to help get you out of poverty in your family or household. The tarmac roads are for all of us, but you, as an individual, how do you use them to get out of poverty? I
want all of you to start. I don’t want to be rich alone, leading poor people,” Museveni noted
President Museveni also used the public rally to address the burning issue of land conflicts in Kiboga and the greater Mubende sub-region at large, which involves irregular acquisition of land and the displacement of legitimate occupants.
He explained that while regulating the relationship between the landlord and the tenant, it was made clear in the constitution that no landlord is allowed to evict a tenant who has been on the same land since 1983 or before, adding that landlords who refuse rent fees (Obusuulu) will, going forward, be required to collect it from the district.
“This issue, I hear that the landlords don’t accept rent fees (obusuulu); that’s up to them. The Ministry of Lands will organize where to put the rent; whether the landlord picks it up or not is up to them,” President Museveni warned.
The Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, earlier explained that her ministry will soon open up bank accounts per district where tenants can deposit rent fees that are rejected by landlords.
At the same ceremony, the Vice President, Jessica Alupo thanked President Museveni for creating time to monitor wealth creation programs in the country.
“We all know that the mantle of securing the future of Uganda is an uphill task that requires lifelong commitment, dedication, vast knowledge, and experience. It meets the leadership that has been tried and has been tested and found worthy to be entrusted with such responsibility, and Your Excellency, the people of Uganda find all these qualities in you at least from the messages we have received from the 13 subregions across Uganda,” Vice President Alupo said.
The NRM Deputy Secretary Rose Namayanja informed the President that Greater Mubende has transformed tremendously following its expansion from two districts to now five, and major accomplishments in education, health services, roads, and wealth creation programs have been realized.
“No government in Uganda has ever given back to its population like the NRM. That has never happened. People thought you only visited big factories, but we have seen you visiting small farmers who are starting small, and you’re empowering them further,” Namayanja said.