Politics
Museveni Urges Urban Youth to Embrace Wealth Creation, Vows Support for Kampala Garages
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a clarion call to all Ugandans, especially youth and skilled workers in urban centres, to fully engage in wealth creation by participating in the economy as owners, trainees, or workers, warning that poverty can only be defeated through personal effort and productivity.
The President made the remarks while visiting Bakitende Expert Garage in Wakaliga-Nateete, Rubaga Division, Kampala, as part of his five-day Presidential assessment tour on the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the capital city. The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, accompanied him.
“I want every Ugandan to be part of wealth creation, whether as a commercial farmer, artisan, industrialist, or service provider,” the President said, emphasising that “no one should remain idle or dependent.”
President Museveni stressed that transformation starts at the individual level and urged skilled workers such as mechanics, carpenters, welders, and tailors to organise themselves into productive groups, noting that the government is ready to support their efforts.
“You must either be an owner, a worker, or a trainee. That is how we move forward as a country. That’s how we end backwardness,” he asserted.
He explained that wealth is created through production and service, not dependency, and urged Kampala’s artisans and service providers to adopt a commercial mindset. “You are making things like shoes, sweaters, and metal doors. That is production, and production is wealth,” he said.
During the visit, President Museveni pledged government support for garages and service-based businesses in Kampala, promising essential equipment such as tyre inflators, welding machines, breakdown trucks, and loaders. “Some equipment, like breakdown trucks, can be shared at the parish or sub-county level, but others, like inflators, must be per garage,” he said. “We shall start here in Kampala and then scale to other cities. But this must be well organised.”
The President also announced that each sub-county would receive Shs20 million to support food suppliers and spare parts dealers. He, however, advised the beneficiaries to form cooperatives, saying individual handouts would have a limited impact. “You must unite. If this is given to individuals, it will have little impact,” he said. “Form groups and Cooperatives.”
In a bid to provide permanent workspace for artisans, Museveni pledged that the government would purchase land for garages and vocational training centres. He admitted that previous support initiatives, especially for garages and boda boda riders, failed due to poor follow-up. “I had given support before, but I am not sure how it ended. I was busy, and I thought the work was being done. This time, my State House team will closely follow up to make sure everything is implemented,” he assured.
President Museveni also aimed at Kampala’s opposition leadership, accusing them of failing to advocate for the needs of their constituents. Citing the poor access road to the recently opened Busega Market, the President said he had not been informed of the issue due to political disconnection.
“If you elect leaders who don’t talk to me, how will I know what’s not working? You are suffering not because government programs are not there, but because you ignore them due to politics,” Museveni said. “Don’t reject development because of politics.”
He reiterated that the Parish Development Model is meant for all Ugandans, regardless of political affiliation. “If a SACCO in Rubaga has 240 members, how can we fail to support that? Don’t sabotage yourselves out of ignorance,” he said.
Mr. Muhamood Sonko, chairman of Bakitende Expert Garage, welcomed the President and revealed that the facility trains 65 youth mechanics, 20 of whom have since become experts.
“We don’t chase them after training. As long as they are disciplined, they become part of us,” Sonko said. He appealed for more vocational tools and car carriers to help improve efficiency at the garage.
Local Council 1 chairperson Mr. Steven Sekawungu also thanked the President for his visit and leadership, saying Uganda has seen remarkable peace and progress under the NRM. “You have worked hard for this country. Those of us who lived through previous regimes know the difference,” Sekawungu said.
The event was attended by several senior officials, including Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, Minister for Kampala Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, State Minister for Youth Hon. Balaam Barugahara, KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, and NRM Director for Mobilisation Hon. Rosemary Sseninde.
The President’s Kampala tour continues this week, focusing on assessing the implementation of the Parish Development Model and unlocking new strategies to empower urban informal sector players.
Comments
