“We can’t have jobs without wealth creation,” President Museveni concludes PDM tour

18 April 2025, 10:56 am

By Sarah Ejang

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has re-emphasised the importance of wealth creation, describing it as a fundamental driver of job creation.

Addressing a public rally today in Kiboga West constituency as he concluded his wealth creation tour in the 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 others.

“The government jobs (teachers, doctors, security, sub-county and parish chiefs, etc.) total only 480,000, compared to a population of 46 million Ugandans. Therefore, government jobs can’t help us. More jobs are found in the private sector, especially in commercial agriculture and dairy production,” H.E. Museveni said, citing the example of the Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, whose commercial farm in Bugangaizi, Kagadi, employs over 26 people, with the lowest-paid worker earning 200,000 shillings per month.

“That’s how jobs are created. We cannot have jobs without wealth creation,” the President emphasised, adding that wealth creation expands the tax base, which the government uses to fund national development programmes, such as constructing roads, schools, extending electricity, and building healthcare facilities.

He added that, no matter how much the government extends developmental services such as tarmac roads and electricity, these will not lift Ugandans out of poverty unless they 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, along with another road from Kampala to Fort Portal, and the road from Kampala to Malaba on the border with Kenya. But today, when you go there, you will find poor people living alongside the 60-year-old tarmac road. So, whether you’re 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 cited the example of Ndangaalo parish in Rubirizi district, which had 2,500 households, but none were engaged in income-generating activities, except for one Mr. Kateeba, who had seven pigs and was regarded as the wealthiest person.

The President also emphasised the importance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a cornerstone of Uganda’s strategy for wealth creation and poverty alleviation, aiming to transition approximately 39% of Ugandans from subsistence farming to the money economy.

“We started with Entandikwa, then NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, and now we are on PDM and Emyooga. All of these initiatives are designed to help lift you out of poverty within your family or household. The tarmac roads are for all of us, but as an individual, how do you use them to escape poverty? I want all of you to start. I don’t want to be rich alone, leading poor people,” H.E. Museveni remarked, while expressing appreciation to the religious leaders in Greater Mubende, who, he said, are walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who, apart from preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and feeding the hungry, worked as a carpenter.

President Museveni also used the public rally to address the pressing issue of land conflicts in Kiboga and the Greater Mubende sub-region, which involve the irregular acquisition of land and the displacement of legitimate occupants.

He explained that, while regulating the relationship between landlords and tenants, the constitution clearly states that no landlord is allowed to evict a tenant who has been on the same land since 1983 or earlier. He added that landlords who refuse to accept rent payments (Obusuulu) will, from now on, be required to collect it from the district.

“This issue, I hear that landlords refuse rent payments (obusuulu); that’s up to them. The Ministry of Lands will organise where to place 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, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, earlier explained that her ministry will soon open bank accounts per district where tenants can deposit rent payments that landlords refuse to accept.

At the same ceremony, Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo thanked President Museveni for taking the time to monitor wealth creation programmes across the country.

“We all know that securing Uganda’s future is an uphill task that requires lifelong commitment, dedication, vast knowledge, and experience. It demands leadership that has been tried and tested and found worthy of such responsibility. Your Excellency, the people of Uganda recognise these qualities in you, at least based on the messages we have received from the 13 subregions across Uganda,” Vice President Alupo said. She added that under the NRM leadership, Uganda has made significant strides in restoring political stability and security for all citizens and their property.

The Deputy Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement, Hon. Rose Namayanja, informed the President that Greater Mubende has transformed significantly following its expansion from two districts to five, with major achievements in education, healthcare, roads, and wealth creation programmes.

“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,” Hon. Namayanja said.

Greater Mubende, located in the central region of Uganda, comprises seven local governments: Kassanda, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Mityana, Mubende, Mityana Municipality, and Mubende Municipality.

The ceremony was also attended by, among others, the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, ministers, several Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners, and religious leaders.