Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni has reminded the people of Gomba District to prioritise wealth creation rather than focusing solely on demands for development infrastructure.
“We have been telling people that tarmac roads and electricity are good, but how will they benefit you if there is poverty in your home? Jesus said, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will be added unto you.’ As NRM, we say: seek wealth for households first, and everything else will be added,” Museveni said.
The NRM presidential candidate was on Tuesday addressing a rally at Nsambwe Primary School in Gomba District.
Museveni, who earlier received a heroic welcome, told the people of Gomba that he is a living example of how one can become wealthy even in an underdeveloped area.
He explained that when he bought land at his upcountry home in Rwakitura, the area was not developed. However, he was determined to change his fortunes, and by the time tarmac roads and electricity reached the area, he was already wealthy.
“I went to Rwakitura and bought land. I realised that cows do not eat tarmac. By the time roads and electricity came, they found me wealthy. When I came to buy land in this area, they showed me Mbirizi near the tarmac road, but I said no. They then showed me a vast piece of land in Kisozi, but I was told it was very far. I told them not to worry—I do not sell pancakes, so I did not need land near the road. By the time electricity and water came, they found me already wealthy. You too can adopt this approach,” Museveni said.
According to Museveni, wealth creation is key for everyone. He urged homesteads to adopt the four-acre model by engaging in activities such as growing coffee and fruits, keeping pasture for dairy cows, piggery, poultry farming, and fish farming in wetlands, among others.
“You are wealthy, but something is still missing here. For example, Joseph Ijara from Serere earns Shs6 million per day from enterprises on just 2.5 acres,” he said.
He added that while there are still some poor people, many Ugandans have become wealthy by following NRM advice and utilising government programmes such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga.
Development
Nevertheless, Museveni said that since coming to power in 1986, the NRM government has contributed significantly to national development.
He cited the tarmacking of the Mpigi–Kibibi–Gombe–Kayenje–Mpenja–Kanoni–Sembabule–Masaka Road, noting that many other roads have also been worked on.
Museveni said there are plans in the coming term to tarmac the Kifampa–Bugomola–Kyamulibwa–Villa Maria Road and the Kanoni–Maanyi–Mityana–Ssekanyonyi–Busunju Road.
He explained delays in implementing some projects, blaming politicians who, he said, do not understand how his government operates.
“We have good plans, but sometimes the people you send us, especially opposition MPs, do not help us. Our way, as bush fighters, is to handle one thing at a time. It took God six days to create the earth—He worked from Monday to Saturday, when He created man. If God did not do everything in one day, how do you expect Museveni, son of Kaguta, to do everything in one day?” he said.
However, Museveni assured residents that with proper realignment, all planned projects would be implemented.
On education, he said progress had been made in some areas, though not everywhere.
“The plan is to ensure that every parish has a government primary school and every sub-county has a government secondary school,” he said.
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