Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni has told the people of Entebbe that his main desire is to eradicate poverty in Uganda by ensuring that all Ugandans become wealthy.
“Many people here have become wealthy. In Abayita Ababiri, there were only four shops, but when you go there now, you see big shops all over. When we came, from Nansana to Lubigi it was bush; Kawanda was also bush, where we used to lay our ambushes. Many places here have grown, and many people are well-off. Wealth is here, but we want everyone to be rich. We don’t want a country of the poor and the rich living side by side,” Museveni said as he addressed a mega rally at the Entebbe Ministry of Works Grounds.
The President, who cited peace as a key enabler for development, told the people of Entebbe that there are simple ways to get out of poverty.
“There is peri-urban agriculture—rearing animals and growing crops in peri-urban areas like Kasanje, Kasenyi, and Nakawuka. For example, non-Muslims can rear pigs in their backyards, and others can raise chickens for eggs,” he said.
“There is also flower farming. The money we send you through PDM, Emyooga, NAADS, and for Ghetto and Boda Boda projects should be used to lift yourselves out of poverty by engaging in activities that earn you money.”
Museveni also highlighted backyard vegetable gardening and artisanship, including shoemaking, furniture making, welding, and weaving, noting that the government will support all groups involved in these ventures.
“All groups that want to participate in artisanship will be supported because many products we use have been imported. For example, we import furniture from Dubai, which is a desert and has no trees! This means we have been sleeping. Items like furniture and footwear, which we have been importing, can be made here,” he said.
The President added that tourism presents another avenue for wealth creation for the people of Entebbe.
“The other source of wealth is tourism. If you can protect your places, like the Botanical Gardens and beaches, you will attract many tourists who come to rest but also spend money. Tourists buy food, stay in your hotels, and leave you with cash,” he explained.
Museveni also revealed that the government plans to set up several fish factories in Entebbe to provide jobs for youths and add value to the fish harvested from Lake Victoria.
He urged the people to vote NRM flag bearers so they can monitor government programs and in case of anything wrong, they can report to him
“You said PDM cash was stolen. Is it me who voted the opposition MP you have? The person to monitor it would be your MP. You don’t have an LC5 chairman, MP and woman MP. You are orphans. You too are to blame for not voting wisely. It is high time you corrected this mistake,” Museveni said.
First Lady Janet Museveni reminded Ugandans of the journey that brought them to this moment.
“The people who attend these rallies remind us where God has brought us from. What God has done in these 40 years for Uganda—peace, unity, and stability—is a blessing. God used NRM, President Museveni, and the UPDF to ensure these gains,” she said.
She urged Ugandans not to forget the struggles of the past and the effort it took to achieve the blessings they enjoy today.
“As God told the people of Israel, never forget. When you live better, never forget where God has brought you from. Remember what God had to do to give you the blessing of unity, prosperity, and peace, for Uganda to become a blessing in the region.”
As the January 15 elections approach, she urged citizens to exercise their democratic right.
“Please don’t forget, and when January 15 comes, make sure neighbours and elders are up to go vote NRM to ensure we get a leap forward as we protect the gains. We must protect the gains, and we can only do it by voting NRM,” she emphasized.
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