Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni has called on youth leaders across the country to lead a mindset shift among young people—from waiting for scarce government jobs to actively engaging in wealth creation—arguing that Uganda’s long-term prosperity depends on youth participation in productive economic sectors.
Addressing youth leaders from Western Uganda at his Kisozi farm in Gomba District , President Museveni said the future of Uganda lies in young people embracing income-generating activities in commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“The issue of empowerment at the individual level is very important. The idea of distributing heifers or revolving support is good. But when it comes to jobs, we must look for methods that cover many people,” President Museveni said.“The answer is wealth creation. All of you should be involved in wealth creation.”
The meeting brought together youth leaders from the Western Uganda cluster, including Kigezi, Ankole, Rwenzori, and Bunyoro sub-regions, and focused on youth empowerment, access to Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, leadership inclusion, and skilling opportunities.
President Museveni cautioned youth leaders against promoting unrealistic expectations of public sector employment, noting that government jobs are limited and cannot absorb Uganda’s rapidly growing youth population.
He explained that Uganda’s public service employs only about 480,000 people, most of whom are already in service, with minimal annual turnover through retirement.
“Even if all those retired at once, it would not solve the youth unemployment problem. The solution is what I have been telling you—the four sectors,” he said.
To reinforce his message, President Museveni disclosed that most of his children are engaged in private wealth creation rather than government employment.
“My children finished their education long ago, but none of them works for the government, except Muhoozi (Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba), who likes the army. All the others are engaged in wealth creation, and they started when they were young,” he said.
“For example, I can’t give all of you 275 jobs, and yet you are just leaders. There are other youths out there. So I want you, as part of the NRM strategy, to understand wealth creation for each individual and each family through the four sectors,” he added.
President Museveni reiterated that Uganda’s economic transformation strategy revolves around four key sectors capable of absorbing millions of young people.
Commercial agriculture, he said, offers endless opportunities, whether through small-scale intensive farming or large-scale production.
He cited the example of Johnson Basangwa of Kamuli, who started poultry farming on a small scale and built a successful enterprise.
“The screens I show you during my tours are real examples. People start small, and they grow,” the President said.
The second sector, manufacturing and artisanship, includes value-addition activities such as maize milling, animal feed production, and coffee processing.
“If you form groups and say you want support to do maize milling or animal feeds, I can support you. Value addition is where the money is,” he said, emphasizing that markets sustain production.“If you produce a good or a service, there is always demand.”
President Museveni also placed strong emphasis on ICT, describing it as a gateway for Ugandan youth to access global markets without leaving the country.
He highlighted Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) as a major employment opportunity.
“You can be an auditor here in Uganda, and a company in Canada sends you its books over the internet. You audit them and get paid online,” he said.
He added that professionals can offer online services, including medical and technical consultations, provided they possess the necessary skills.
“These are the sectors where jobs are, where wealth is,” he said.
Parish Development Model (PDM)
The President credited the Parish Development Model as the most effective framework for grassroots wealth creation, noting that its proximity to communities reduces bureaucracy and corruption.
Under the PDM, each parish receives Shs100 million annually, with 30% allocated to youth, 30% to women, 10% to the elderly, and the remaining funds to other priority groups.
“What I don’t like is people moving from the parish to the district looking for forms. That is expensive and creates corruption. The parish is there—you can walk there,” he said.
He questioned calls to create parallel funding structures for youth, urging consolidation at the parish level.
“If the youth are many, why is the 30% in the parish not useful? What is the problem? Why do you want another line?” he asked, warning that officials who demand bribes to access PDM funds are being arrested and disciplined.
Youth leaders raised concerns that the 30% youth allocation does not always reach intended beneficiaries, especially in households where heads make final decisions on fund usage.
In response, President Museveni advised prioritization.“If there is a youth in a household where the head has already benefited, and another youth in a household where nobody has benefited, the one where nobody has benefited should take precedence,” he said.
The NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Region, Eng. Jonard Asiimwe , acknowledged the concerns and revealed that party leadership had agreed to provide additional funding specifically for local leaders.
“That issue came up in our top meeting. We agreed that Shs15 million would be added on purpose for leaders,” he said, noting that the funds would be included in subsequent PDM disbursements.
Ahead of the 2026 general elections, youth leaders from Western Uganda formally declared their support for President Museveni, the NRM Presidential flagbearer.
Mr. Mathias Kato, the National Vice Chairman of the Western Uganda Youth League, delivered a joint memorandum on behalf of the youth.
“We overwhelmingly second you as our party flag bearer for President in 2026 and 2031,” Mr. Kato said, pledging to mobilize support across the region.
He praised President Museveni’s leadership for maintaining peace and stability and for advancing youth-focused programs in education, health, and entrepreneurship.
“We appreciate your visionary leadership and the peaceful nation we have known all our lifetime,” he said, urging young people to harness their energy, creativity, and innovation to drive Uganda’s transformation.
Other issues discussed included cadre identification among youth, strengthening ideological training, expanding Presidential skilling hubs, and increasing the number of youths trained per district.
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