President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated his call to the people of the Kigezi subregion to listen to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) message of wealth creation if they are to fight poverty and improve their livelihoods.
“I request you to listen to the NRM message of wealth creation. When we came from the bush, we found most people poor. We said we don’t want poverty in Uganda. I couldn’t allow my people to be poor when I’m prosperous. I want all people to be prosperous,” he said.
The president made the remarks recently while addressing a public rally in Rukiga district. The rally was part of President Museveni’s performance assessment zonal tour on wealth creation and the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the Kigezi sub-region.
According to President Museveni, since coming to power, the NRM government has been coming up with several interventions aimed at improving the lives of Ugandans socially and economically.
“We started with immunisation for all and we successfully managed to achieve it. From there, we introduced free education (Bonna Basome) in the form of UPE and USE. Then we introduced bonna bagagawale (prosperity for all),” he said.
He however noted that the free education for all program in government schools is being frustrated by those who ask for fees, but he assured the people of Kigezi that the government is going to work on the issue.
He also implored the residents to embrace the four-acre model farming to improve their household income.
“In the 1996 NRM Manifesto, we identified seven activities. One acre put coffee, the second acre put fruits, and the third acre put pasture for dairy cows. In the fourth acre, grow food crops. In the backyard, do poultry for eggs, piggery, and fish farming for those near the swamps,” he said.
He advised them to use the PDM funds to invest in one or more of seven activities, before assuring them that those officials stealing the funds, will be arrested.
On the other hand, President Museveni tasked the people of Rukiga to utilise wetlands well by carrying out fish farming and irrigation to increase agricultural productivity.
“You underutilise the dry land and misuse the wetlands. You can make good money in fish farming,” he stated.
The president also rallied the residents to create wealth and jobs by taking part in the four sectors of the economy, which include commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
President Museveni further cautioned the people of Rukiga against land fragmentation, saying that they shouldn’t divide land when the head of the family dies, but they should set up lucrative enterprises on the property and benefit from shares.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, urged the people of Kigezi to work towards improving their livelihoods by embracing government programs aimed at helping them fight poverty.
“As a man, you shouldn’t waste your money on drinking beer/waragi; use it to develop yourselves,” he said.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, also the Vice Chairperson of NRM-Western Uganda, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, thanked President Museveni for the infrastructural development in Kigezi, saying that the people in the subregion are really grateful to the NRM government.
He also reported to the president that some selfish people are promoting sectarianism in the subregion by trying to divide the people in the area along religious lines.
“The NRM preaches unity and emphasises development for all. I call upon the people of Kigezi and Uganda at large to desist from politics of identity based on tribe and religion. We should vote for leaders who focus on development for all,” the minister urged.
As political leaders in this region, we squarely condemn the act, and people should isolate whoever tries to raise issues of sectarianism in Kigezi.”
Rukiga County Member of Parliament, Hon. Roland Ndyomugyenyi, thanked President Museveni for initiating numerous poverty alleviation programs like the PDM and Emyooga that have elevated the livelihoods of Ugandans.
“Your Excellency, we thank you for the wealth creation programs. The people of Rukiga are really grateful, and they have benefitted a lot from the PDM. They have utilised it very well,” he said.
The rally was also attended by the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, ministers, members of Parliament, and other leaders.
