President Museveni on Wednesday 26th February 2025 met the leaders in Ankole sub-region at Bushenyi Boma grounds in Ishaka-Bushenyi Municipality.
The President highlighted the challenges faced by developing countries, including the wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Somalia and others.
“What we are focusing on now is understanding why such conflicts occur,” he said.
The President argued that leading a nation requires proper diagnosis, similar to a medical approach.
“Leading our country is like being a doctor. If you do not diagnose the right disease and provide the corresponding treatment, there’s a problem,” he explained.
Reflecting on the 1960s, President Museveni recalled the four key priorities of development, wealth, skills and jobs.
“Back then, infrastructure developments like roads, electricity, schools, and hospitals became symbols of progress. But I urge the leaders to focus more on wealth generation because wealth and development are different,” he said.
“We need to embrace these success stories. Wealth creation starts from grassroots-level initiatives,” President Museveni affirmed.
He pointed to the government’s initiatives such as Entandikwa, NAADS, Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation and Parish Development Model which inject funds directly into communities.
“Through the Parish Development Model (PDM), beneficiaries get their own money to use as they see fit. This money won’t return to Kampala. It is a revolving fund, continuously supporting local development,” he emphasized.
President Museveni also called for more funding, acknowledging that the distribution of beneficiaries across parishes may require tailored amounts to meet diverse needs.
President Museveni also talked about the ongoing challenges in the agricultural sector. He requested full support for a government irrigation program to mitigate effects of the drought.
“This program is essential. Those in wetlands must relocate to allow us to better manage resources for food production and water distribution,” he said.
“Additionally, we must invest in processing industries for agricultural products,” he added, referring to creating value chains with the likes of egg production, milk, butter, and yogurt.
President Museveni also encouraged the youth to pursue careers in science and technology.
“We need more scientists, engineers, doctors, and agricultural experts if we want to build a strong economy. Storytellers can’t feed the country,” he said .
President Museveni further emphasised that the nation must overcome sectarianism and focus on wealth creation and economic sustainability, particularly in sectors such as commercial agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, and services.
“I urge you to prioritize wealth creation over irrelevant politics. The promotion of jobs, skills, and wealth informs our national progress,” he noted.
The President’s recent regional tours in Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Karamoja, Busoga, Lango, Greater Masaka, Kigezi and others, have provided first hand testimonies of the government’s achievements.
The President concluded by encouraging all Ugandans to participate actively in the nation’s economic transformation efforts, stressing that collective action is necessary to transform Uganda’s economy sustainably.
The event was also attended by the Vice President Jesca Alupo, Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja, NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, the Minister of State for Investment and Privatization, Hon. Evelyn Anite, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (Animal Industry), Members of Parliament, among others.
