The President emphasised the need to ensure that economic growth translates into improved household incomes, citing government programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Can you have a strong army and a strong and safe country without a strong economy? Can you have a strong defence force and a strong and safe country without cohesive politics? Finally, can you have a strong defence force and a strong and safe country without, in some cases, addressing the issue of geo-strategic location such as being landlocked?” President Museveni asked.
Akena criticized the government for prioritizing other matters over child welfare and called for a holistic approach to development that includes safety, skills, and greater exposure for school-going children.
“Men in Kamwenge should allow their women to hold responsibility in their families; they should stop selling food out of their women's houses and should be sensitized,"