President Museveni emphasises boosting production and enhancing skills as the path to eradicating poverty in Uganda.
FORT PORTAL, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has declared that the definitive path to eradicating poverty in Uganda lies in boosting national production and enhancing the skills of its citizens, urging Ugandans to actively pursue opportunities in these areas as a sustainable wealth creation strategy.
Speaking during a media engagement with journalists from the Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions at the Fort Portal State Lodge, the President called for a fundamental shift in mindset, challenging what he termed a “colonial mentality” that prioritises scarce government jobs over the vast economic potential in agriculture, industry, trade, and skilled craftsmanship.
The President elaborated on the diverse and growing job opportunities across various specialities—including agro-processing, manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), construction, tourism, and vocational trades—which he said are more aligned with Uganda’s economic realities and developmental needs.
He emphasised that government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and skilling programs are designed precisely to empower citizens to engage in productive ventures and become job creators rather than job seekers.
The engagement also provided a platform to highlight region-specific opportunities in Tooro and Rwenzori, such as coffee value addition, dairy farming, tourism services, and mineral beneficiation, aligning local potential with national economic plans.
President Museveni’s message reinforces the government’s long-standing advocacy for mindset change, self-reliance, and economic diversification as Uganda seeks to transition from a predominantly subsistence economy to a competitive, skilled, and productive nation.
Analysts note that while the call for a shift in employment culture is not new, its persistent articulation at the highest level signals ongoing concern over youth unemployment and underemployment, and a continued push to orient education and mindset toward enterprise and innovation.
