PRESIDENT MUSEVENI EMPHASISES WEALTH CREATION AS PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT AT LABOUR DAY CELEBRATIONS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today presided over the
celebration of the International Labour Day at Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary
School Grounds in Matale, Buikwe District, calling on Ugandans to focus
on wealth creation as the pathway to sustainable employment.

The celebrations were held under the theme: “Safeguarding Uganda’s
Progress: Empowering the Workforce and Promoting Decent Work for
Competitive Enterprise.”

The President emphasized that job opportunities already exist within
agriculture if properly utilized.

He cited the example of Mr. Richard Nyakana of Fort Portal, who
operates on just 1.2 acres of land and earns over UGX 200 million
annually, employing 12 people through poultry and dairy farming.

President Museveni noted that Uganda has about 40 million acres of
arable land, arguing that if citizens emulate such models, job creation
would naturally follow.

“The issue is not jobs, it is about following government advice,” he said,
urging Ugandans to adopt the four-acre model or even smaller-scale
ventures like that of Basangwa in Kamuli, who started poultry farming on
a 50 by 100 plot of land and now earns significantly.

He cautioned citizens against rushing into business without proper
planning, advising them to avoid high-interest commercial bank loans.
Instead, he encouraged borrowing from the Uganda Development Bank,
which offers lower interest rates.

He also highlighted government support through the Parish Development Model (PDM), revealing plans to double its funding in the next government term, while urging beneficiaries to repay loans to sustain the initiative.
Addressing workers’ welfare, President Museveni pledged that the
government will secure land near industrial parks to construct affordable
housing.

He added that if private investors are unavailable, the National
Housing and Construction Company will be tasked to undertake the
project.

On education, the President acknowledged concerns about irrelevant
courses and said the Ministry of Education would provide clearer
guidance.

“We are really going to take it up,” he assured.
Reflecting on industrial growth, President Museveni attributed the rise of
over 5,000 factories to sustained peace and strategic investment in
electricity.

He recalled the 2005–2006 load shedding crisis and his directive to
prioritize power generation.

He urged Members of Parliament to support key infrastructure projects,
including electricity expansion, oil refinery development , water transport
initiatives with Tanzania, and railway construction, alongside increased
funding for agriculture through PDM.

He further stressed the need to transition more Ugandans into the
money economy, urging legislators to assess how many of their
constituents are productively engaged.

On fisheries, he called for stricter regulation of fishing activities, warning
that not everyone can depend on lake resources.

The President also warned against wetland encroachment, advocating
for sustainable use.

He cited Limoto Wetland, where farmers shifted from rice growing to fish
farming at the edges, earning over UGX 70 million per acre. He
explained that preserved wetlands support irrigation, pointing to a
government farm in Bushenyi using irrigation and fertilizers to produce
53 tonnes of bananas, compared to just 5 tonnes by neighboring farmers
using traditional methods.

On savings, President Museveni raised concerns about underutilization
of funds under the National Social Security Fund Uganda (NSSF),
suggesting investment in infrastructure such as toll roads, including the
planned Kampala–Jinja expressway.

Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo thanked the President for prioritizing
workers’ issues.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty
Amongi praised the government for ensuring peace and security,
describing it as a foundation for jobs, development, and food security.
She also highlighted Buikwe’s growing status as an industrial hub.

Mr. Okello Musa, Chairman General of the National Organization of
Trade Unions, commended the rollout of the Public Service Pension
Scheme set for July and the increase in the PAYE threshold.

He, however, raised concerns about worker accommodation and the
mismatch in the education system.

Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, representing the Federation of Uganda
Employers, lauded the government’s Third National Development Plan
and the proposed increase in PDM funding from UGX 100 million to
UGX 200 million, as well as the amended Employment Act.

The State Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations, Hon. Esther
Anyakun, appreciated the President for assenting