Leaders must drive grassroots prosperity – Museveni

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on leaders in the Greater Mukono region to intensify public awareness of government wealth creation initiatives, stressing the need for economic empowerment at the household level.

“Leaders, you must educate our people about wealth creation. Put more emphasis on it, like the lowest common multiple (LCM), which I studied in primary. Wealth is a solution to all things apart from freedom, which is provided by the government,” the President said.

He made the remarks on June 20, 2025, while addressing leaders from the Greater Mukono area during a meeting held at Mukono Boarding Primary School playground, located in Mukono Central Division, Mukono district.

President Museveni encouraged residents to fully engage in Uganda’s money economy by tapping into four key sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. He also advised against relying on government jobs, noting that they are limited and cannot meet the country’s growing employment needs. Instead, he urged the public to seek opportunities in the private sector, which he said offers millions of job openings.

The President also highlighted the importance of peace in sustaining development.

“Inform Ugandans that keeping peace is important. We want Uganda to be free from wars; whoever wants to disrupt it, we shall deal with him/her using an iron hand. The National Resistance Movement has an experience of over 50 years in building a strong army,” he asserted.

Amos Lugoloobi, the minister of state for finance, planning and economic development, speaking on behalf of the Greater Mukono leadership, thanked the President for his visionary leadership, which he said had ensured peace, security, macroeconomic stability and socio-economic progress across the country. He also presented a summary of the leaders’ memorandum to the President.

In an update on government financial empowerment programmes, microfinance state minister Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune shared the status of the Emyooga programme. He noted that the initiative is designed to create jobs, increase household incomes, and promote access to financial services through internal savings and seed capital provided by the government.

According to Kasolo, Emyooga supports 18 specific enterprise groups, including boda-boda riders, market vendors, salon operators, taxi drivers, youth leaders, persons with disabilities, produce dealers, welders, women entrepreneurs, tailors, carpenters, veterans and their dependants, performing artists, restaurant owners, mechanics, elected local leaders, and journalists.

Addressing issues of land, lands minister Judith Nabakooba spoke of the uniqueness of Buganda’s land tenure system and emphasised the need for it to be managed with sensitivity and coordination.

“The government remains firmly committed to protecting all legitimate land rights while ensuring traditional and modern institutions work together harmoniously. Land security is essential for economic development and social harmony throughout the region,” she said.

Dennis Galabuzi Ssozi, national coordinator of the Parish Development Model (PDM), reported that the Greater Mukono area is home to 273 PDM SACCOs, spanning four districts and three municipalities: Mukono (88), Kayunga (71), Buvuma (38), Buikwe (31), Mukono MC (9), Lugazi MC (20), and Njeru MC (16).

He revealed that the total funding allocated to these SACCOs amounts to sh83.823 billion, with sh68.129 billion already disbursed. The average disbursement rate currently stands at 81.28%, reflecting commendable efficiency in the utilisation of funds.