Infrastructure devt will solve youth unemployment - President

TORORO - President Yoweri Museveni has said that the National Resistance Movement has prioritized and will continue to allocate reasonable resources to the development of the country’s infrastructure projects such as roads, electricity generation, the railway network which form the backbone to the country’s economic development.

The President was Friday addressing a mammoth crowd at Tororo Municipality Grounds where he officiated at the commissioning of the Mbale-Tororo 48km road that was rehabilitated at a cost of sh63.8b. It was funded by the government of Uganda from locally generated revenue.

President Museveni waves to crowds at Tororo Municipality Grounds where he officiated at the commissioning of the Mbale-Tororo 48km road. PHOTO/PPU

The President called for consensus between government and the citizens especially the civil servants on what Uganda’s development priorities are and focus on them.

He said that as the country faces unemployment problem, government is focusing on ways of reducing the cost of doing business so as to attract increased investment in the country that will in turn create more jobs and contribute to the country’s economic development.

President Museveni addresses crowds at Tororo Municipality Grounds where he officiated at the commissioning of the Mbale-Tororo 48km road. PHOTO/PPU

Museveni however expressed concern that as government focuses on infrastructural development so as to reduce the cost of doing business and be competitive in the region, Ugandans especially civil servants, continue to demand for immediate salary increment which if effected would affect the implementation of crucial infrastructural programs.

“We have to agree on national priorities, we can’t attract industries without peace, roads, the railway and electricity. And we can’t get them without investing heavily and yet we can’t invest heavily in priority areas when civil servant are demanding immediate salary increment” the President said.

The President said they increased the Works Ministry budget from sh300b a few years ago to sh3trillion this financial year which accounts for the improved road net work in the country.

“This road and many other roads which are being constructed are a clear testimony of the National Resistance Movement strategy that focuses on development rather than consumption and you can see that it works,” he said.

President Museveni holds a shield and spear given to him by Tororo elders. PHOTO/PPU

Museveni said that in addition to improving the road network, government has finalized plans to construct the standard gauge railway that will further ease transport in the country.

He announced that government is due to tarmac Mbale-Bubulo-Lwakhakha road, Tirinyi-Palisa-Kumi-Kamonkoli road and Tororo Busia road. Others to be upgraded are Nabumali-Butaleja-Namutumba road, Bubulo-Bududa circular road, Magale-Bumbo-Lwakhakha road and Tororo-Nagongela-Busolwe road.

Mr. Museveni emphasized that the solution to unemployment in Uganda is in industrialization.

“Tororo cement factory alone employs 800 workers, what would happen if we had more such factories? Most Ugandans go to Japan and work in factories because Japan has many factories. There is scarcity of labor in the country,” he said.

The President appealed to Ugandans to work and overcome poverty by making good use of the government programs aimed at eliminating poverty. He urged the youth to safe guard their lives from HIV/Aids by avoiding promiscuity and other negative vices such alcoholism and substance abuse.

He appealed to Ugandans to embrace and support the National Resistance Movement so as to cement the gains the country has realized since 1986.

The Executive Director of the Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) Mrs. Allen Kagina said that the authority is committed to improving the road network in the country and asked the population to take advantage of the improved roads to increase production and better their lives.

She appealed to communities to protect the road assets especially the road signs by reporting thieves to UNRA and the Police. She also cautioned the transporters from overloading that damages the road and reduces its life span.