Museveni tips leaders on modern agro-production

President Yoweri Museveni who is also the NRM presidential flag bearer in the forthcoming general elections has urged NRM leaders in Kitgum in particular and Uganda, in general, to ensure that society is transformed through modern, commercial and calculated agriculture production for wealth creation if the society is to transform.

"I want you to work from parish to parish, which is the centre of gravity, and find out how many people are still engaged in subsistence farming and insist on converting them to commercial agriculture. If we do that, even with what has been achieved, the sky is the limit," he said.

The President was today meeting NRM leaders and flag bearers from Kitgum at Boma Grounds in Kitgum Municipality. He urged them to explain to the population the NRM ideology of promoting people's common interests as opposed to identity.

Museveni said he was very happy to be in the area when peace and development are now in place and congratulated the people of the Acholi region for this progress, adding that NRM which has ensured this process is the only party qualified to run the country.

He said today, Uganda is experiencing the peace that is attracting investors who are helping in solving the challenges of essential commodities, providing employment to Ugandans, and also paying taxes to the government.

President Museveni cited some of the biggest taxpayers that include MTN that pays sh701b, Airtel sh524b, Total Uganda sh399b, Nile Breweries sh327b, Uganda Breweries over sh300b, BIDCO over sh100b, and Stanbic Bank sh164b among others.

He said taxes collected from these companies are eventually distributed to districts for development, adding that MTN alone can support many districts in the country.

He said another achievement highly registered by the NRM government was the return of the Asian properties that gave Uganda a good name abroad and led to the return of investors to Uganda.

Candidate Museveni advised aspiring MPs to mind the needs and interests of the people they want to represent in Parliament while allocating funds in the budget, saying instead of wasting money on things like foreign travels, funds should be channelled to the needs of the people.

He urged NRM leaders to sensitise the population about the achievements of the NRM and to consolidate their unity for development.

On employment provided by investors, Museveni cited the Atiak sugar factory where many Ugandans are employed and others are working in the sugar plantations.

During a light moment, President Museveni moved from his tent to brave the scorching sun and took time to educate the delegates on the benefits of the sun's rays adding that they provide vitamin D needed for boosting one's immunity, that in-turn ward off some ailments.

He cautioned Ugandans to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah praised President Yoweri Museveni for stabilising and establishing peace in the country and for giving people the power to choose their leaders through elections.

"The 35 years of NRM governance have given the country the opportunity to develop. Instead of 7 military coups, we now have 7 elections. So we have moved away from bullets to ballots," he noted.

He further observed that during the current campaigns, some people preach violence and destruction while Museveni preaches peace, unity, and prosperity.

Oulanyah strongly advised the youth to reject violence and destruction and embrace unity and development.

The Prime Minister the Ruhakana Rugunda thanked the leaders of Acholi sub-region for mobilizing the masses to support NRM.

"This support must be consolidated to ensure that the journey from backwardness to modernity is completed. The only person to lead is none other than President Museveni," he said.