Consolidate NRM's gains, Museveni tells Teso business community

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon the Teso business community in particular and Uganda, in general, to work towards consolidating the gains achieved by the NRM government over the years including the prevailing peace which is now enjoyed by all Ugandans.

"Thank you for having good spectacles and realizing that the group that can further steer up Uganda is NRM. You have seen this and you know its historical achievement of peace in Uganda. Any serious person would work towards consolidating this achievement" Museveni said.

The President made these remarks on Monday while officiating at the commemoration of 20 years of existence of Jeressar High School in Soroti in Soroti City.

Seated on 20 acres of land in Soroti City, Jeressar High School was founded 20 years ago by Moses Orioga. The school employs 160 teaching and non-teaching staff.

Museveni also laid a foundation stone for the construction of Jeressar Medical College an extension of the school whose works will commence soon. The college once complete will offer certificates and diplomas in nursing, lab tech, radiography, and clinical medicine.

Shortly after the function, the President met and held discussions with the Teso business community.

"I'm very happy to meet the rich people of Teso. You are supporting NRM by actions not words," he said.

Museveni revealed that the problem of Africa and Uganda, in particular, are the people who are still asleep. He however commended the business community of Teso for proving that they can make money here and get rich.

"How can the people of Africa who harvest twice a year be poor while the Europeans who harvest once a year are rich?" he asked.

He saluted Orioga and other business people in the region for creating wealth and jobs for the people.

"Here you are making progress in the four sectors of wealth and jobs, these are commercial agriculture, factories, services, and ICT. Am happy to meet you because you are a living example," Museveni said.

"If we had 143,000 rich people like you," the President said, "Ugandans would be having jobs. We would create jobs for 43 million people."

Museveni said that what NRM did was to create unity, build a strong army, and sustain peace and security which has attracted rich people who have come to invest in the country.

The big effort we need now, said the President, is to wake up Ugandans to engage in money-making enterprises.

Orioga said that Ugandans including himself are enjoying the blessed leadership of President Museveni in a blessed nation.

"Uganda is growing fast and Cities are being formed. The bible says don't give holy things to dogs. The peace we have is because of you" Orioga said.

Orioga who narrated how he started his business empire with a sh20,000 jerrycan of paraffin never borrowed from any bank to support his business but used the peace, security, and protection by the NRM government to build his business empire.

"A tree is known by its fruits. I never borrowed from any bank for my business. The peace, security, and protection that the NRM government gave me have brought me this far," he said.

The Teso business community pledged to work with the government to further the development of this nation.