GREATER LUWERO ROADSIDE MARKET VENDORS TIPPED ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME AS PRESIDENT MUSEVENI OFFERS THEM MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday extended more financial support to roadside market vendors in Luwero and Nakasongola Districts. For the last three years, President Museveni through State House has been offering support to various roadside market vendors along major Highways like Gulu, Hoima and Mityana roads to boost their household incomes. The 928 vendors who benefited from this latest business booster package were drawn from Kakooge Daily Market in Nakasongola, Kiyenje Daily Market and Balikyewunya Market (both in Luwero). The vendors who received Shs100,000 each, generally ply their trade in agricultural produce, roasted chicken and muchomo as well as beverages. The package was delivered by State House officials led by the Senior Presidential Advisor-Elderly, Princess Pauline Nassolo and Private Secretary to H.E the President, Ms. Flora Kabibi. Princess Nassolo revealed that President Museveni extended the financial support to the vendors with an aim of improving their household incomes. “Mzee wants you to work and improve your livelihoods that's why he always empowers you economically,” she said. “The last time we came here, you told us that some of you have never benefited from the Parish Development Model or Emyooga programs so H.E the President decided to offer you this support of Shs100,000 to each one of you as you wait to benefit from other government programs.” Princess Nassolo also cautioned the vendors against unconstructive politicking, advising them that they should instead focus on fighting poverty through stabilizing their homestead incomes. “When time for politics comes, go and vote then come back to your workstations and always support someone who supports you. I'm very sure Mzee has played his part, now it's your time to reciprocate,” she added. Additionally, Princess Nassolo urged the parents to take good care of their children and groom them to be responsible citizens of Uganda. “Our country is facing a lot of challenges when it comes to morality. Advise your children against immorality and criminality. We want to have morally uplift citizens of Uganda.” In a special way, the Senior Presidential Advisor appreciated the youth of Greater Luwero for listening to President Museveni’s message of wealth creation. “Thank you for joining the money economy. Mzee is proud of you.” On her part, Ms. Kabibi called upon the vendors to appreciate President Museveni for being a visionary leader who cares for the wellbeing of all Ugandans. “Because he cares, that's why he sends this financial support to you to grow your businesses,” she stated. “Although the package is small, please utilise it well. H.E the President will send you more support,” she assured. The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Luwero District, Mr. Richard Bwabye Ntulume asked the vendors to utilise the financial support from the President well. He said the package is meant to empower them economically and that they should vote for the President again in 2026 for more development. On the other hand, the vendors expressed gratitude to President Museveni for offering additional capital to their enterprises. The Chairperson of Kakooge Daily Market, Ms. Sofia Namusisi hailed President Museveni for always extending a helping hand to ordinary Ugandans. “He has done us good. Some of us even received PDM and again he has offered us more support. All I can say is that our people are so happy. Long live President Museveni,” she said. “Your Excellency, thank you also for sending a trustworthy and transparent team, the package has been well received.” Ms. Namusisi further disclosed that she was going to use the money to add capital into her business. On the other hand, she requested President Museveni to set up a modern market for them, saying that the current one is in a poor state. Ms. Betty Nazziwa, 75, a vendor at Kakooge Daily Market also thanked the President for the financial support. “Thank you, President Museveni, for helping a poor woman like me. I'm going to use this money to grow my business so that I can properly look after my family,” she said. Another vendor at Kakooge Daily Market, Mr. Joseph Kato Tebandeke also expressed gratitude to the President for helping ordinary Ugandans like him to improve their household incomes. “This support from President Museveni is going to boost my matooke business,” Mr. Kato said. Mr. Muhammad Ssonko, the Chairperson of Kakooge Chapati Operators Association thanked President Museveni for the various programs meant to help Ugandans fight poverty. “As youths, we are now able to make money and look after our families because of President Museveni’s support. We are with him, and we shall support him again come 2026 general elections,” he noted. Furthermore, Ms. Juliet Nababi, the Chairperson of Kiyenje Daily Market prayed for the good health of President Museveni so that he can continue leading and developing Uganda. “We thank you, Your Excellency, for supporting us, especially women. This market is generally occupied by women, and we are your ardent supporters.” Another vendor in Kiyenje Daily Market, Ms. Nabukenya Madinah called on fellow youths to desist from being idle and work towards improving their welfare. “We are lucky that President Museveni supports us by giving us financial support. We should utilise this chance to create wealth.” Mr. Nsimbe Livingstone, the Secretary of Kiyenje Daily Market said, “We are grateful to President Museveni for the support. We are going to utilise this money to grow our businesses.” At Balikyewunya Market, Mr. Mark Ssesazi said President Museveni has always supported the vendors of Luwero and that it was the second time he was sending support to vendors of Balikyewunya. Ms. Asiat Nankinga who first received President Museveni’s financial support in March 2023, said she used the money to add capital in her matooke business. “Even today I have received the money from our President and I'm so grateful. This money is playing a vital role in helping us to develop, we are now able to look after our families. Thank you, President Museveni.” The LC1 Chairperson of Binyonyi Village in Luwero West, Luwero Town Council, Mr. Kabaale Joseph Ssentongo on behalf of leaders in Luwero thanked President Museveni for supporting their people economically. He said the financial package is a very big empowerment tool to vendors and it will go a long way in helping them grow their businesses. “When our people get such money, they don't need money from lenders who often give out loans with very high interest rates.”

2025-05-30

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI SIGNS SUGARCANE BILL INTO LAW

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has signed the Sugarcane (Amendment) Bill, 2023, into law, calling for cooperation between sugar millers and growers for a prosperous industry. “If you don't want to kill this industry, you should all cooperate because if you don't cooperate, the sugar factories will collapse, and once they collapse, even new farmers will have nowhere to sell the sugar. But also, it is not good for the sugar processors, too,” President Museveni said. The Sugarcane (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed by parliament last month, after additional consultations involving farmers, millers, and Members of Parliament from sugarcane-growing areas of Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, and Acholi on contentious issues that include the composition of the council, the sugarcane pricing formula, and the funding of council activities. Before the signing, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Hon. Mwebesa Francis, informed President Museveni that the Bill provides for self-regulation of the Sugar Industry Stakeholders Council as provided in the Sugar Act of 2020. The council will be composed of the chairperson and four representatives of farmers, three representatives of millers, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for trade or his or her representative, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for Agriculture or his or her representative, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for Finance or his or her representative. “The chairperson will be a person with sufficient knowledge about the sugar industry and selected from millers and farmers representatives on a rotational basis and serve for two years,” Minister Mwebesa said, adding that the rationale for the above consideration was to give farmers more representation on the council and ensure that no group monopolizes the office of chairperson of the council. “Appointing a chairperson on a rotational basis avoids dominance and fosters a spirit of cooperation and collaboration. In addition, ensure that the chairperson's responsibility is to make more inclusive decisions,” he added. A sugar development fund with contributions from millers and outgrowers in the ratio of 70% to 30% will also be established to fund the council activities. During the meeting, President Museveni was also informed that sugarcane millers will share proceeds from sugar and its by-products with farmers. “I am now satisfied. The processors indeed get more value from the cane than just sugar. They also get ethanol and electricity. So, I think this is a good formula. I can now sign the law,” President Museveni noted. He urged sugar millers not to lure poor people, especially those with less than four acres of land, into sugarcane growing, saying that they should stick to the seven activities under the 4-acre model. “These include one acre for coffee, one acre for fruits, an acre for pasture for dairy cows, and an acre for food crops. They can also consider raising poultry in the backyard for eggs, piggery, and fish farming for those near the swamps.” The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, thanked President Museveni for the guidance on the Bill. “When you presented this bill to Parliament through your minister, we risked in between, and we had issues of contention. And when I called you, you said that you don't proceed with the bill until you reach consensus, so we had to go back and start on the mediations,” Dr. Hon. Tayebwa said. The signing ceremony was also witnessed by the third deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Rukia Nakadama; the Minister for Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda; the Minister of State, Trade (Industry), Hon. David Bahati; Members of Parliament from sugarcane growing areas; and leaders of sugarcane growers’ associations from Buganda, Busoga and Bunyoro.

2025-05-30

PEACE IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CALLS FOR POLITICAL WILL AND LIMITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today assumed the chairmanship of the Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region. During the 12th high-level Regional Oversight Mechanism summit held at State House Entebbe, His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye, the President of the Republic of Burundi, handed over the instruments of power to President Museveni to steer the peace mechanism for the next two years. President Museveni emphasized the collective responsibility of all involved in the peace processes while calling for limited foreign interference in the region. “Because we know what the problem is, and it can be solved, but we must have the political will, and foreigners should limit their involvement, because foreigners are the ones who carelessly embolden the mistake. Then the mistake makers think that we don't care about these internal groups. We don't care about the region. What is important is our support,” H.E. Museveni said. The Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework, established in 2013 under the auspices of the United Nations, the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), aims to tackle the root causes of instability in eastern DRC through collective regional responsibility. “I want to congratulate His Excellency (Évariste Ndayishimiye) again for the good work he has done. We now know the problems, and we can solve them. There's nothing we don't know about all these countries: Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Congo, Tanzania, and Kenya. These are our people. In my opinion, these problems are easy to solve. They are not difficult. What is difficult are the three mistakes: philosophy, ideology, and strategy,” President Museveni added. President Museveni blamed the conflicts in the Eastern DRC on the politics of identity, fuelled by foreigners since the days of Mobutu Sese Seko and Juvenal Habyarimana. “The Mobutu army was defeated in Rwanda, and together with Habyarimana, they fled to Goma. We appealed to Mobutu to disarm them. He wouldn't listen because he thinks the internal forces don't matter. We, the neighbors, don't matter. What matters are the foreigners who are supporting them. Why was Mobutu not listening? We were here. We could have helped him,” President Museveni explained. H.E. President Ndayishimiye congratulated President Museveni and assured him of continued support during his tenure. The high-level meeting chaired by President Museveni brought together the heads of state and government or the representatives of the signatory countries of the PSC Framework, which include the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Republic of Kenya, and the Republic of Rwanda. Others are the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Zambia. The representatives of the Guarantor Institutions of the PSC Framework, namely the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the United Nations, also participated in the meeting, as well as partners of the region as observers.

2025-05-28

2026 POLLS: COL. NAKALEMA ASSURES TOURISTS ON SECURITY

As the clock ticks towards the fast-approaching 2026 general elections, the head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema has allayed tourists' fears of any possible insecurity, saying the democratic affair shall be conducted peacefully. Despite other countries where tourism tends to come to a standstill due to election orchestrated violence, Col. Nakalema says the case will be different for Uganda, therefore encouraging more tourists to continue planning to visit the country. “In Uganda, we prioritise the protection of investors who include the tourists because they play a big role in supporting our economy. I can assure you all that the country is peaceful, and we are working to maintain the status even during the forthcoming elections,” she said. Col. Nakalema made the remarks on Thursday 22nd May 2025 during the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2025 held at Speke Resort, Munyonyo. She also revealed that Uganda is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. “We are walking the talk, and I'm proud the international bodies are noticing. We have been declared the best tourist destination countless times,” she said. Col. Nakalema said the State House Investors Protection Unit is working with NITA-Uganda to leverage technology to ensure protection of tourists. She said there are efforts by the government to create a thriving investment climate, a move she says the government is succeeding. “Tourism is a cornerstone of Uganda’s economy, and the government prioritizes the safety of visitors, especially during elections. National parks are closely monitored with robust security measures, and law enforcement works tirelessly to maintain the safety and well-being of travelers in safari zones,” she acknowledged. The reassurance comes at the time when political parties are gearing up preparations towards a democratic affair with the ruling party-NRM already setting pace for internal electoral processes. She pointed out that Uganda is renowned for its dedicated tourism police force, which ensures the safety of travelers across the country. “Tour operators are well-informed about the election season and will make any necessary adjustments to your itinerary to avoid areas affected by political activity, ensuring minimal disruption to your journey,” she said. Ms. Doreen Katusiime, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities rallied investors to choose Uganda, noting that the country is peaceful and with adequate physical features. According to Mr. Amos Wekesa, a member of the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda, famously dubbed the Pearl of Africa, possesses all the elements required to dominate the global tourism sector. "From its unique mountain gorillas to the world’s most powerful waterfalls, the country is a treasure store of natural and cultural wonders. However, despite a steady post-COVID recovery and notable achievements, Uganda lags behind regional competitors like Kenya and Tanzania in realizing its tourism potential." Mr. Wekesa pointed out that to top the world's tourism rankings, Uganda must address systemic challenges while strategically leveraging its unique offerings. He says the sector has demonstrated resilience, with revenue rising from Shs110bn in 2017/18 to Shs156.5bn in 2023/24. Employment has surged to 610,806, and visitor numbers to national parks and the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) are on the rise. However, foreign exchange earnings of $1.025 billion in FY 2023/24 remain significantly below the $1.6 billion recorded pre-pandemic in 2019/20. “While infrastructure upgrades like improved tourism roads and the near-complete Entebbe Airport expansion have spurred growth, critical gaps in funding, inadequate marketing, and climate-related challenges continue to hold Uganda back,” Mr. Wekesa said. Mr. Herbert Byaruhanga, a seasoned tourism consultant, asserted that Uganda must rethink its strategy to achieve global leadership. “We need to learn from the tourism sectors of other economies, leverage our unique attractions, and position ours as a premier destination. Only then can we attract the numbers and investment required to grow the sector,” he said. He noted that the government needs to prioritize tourism in its budget, ensuring critical projects receive adequate funding. According to the available data, tourism significantly contributes to Uganda's economy. In 2023, it directly contributed 3.64% to GDP, employing 1.6 million people or 14.7% of the total workforce. The sector also generated significant revenue, with inbound visitors spending over Shs4.58 trillion on tourism services and domestic tourists spending approximately Shs2.97 trillion.

2025-05-23

“THERE ARE MORE JOBS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAN IN GOVERNMENT,” SAYS PRESIDENT MUSEVENI AS HE CONCLUDES PDM TOUR IN GREATER LUWERO

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon Ugandans to take the Parish Development Model (PDM) seriously because of its huge potential to get them out of poverty and generate more employment opportunities than the government can provide. According to the President, wealth creation at the grassroots level, particularly through commercial agriculture and small-scale enterprises, is the key to sustainable job creation in Uganda. “People waste a lot of time looking for government jobs. And the leaders also don’t explain very well that in a developing country, there are more jobs in the private sector than in the government because the government jobs are few. The government jobs (civil servants, police, the army, teachers, and health workers) are 480,000. The population of Uganda is 46 million. So, how can they be satisfied? The people who are doing the PDM era are already employing people,” President Museveni said. He made the remarks on Thursday, 22nd May, 2025, while addressing a rally at Wabinyonyi playground, Nakasongola Town Council, Nakasongola district, as he concluded his three-day performance assessment tour on the Parish Development Model and other wealth creation activities in Greater Luwero. President Museveni gave an example of the Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, who is employing 26 people on his 4-acre model farm, and one Nyakana Richard of Rwengaaju in Kabarole, who is employing 15 people, using 1.2 acres of land. “Uganda has 40 million acres of arable land. I was calculating that if we used only seven million acres like Nyakana has done, and each acre created 15 jobs, we would have 105 million jobs, more than all the people of Uganda. We would have so many jobs to the extent of importing workers,” the President noted. President Museveni added that the factories are already employing 1.2 million people, three times more than in the government. “You, the parents, need to advise your children that the government jobs are limited. You prepare yourself to work in commercial farms, factories, and service sectors or become a job creator in the commercial agricultural sector,” he stressed. The President hinged his address on six pillars, namely, peace, security, development, wealth, health, and education, as key to achieving socio-economic transformation, while emphasizing that they should be handled carefully through prioritization in the spirit of patriotism. “You people should continue supporting the NRM, which believes in unity for all Ugandans, and that’s one of the pillars of peace,” he said. President Museveni emphasized that whereas development (enkulakulana) reflected in social services such as roads, health centers, schools, and electricity is crucial, wealth creation and fighting household poverty should be everybody’s concern. “This road to Gulu was tarmacked soon after independence and has been tarmacked since that time for 60 years, but up to now, there are poor people residing around it. So, NRM does not want you to only talk about development but also household incomes,” he said, adding that it’s the reason the NRM, since 1995 has been supporting the wealth creation drive through initiatives such as Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, and now PDM. The President pointed out a few people who have listened and are doing well, such as Joseph Ijara of Serere, who uses two and a half acres to do poultry and livestock, earning him more than Shs 1 billion a year through selling eggs and milk, with profits amounting to over Shs800 million per year. Others are Hajjat Mariam Baiga in Ssekamuli, Bamunaanika in Luwero, Nalubowa Aida of Nakaseke, and a 64-year-old Tumusiime Deziranta who just started with Shs 1 million from PDM and is doing well. According to President Museveni, if the PDM is taken seriously, the parish SACCOs will reach an extent of owning banks worth Shs 1.6 billion in 10 years, and this will save them the burden of running to money lenders who charge them exorbitant profits. After two years, a PDM beneficiary who received Shs 1 million is expected to return it with an interest of Shs 120,000 only. “So please, don’t neglect this. I heard people blaming the Sacco leaders for prioritizing family members and friends. This is because you don’t go there. A parish Sacco is for everybody above 18 years in that parish, and when you meet, that’s how you elect your Sacco leaders. Be active and get involved,” President Museveni stressed. President Museveni also promised to set up a special fund for the fishermen after leaders appreciated him for protecting the lakes through the fisheries protection unit, which has streamlined fishing activities. The NRM Vice National Chairperson for central region, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi appreciated President Museveni for visiting greater Luwero. “We know the President has not been able to reach everybody, but his tour is a gesture of appreciation for what we are doing as the Greater Luwero in terms of wealth creation,” Hon. Kiwanda said. The Member of Parliament for Nakasongola County, Hon. Mutebi Noah Wanzala, and the area woman MP Zawedde Victorious called for a special land fund to compensate absentee landlords who are evicting tenants. The ceremony was also attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, NRM leaders, among others.

2025-05-22

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI DIRECTS MSC TO OFFER 8 PERCENT ANNUAL INTEREST LOANS TO MARKET VENDORS

Vendors from Kalerwe and St. Balikuddembe (Owino) markets are set to benefit from low-interest government funding, known as Katale loan. The business financing project targets low-income earners and will be disbursed through the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) at an interest rate of only eight per cent (8%) per annum. This move follows a directive from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni that aims at empowering traders. According to State House officials, the initiative is a pilot project scheduled to be rolled out to several other markets within the central region with the intent to empower more traders; this, however, will be dependent on the success rate in Kampala. This Presidential directive, the first of its kind, is set to benefit over 10,000 vendors in 24 sub-markets within Kalerwe alone and several others who ply their trade in Owino market. Speaking during a stakeholders' meeting at Fairway Hotel on Tuesday 20th May 2025, between government officials and market representatives from the two key markets, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, the Senior Presidential Advisor In-charge of Political Mobilization assured the vendors (traders) that the government has provided this financial option to save them from unscrupulous money lenders whose terms of service are very exploitative. “We have been told that access to finance is not progressing very well, yet we hear that so many moneylenders are profiting from these markets,” Mr. Byaruhanga noted. He also expressed concerns that moneylenders are unlawfully asking their clients to deposit national Identity cards, which was outlawed. “We have also been told that moneylenders are still taking your IDs as security to access loans/ financing,” he said. “We want you to be able to access loans with fewer hindrances and organise yourselves in small groups of five to ten vendors.” Mr. Byaruhanga also told the vendors that through MSC, the government will disburse these funds, which will be readily available to them to help boost their enterprises. According to Mr. Byaruhanga, this loan doesn't require security. “We need the group you belong to verify you as a borrower. The money is not deducted by MSC and will be deposited directly to your phone on your mobile money account.” He also told them that some vendors complicated the process for the government to improve their markets, as they had doubts about the government’s intentions to upgrade them. “Many of the vendors were worried about increments in rental fees if we cemented their markets, while others were concerned that if the government cemented their markets, their land might be taken,” he said. This prompted the government to only improve the markets that complied and left out those that rejected the move, which are now still operating in muddy conditions. The meeting was attended by over 200 people, including women traders and their leaders, Local Council chairpersons, market leaders and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials. Hajjat Madinah Nsereko, a State House official, thanked the mobilisation team for the commendable job which they executed under such short notice. Mr. Badru Lutalo, a market leader from Owino, said they have over 100 shelters, but each shelter has its leadership. He also appealed to the government to enable them to acquire an office for better coordination. The vendors generally expressed optimism and excitement about the Katale loan and mutually agreed to keep politics out of this new initiative for the betterment of all the market workers. On his part, Mr. Dalawusi Kibuuka, the vice chairperson of Ddembe market, which is located within Kalerwe market, pledged to sensitise his fellow vendors about the immense benefits of this new opportunity. Ms. Winnie Nalwoga from Nyanja zone (Owino market) appealed to KCCA not to complicate this process, saying that it could kill their morale and end up pushing them back to moneylenders. KCCA weighs in: Dr David Musunga, the deputy director of Production and Marketing at KCCA, responded to the issue raised by vendors about the hygiene of public toilets within the markets and said limited space is still a challenge, but pledged KCCA’s support. “We shall work together with MSC and provide the necessary support for better service delivery,” Mr. Musunga emphasised. Mr. Julius Kasirye, the manager of commercial services at KCCA, welcomed the vendors and commended them for their enterprising spirit, saying Kalerwe and Owino are key markets in Kampala, which is why they were chosen to pilot this project. “If this Katale loan fails in these two markets, it will be a setback for the other markets that are also in line to benefit from this opportunity,” Mr. Kasirye stated. How the Katale Loan will be accessed: According to MSC officials, the opportunity is open to adults aged between 18 to 75 years of age. They will be required to open bank accounts to simplify transactions. Ms. Lotah Arimureeba, a Client Relationship officer at MSC, said they are targeting members with small businesses, roadside vendors, those who operate stalls and low-income earners, especially women and single mothers. MSC is a government institution that was established in 2001 and provides loans to Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) after equipping them with financial literacy. “We have realised that sometimes market vendors find it hard to access funding. So, through the government, we are now able to provide you financing as MSC. The aim is for development,” she said, further clarifying that MSC is not politically affiliated with any party. She noted that vendors will be able to access the funding within two weeks after fulfilling the requirements, which include a photocopy of one's national ID and NIN. For one to benefit, they will only need endorsement from a market representative.

2025-05-21