PRESIDENT MUSEVENI TO INTRODUCE NEW SKILLING COURSES AT THE PRESIDENTIAL INDUSTRIAL HUBS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appreciated the work done by the presidential skilling Industrial hubs spread across the country for their role in combating unemployment by equipping youth with practical skills for self-employment and job creation. The President, who is in the Lango subregion on a regional tour to assess the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation programs, today commissioned the Lango Presidential Skilling Hub in Ayere Cell, Barapwo Ward, Lira West Division, Lira District, and pledged to expand the skilling courses offered in the skilling hubs across the country. “I’m glad that you, the parents, have responded very well to the initiative of training these young people for free. We are going to expand the skills here to include motor mechanics, plumbing and electric installation so that they (the children) have a bigger base of skills,” H.E. Museveni said. Currently, the 19 Presidential Industrial Hubs across various regions under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Youth are focusing on practical fields such as building and construction, carpentry, welding, hairdressing, baking, tailoring & fashion design, leatherwork, and agriculture with an aim to equip over 12,000 youths annually. President Museveni was happy to learn that the new curriculum introduced by the Ministry of Education has an element of practical studies that were taught to them even during colonial times. “So please, if you appreciate what is happening here, go and spread it out in the primary schools and secondary schools,” he added. However, President Museveni continued to express concern over schools that continue to undermine the objectives of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs, which were established to provide free education to all Ugandan children. He says the imposition of unnecessary charges in government schools is a contributor to high dropout rates among students. “But I’m also not happy because we had started this effort in 1996 when we introduced UPE and later USE. We wanted the children of the poor to study free in government schools, but you did not implement it. You went on introducing charges in schools. As a consequence, many children went on dropping out of schools. That mistake of blocking children from education must be stopped,” H.E. Museveni stated. “Now here I’m providing free education for these children and yet what I’m doing here is much more expensive than it would have been if you implemented UPE and USE.” A primary school per parish and then a secondary school per sub county, according to President Museveni were meant to accommodate children who study from home to cut on the costs of feeding and accommodation where the government would concentrate on paying teachers, putting up the infrastructure and equipping them with text books and laboratory needs. The President also promised to support children who have been skilled through their SACCOs established per district such that they can borrow and create wealth after acquiring skills. He gave Shs 30 million to the three skilled finalists who shared their testimonies and promised another Shs30 million to the SACCO of the regional chairpersons. The Vice President of Uganda, H.E Jessica Alupo welcomed President Museveni and the First Lady also Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni to Lango and re-affirm the NRM’s vision of securing the future of all Ugandans through wealth creation and shared prosperity, while emphasising the priority areas which include; creating wealth and jobs, delivering quality education, provision of health and safe water of Ugandans, ensuring Justice and equity, protecting life and property for all Ugandans and achieving economic and political integration. “Your Excellency, there’s no doubt that the NRM under your leadership is honoring the promises of the people of Uganda,” she said, adding that significant progress has been made in ensuring that all Ugandans join the money economy through various inclusive government programs such as, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Program, the GROW project for women entrepreneurs, and now the Parish Development Model. The Zonal chairperson of the Lango regional Presidential Skilling hub, Mr. George Abudul, informed the President that the hub is shared equally among the 11 administrative units of Lango sub region. A total of 243 youths, 30 of whom come from the ghetto areas, are recruited every 6 months with each district sending 21 children for training and to date a total of 910 youths, 453 of whom are female, have been trained. “Since the majority of the jobs are in the private sector and since our economy is private sector led, I would like to thank you for the vision of establishing the presidential skills hubs in all the zones of this country. Not only to close the skills gaps but also to enable our young people to acquire skills and competencies for the world of work. This is in line with your vision of jobs and wealth creation,” he said. He requested President Museveni to increase the number of trainees per intake from 240 to at least 500, given the ever-increasing need and demand for skilling. The ceremony was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Vice Chancellor of Lira University, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng, RDCs from the region, the LC5 Chairpersons, district NRM chairpersons, CAOs, District security officers, the youth leadership, among others.

2025-01-30

“USE PREVAILING PEACE TO CREATE WEALTH” - PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES PEOPLE OF LANGO

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the people of the Lango subregion to use the prevailing peace in the region to create wealth and chase poverty out of their homes. According to the President, who is in the region to assess the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM), the prevailing peace is a fundamental driver of wealth creation in Uganda through enabling investment, business growth, and job creation. “When you are planning public affairs, first of all, think about peace. How can we bring and maintain peace? And anybody who's trying to disturb peace, don’t allow them because peace is an infrastructure for everything. You can get a very rich country like Congo, always very rich with a lot of minerals and so on, but you can see what is happening there; it cannot develop,” H.E. Museveni said. The President made the remarks on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, while addressing leaders from the Lango sub-region at Ikwera Boma play ground in Aduku town council, Kwania North, Kwania district. The Lango sub-region, which includes districts such as Lira, Apac, Oyam, Kole, Dokolo, Amolatar, Alebtong, Otuke, and Kwania, is now on a path of development, with improvements in various sectors after successful recovery from the devastating effects of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency and other conflicts that affected the region. President Museveni reassured the leaders of further improving the infrastructure in the region, such as roads connecting the different parts of the region to foster wealth creation. He mentioned the Lira-Kamdini Road, spanning 66.5 kilometers, which is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation, and the construction of the road connecting Ochero, Amolatar to Namasale, and Dokolo. “But I want you to be systematic and not to do things at once. We can actually make mistakes because we have diverted more than Shs. 1 trillion to PDM. In five years, you’re talking of seven trillion shillings, which would work on all the roads in Uganda. All those roads you’re talking about, we would finish them in five years. But Apio, who bought sheep to create wealth, would not have bought them,” the President noted, while cautioning the people not to rush the government into doing everything at once. “You should stop confusing the driver. I’m the driver of the bus. I know where to stop and where to slow down. If I’m driving and I slow down and you shout at me for slowing down, you’re going to make me collide. We may have slowed down on the roads, but it's because we are dealing with PDM. So please be guided by flexibility. This is how you succeed,” he added. In the same vein, President Museveni called upon the people of Lango to differentiate between development, which is for all Ugandans, and wealth creation, for which, without it, poverty remains in their homes. He said even if the government provided roads, water, electricity, health centers, and schools, and people don’t change their mindset to join commercial production, they will remain poor. Giving examples of the farmers he has visited in the Lango subregion, the President was happy to learn that people in the countryside are embracing the PDM initiative to get out of poverty. “Yesterday I visited a young boy called Jowel Okello in Amolatar. He's an engineer, but he has gone into farming, and he has got a good farm there with goats and sheep, and he wants to add. So, Jowel Okello, instead of being a job seeker, he has created money, but he has also created jobs—38 of them,” H.E. Museveni said, noting that even those that have not benefited are optimistic and looking forward to being supported. “When I was coming here, I stopped at a swamp, about four kilometres from here, and some villagers there came to join me; they told me that poverty is very serious here. Then I said to them, Have you heard about PDM? They said yes, but the ones that have benefited are on the other side. For us, we shall get the next time. I was very happy with that,” he added, while expressing confidence in the capacity of the PDM to create more jobs for Ugandans than in the other different sectors of the government, such as teaching, police, army, and healthcare. “The population of Uganda is now 46 million. So, this job you are talking about is actually 1% of the whole population. So, you cannot solve the problem of employment through the government. It is the creation of new jobs, which is by individuals, companies, cooperatives, sometimes by the government, through some parastatals, that will create jobs,” the President emphasised. “The few families I have visited, you can see this PDM is going to change our people. Concentrate on it, because many of the people are able to move on their own.” About the fishing problem on the lakes, the President promised to return in May and sort out the matter, and in his view, the activity should be left to the indigenous people involved in fishing, who should also be entrusted to protect the lake for Ugandans. “I brought in the army because the fish was disappearing. And of course, the army also, when they came, also had their own problems. You know, and so on. We are going to deal with them on that but still, the original problem was the original fishermen. If those were there, then the soldiers would never have come there. So therefore, I want you to think about this. I want us to have another meeting in May so that we agree on who should be supported to be on the lake and why they must be allowed,” President Museveni clarified. About politics, President Museveni cautioned the people of the Lango subregion against getting involved in the bad politics of identity. The Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, thanked President Museveni, who is also the National Chairman of the party, and the First Lady Maama Janet Museveni for visiting the Lango subregion. He also thanked the people of Lango for loving NRM and President Museveni, which he said was well demonstrated in the long memorandum delivered on behalf of the people of Lango by Hon. Judith Alyek , which highlighted the achievements of NRM in the region. “Your Excellency. We thank you so much for giving your all to this country and for sacrificing everything about you for the country. You have taught us so many things. We learn through your works; we learn through your actions, and we learn through your body gestures. We have learned from you. We have loved you. You have taught us how to prioritize things. You have taught us how to plan for the masses. We call you a teacher. We call you a leader, a mentor. You have not rested from making sure that all Ugandans are out of poverty. You have fought all the wars. You have liberated this country and brought peace. You have decentralized governance. You have promoted infrastructure and human resources, but still you are not satisfied because our people are still poor. You have launched yet another front to fight poverty; to this we thank you so much,” Rt. Hon. Todwong said. On behalf of the National Resistance Party, he re-echoed the request of the people of Lango and from all over the country to request President Museveni to offer himself for re-election as President in the upcoming 2026 general elections. Earlier, Hon. Judith Alyek, the Chairperson Lango Parliamentary Group and Kole Woman MP expressed gratitude to the President for the peace and all the efforts to get Ugandans out of poverty. “Your Excellency Lango subregion that was once the epicentre of insurgencies during the LRA period has now achieved total peace and security, which has formed a foundation for socio- economic development,” Hon. Alyek said, while extending gratitude for the strides made over the past years in the areas of education, several infrastructure developments, and the support in constructing the cultural chiefdom headquarters, which is a key ingredient in the preservation and promotion of culture and rich heritage. She also highlighted areas where additional support is crucial to further the development, such as the construction of Lira Airport, for which land has been secured, the construction of national roads and bridges, and the establishment of a regional driving license issuance center, among other requests. Earlier, the meeting was treated to presentations from several officials, such as Hon. Dennis Galabuzi Ssozi, the National Coordinator of the Parish Development Model; Hon. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo, Minister of State for Microfinance, who presented on the state of Emyooga in the region; and Hon. Musa Ecweru on the status of the road infrastructure in the Lango region. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Maama Janet K. Museveni, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Dennis Obua, ministers, Members of Parliament, security chiefs, and religious leaders.

2025-01-29

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES CONSTRUCTION OF AKII-BUA OLYMPIC STADIUM

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni have today performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City. The construction of the US$ 129 million state-of-the-art facility is to be undertaken by an Egyptian firm SAMCO National Construction Company and Khater Sports and is projected to take a record period of 20 months to complete. President Museveni used the occasion to explain the cause of the delay in the construction of the Stadium while at the same time castigating some political actors who are spreading lies tying the upcoming Presidential and general elections to the project. “No Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium, no votes for NRM. So please we are tired of lies. Elections based on lies are not good elections, they should be based on the truth. If you have elections based on lies then you are killing your country,” President Museveni warned. President Museveni explained that the government had to prioritize the implementation of the competing programmes on a small resource envelope. He said the government did not deliberately abandon sports or the construction of stadiums but had to first deal with the basic necessities in the country like peace, infrastructure, education and health, among others. “Therefore, the delay of the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium was not because we did not care, it was because we had to survive first; peace, food, education, health and infrastructure, among others,” he said. “When some people try to say, Oh, this government is useless, they have forgotten sports- I am a sportsman myself, but I couldn’t start with sports when there was no peace or food in the country. It is not that we didn’t know about sports but one by one makes a bundle,” President Museveni explained. He also cautioned the wanainchi against some political actors who claim to be able to do everything at once and always to treat them as liars. President Museveni also informed the audience that the day was about celebrating the sports legend John Akii-Bua and also to fulfill the commitment of co-hosting the AFCON tournament with the sister East African countries of Kenya and Tanzania. He stressed that Uganda is to fast track the construction of the stadium as AFCON is an international event, adding that Uganda will not fail to do her part. “This time we agreed with other East Africans- Kenya and Tanzania to host the Afcon. Now that we have committed with other East Africans, we must do the 3 stadiums the AFCON people want. We have Namboole, Nakivubo and initially Akii-Bua stadium,” he elaborated. President Museveni further explained that the AFCON group brought in other conditions of having an International Airport near the stadium leading to Hoima stadium coming on board because of Kabalega International Airport. President Museveni assured the nation that the government will construct other smaller stadiums regionally in a phased manner. Maama Janet praised God for the event, describing it as a new chapter in the sports sub-sector. She commended President Museveni for supporting sports in the country. “Thank you, Mr. President, for always finding time in your busy schedule to be part of our sports events and for your commitment to the development of Sports in the nation,” she said. She additionally acknowledged the guidance the President has offered to the young generation of the country. “You have guided us; you have cheered our young people on. Some of them look up to you as their coach and cheerleader. We cannot thank you enough,” the First Lady said. Maama Janet also noted that the delay of the construction of Akii-Bua stadium was due to several competing demands but strongly believed that God's timing is the best as the long-awaited event finally took place. She further announced the ongoing construction of Hoima City Stadium, the renovation of Mandela stadium and plans to undertake the second phase of works at the stadium to ensure its compliance with the International Standards in preparation for AFCON. “The beauty of the investment is that all these facilities will bridge the gap in sports infrastructure even at community level because they will serve beyond the AFCON tournament,” she observed. She further announced other government’s commitments like the construction of Buhinga, Kakyeka stadiums and Lugogo Sports complex among others, pointing out that all the investments are capital intensive in nature and will be handled in a phased manner. The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng saluted President Museveni and the First Lady for gracing the event. She also thanked the people of Lira City and beyond for turning up in large numbers on a short notice. She assured the President and Maama Janet that the people of Lango love sports and have generated several local football clubs that are doing very well in the sub-region, having some of their players in the country’s big teams. The function was also attended by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon. Betty Amongi and the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Omona. Others who attended included the former Egyptian Diplomat in Kampala Ambassador Mohamed El- Hamzani and the SAMCO project Manager Mohamed Nazih.

2025-01-29

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI IMPRESSED BY PROGRESSIVE IMPACT OF PDM IN LIRA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady, also the Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni were on Tuesday 28th January 2025 hosted at the home of Mrs. Vicky Apio in Alingiri village, Amach town council, Lira District. Mrs. Apio is one the beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative. President Museveni who is on a Zonal tour to assess the progress of the PDM program and popularize wealth creation drive in Lango Sub-region, noted that the PDM program was making a progressive impact on many parts of the country including Lira District. He particularly praised Mrs. Apio for her resilience and utilising the PDM money well to expand her farming project. “I want to thank Vicky Apio for waking up from sleep. Apio is moving very well, she started by growing maize, rearing sheep and bought a plot then continues to grow maize. So you, the production officers of the district, need to come in and consolidate these people. You heard what Apio was telling you that one challenge she is faced with is that of water. How do you solve the problem of water?” he inquired. President Museveni also offered financial support to Mrs. Apio to expand her projects. He also contributed a tricycle for transportation as well as pledged to provide her with a borehole to deal with the challenge of water. The President further recognized 10 successful farmers, who are PDM beneficiaries from Erute South Constituency for their hard work and gave them Shs1 million each. Maama Janet was equally delighted to note that the PDM program is bearing fruits in Uganda including the Lango sub-region where it is now progressing into a robust family unifying factor. “I am honored to be in this village and to see what is happening in the new PDM families. In all the places we stopped today, what I admire most is what the PDM is planting in villages, the culture of a man and his wife working together. While women in the past were really being overlooked and were just walked over and not given any respect. Now it is good to see women holding hands with their husbands and working together in the family,” she said. The First Lady also noted that this culture will ultimately lift up the children in their families, village communities and will subsequently consolidate the unity of the nation. Maama Janet, however, reminded women not to leave out men in the financial projects but to work together as a team. On her part, the 37-year-old mother of 6 expressed her profound gratitude to President Museveni for the PDM program that she affirmed has pulled her out of poverty. Mrs. Apio, flanked by her husband Ojok Peter Nelson together with their 6 children and 2 foster ones, recounted her journey that saw her move from abject poverty to improved livelihood. “Before receiving PDM funds, life was extremely difficult. I was struggling with the basic needs in the family. Children dropped out of school due to lack of school fees. Life later turned round for the better when I heard President Museveni talking on Radio about PDM funds and I also got the money from our Banya-Amach Town Council SACCO. I planted 3 acres of maize, harvested 45 bags, and sold 40. I earned Shs 2.8 million. I used Shs1 million to buy 10 sheep, saved Shs1 million for the next planting season and shs. 800,000 I used it to pay school fees,” she narrated. “In 2024 I again planted maize, harvested 50 bags, and earned Shs4 million. I used Shs2.7 million to buy a plot of land at Amach Town Council and I have saved Shs1 million for planting more maize this season,” she said. Mrs. Apio affirmed that the PDM program has not only changed her life and that of her family members for the better but has also broadened her thinking. She is planning to start coffee and dairy farming as well as to add value to her maize. She also implored Ugandans not to take the wealth creation gospel of President Museveni for granted but to embrace it wholeheartedly. “I appreciate President Museveni for empowering women, and I thank him for the PDM program,” she said. The event was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, among other leaders.

2025-01-29

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS NEW TEMBO STEELS PLANT IN IGANGA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today presided over the commissioning of a new Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant at Tembo Steels in Kasolo Village, Bulamagi Sub-County, Iganga District. The new facility marks a major milestone in Uganda’s industrialization journey, with Tembo Steels reaffirming its position as a key player in the country’s steel industry. Established in 2004, Tembo Steels has grown into a major manufacturing hub, producing steel, oxygen cylinders, and nitrogen. The company sources its raw materials locally, significantly contributing to Uganda’s economy and creating over one million jobs for Ugandans. During his remarks, President Museveni commended the Chairman of Tembo Industries for the transformative impact the company has had on Uganda’s economy. He emphasized the importance of locally integrated industries, stating that such initiatives save the country from the “hemorrhage of resources.” He further noted Uganda’s rich iron ore reserves, particularly in Kabale, as a vital resource for the steel industry. “The government is committed to ensuring affordable electricity for manufacturers, targeting a rate of 5 cents per unit. This will boost industrial productivity and competitiveness,” President Museveni said. Hon. Lukia Nakadama, the Third Deputy Prime Minister, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for prioritizing development in the Busoga sub-region. She highlighted the new plant as a beacon of hope for economic growth in the area. Mr. Manish, the General Manager of Tembo Steels, hailed the launch of the second plant as a significant achievement. “This milestone represents our unwavering commitment to growing Uganda’s economy. With the addition of this plant, we anticipate a substantial boost to the country’s industrial output,” he said. The event was attended by a number of high-profile figures, including government ministers, members of parliament, religious leaders, investors, and local officials.

2025-01-26

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES MUBENDE RESIDENTS TO PRIORITIZE HOMESTEAD INCOME

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on the people of Mubende District to prioritize generating homestead income, emphasizing that other developments, such as tarmac roads and electricity, will follow. He made the remarks today during the 39th anniversary celebration of the NRM/A liberation struggle, held under the theme, “Salutations to Those Who Re-Sanctified Our Homeland”, at Mubende National Teachers’ College, Mubende District. President Museveni was in the company of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni. He assured the people of Mubende that poverty eradication is achievable through embracing government programs designed to improve livelihoods. He highlighted the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a key initiative to empower communities, explaining that the funds provided at the Parish level serve as capital to uplift households economically. The President also promised that beneficiaries of PDM funds will not incur bank charges, as the government will cover those costs. On the other hand, President Museveni reminded leaders of their responsibility to understand the needs of their communities, urging them to take note of the number of homesteads in their respective villages. He stressed the importance of distinguishing between development and wealth creation, pointing out that infrastructure such as tarmac roads, electricity, and healthcare services are vital but cannot directly lift people out of poverty. Reflecting on Uganda’s economic journey, the President acknowledged the role of Mubende, Luweero, and Rwenzori in supporting the liberation struggle from 1981 to 1986. He noted that, post-independence, only 9% of Ugandans were engaged in the money economy, with the rest relying on subsistence farming. This trend was exacerbated during Idi Amin’s regime. However, he explained that significant progress has been made since then, with Uganda now advancing into the money economy and even venturing into automobile manufacturing, such as the Kiira Motors in Jinja. The President shared that in 2013, only 32% of Ugandans were participating in the money economy. To address this, Operation Wealth Creation was introduced to provide seedlings, livestock, and other resources to communities. However, after challenges arose, the government shifted its focus to the PDM, which allocates UGX 100 million annually to every parish. Beneficiaries receive loans to engage in income-generating activities, such as the four-acre farming model, which includes coffee, fruits, pasture for dairy cattle, food crops, and backyard projects like poultry or piggery. President Museveni shared testimonies from successful PDM beneficiaries, including Mr. Ijara Martin from Serere, who demonstrated how the program is transforming lives. He reiterated that PDM is tailored to benefit households with small pieces of land and encouraged residents to maximize its opportunities. Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, the Minister for the Presidency, praised President Museveni’s leadership, highlighting his patience and management skills as key to the success of the liberation struggle and the country’s development. At the same event, 61 persons were awarded for their exceptional contribution towards the development of Uganda. The commemoration was attended by several dignitaries, including the Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister, Rt.Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, NRM First National Vice Chairman Alhaji Moses Kigongo, NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, ministers, Members of Parliament, local and religious leaders. This celebration of the NRM/A anniversary not only marked 39 years of liberation but also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity for all Ugandans.

2025-01-26