President Yoweri Museveni has advised Ugandans to shift their focus to farming to foster development, rather than vying for political slots.
While campaigning in Buyende District on Tuesday, President Museveni noted that the agricultural sector has a wide range of multiplier effects on Uganda’s economy.
“Some people think that jobs are in government, but there are very few jobs compared to the population. One can use farming to create work for development,” Mr Museveni said, referencing Mr Johnson Basangwa, a farmer who pulled out of the District LCV race to concentrate on agriculture.
According to Mr Museveni, Mr Basangwa’s decision to focus on poultry keeping has transformed his life and created jobs for nearly 300 people.
“Basangwa was among those people who wanted to kill each other because of the LC5 seat. When he joined farming, wealth came to him,” Mr Museveni said, noting that Mr Basangwa now owns 110,000 chickens which give him 2000 trays of eggs every day making him to earn Shs600 million monthly which one cannot get serving as district chairperson.
Mr Museveni expressed concern that some Ugandans concentrate on idling instead of utilising opportunities to fight poverty. He emphasised the NRM government’s efforts to create industrial parks to solve unemployment, but noted the population growth poses challenges.
“The population is growing overnight, and it’s a challenge for the industries to accommodate everyone. We need to think of ways to create jobs and wealth for our people,” Mr Museveni said.
The President urged Ugandans to take advantage of the prevailing peace to support him for their prosperity, promising improved social services, including health centers in every sub-county.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to improve social services. We will ensure that every sub-county has a health center III, and we will upgrade some to health center IV,” Mr Museveni said.
First Lady Janet Museveni called for national unity, saying, “My prayer is that the people of Uganda will always remember that all of us have the responsibility to protect unity.”
Budiope East MP Hashim Magogo requested the President to consider constructing an international football stadium in Busoga, citing the region’s contribution to the national football team.
“Your Excellency, our national football teams are doing well in international matches, but this region lacks a good stadium. I request you to construct one because there are many questions coming to me from these people,” Mr. Magogo said.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among pledged 98% votes for the President in Buyende District, promising to personally handle vote soliciting.
“We will ensure that the President gets 98 per cent votes in Buyende District. I will personally handle it,” Ms Among said.