Museveni to Youths: I am proud that the NRM government has delivered on its core plan of peace
International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12, following a 1999 UN resolution, to recognize the role of young people in development.
President Yoweri Museveni, addressing a large gathering of young people at this year’s International Youth Day celebrations in Masindi District, asserted his pride in the NRM government’s success in establishing a “firm” foundation of peace, which he described as crucial for the nation’s development.
He urged the youth to capitalize on this stability while actively confronting pervasive threats like corruption and crime.
“Some people confuse pledges with plans. The major plan of the NRM government is peace and that one is firm. Nobody can bring war here again,” the President declared, emphasizing that this sustained peace provides an unwavering base for progress.
Museveni implored the youths to actively engage in wealth creation initiatives and vigorously defend government programs, specifically citing the Parish Development Model (PDM). He issued a stern warning against corruption within the PDM, empowering the young generation to be vigilant.
“The PDM money is your money. Defend it? If thieves steal it, they can only succeed with your silence. We send the money from the centre, but if you do not monitor it, it will be stolen by your own people. Don’t just complain. You have the power to demand accountability,” he charged, placing responsibility directly on the beneficiaries.
On public health, the President attributed Uganda’s burgeoning young population to successful immunization campaigns that have dramatically reduced child mortality. However, he expressed deep concern over the persistent theft of drugs from government health centres.
“Our children are alive because of immunization. But the drugs for treatment are being stolen not in Congo or South Sudan, but here in Uganda. That means it is you, the citizens, who must take responsibility and stop this theft,” Museveni stated, calling for civic responsibility.
The President reiterated that the fight against poverty must be anchored in commercial agriculture, illustrating with examples of model farmers turning small plots into lucrative ventures.
He also announced plans for an industrial park in Hoima, near the Karuma Dam, highlighting existing successes like Kinyara Sugar, which employs over 20,000, as evidence of the manufacturing sector’s potential to absorb young labour. He further encouraged embracing tourism and digital technology as critical economic enablers.
He cautioned the young generation not to confuse government’s mass-impact ‘plans’ with political ‘pledges,’ stressing the importance of focusing on initiatives designed to reach the majority.
“Plans are for the masses – agriculture, manufacturing, services, health and PDM. Pledges are small additions. Concentrate on the plans! That is how we shall move Uganda forward together,” he concluded.
Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, echoed the President’s sentiments, hailing the country’s young people as a pivotal force for socio-economic transformation.
She called for deliberate investment in digital skilling, innovation, and partnerships, noting how mobile phones have become vital business tools, fostering new employment opportunities even in rural areas.
Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, revealed that nearly 776,000 young people have benefited from government programs, with Shs 1.2 trillion invested in youth empowerment, and 30% of enterprise funds specifically reserved for them.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Zulu Leonard, commended the creativity and resilience of Ugandan youths, assuring them of the UN’s continued partnership in powering ‘Vision 2040.’
Representing the European Union, Ambassador Frederieke Quispel of the Netherlands lauded Uganda’s young population as a “blessing” and a unique advantage in a world grappling with aging demographics.
