Museveni urges Mubende residents to focus on homestead income

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on the people of Mubende District to prioritize generating income at the household level, assuring them that infrastructure developments such as roads and electricity will follow in due course.

Speaking at the 39th-anniversary celebration of the NRM/A liberation struggle, held at Mubende National Teachers’ College under the theme “Salutations to Those Who Re-Sanctified Our Homeland,” Museveni, accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni, emphasized the need for economic empowerment at the grassroots.

The President highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to poverty eradication, urging residents to embrace initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM).

He described the PDM as a cornerstone for economic transformation, explaining, “The funds provided at the parish level serve as capital to uplift households economically.” He also reassured beneficiaries that the government would cover all bank charges on PDM funds to ease access.

Museveni tasked local leaders to better understand and address their communities’ needs, urging them to assess the number of homesteads in their villages and actively combat poverty.

“Development and wealth creation are different,” the President remarked, explaining that while infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and healthcare are vital, they do not directly eliminate poverty.

Reflecting on Uganda’s economic history, Museveni acknowledged Mubende, Luweero, and Rwenzori’s pivotal roles during the 1981-1986 liberation struggle. He also noted the economic challenges of post-independence Uganda, when only 9% of the population participated in the money economy, with most relying on subsistence farming, a situation worsened under Idi Amin’s regime.

“Today, Uganda has made significant progress,” Museveni said, pointing to increased participation in the money economy and innovations such as Kiira Motors’ manufacturing in Jinja.

He recalled that in 2013, just 32% of Ugandans were involved in the money economy, prompting the government to launch Operation Wealth Creation. This initiative provided seedlings and livestock to boost income. However, recognizing its limitations, the government introduced PDM, which allocates UGX 100 million annually to each parish to enable households to engage in income-generating activities.

The President also highlighted the success of the four-acre farming model, which integrates coffee, fruits, dairy pastures, food crops, and backyard projects like poultry and piggery. “This model is transforming the lives of small landholders,” Museveni said, emphasizing its role in improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.