KISOZI, GOMBA: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on young people to prioritise wealth creation through production and enterprise, urging them to shift their focus from leisure activities to sustainable economic engagement.
The President made the remarks during the second edition of the Jazz with Jjaja ranch event held at his farm in Kisozi, Gomba District. Addressing attendees, he emphasised that genuine progress for young people lies in producing goods and services, expanding markets, and maintaining ideological clarity.
Museveni said that being young or modern carries little meaning without the ability to correctly diagnose societal challenges. He stressed that a clear understanding of society’s needs is essential for meaningful transformation.
He underscored that prosperity begins with production, noting that markets are only relevant when there is something to sell. According to the President, young people should identify products or services they can supply not only within Uganda but also across East Africa and the wider African continent.
The President reiterated that sustainable wealth and job creation can only emerge from four key sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services such as hospitality, tourism, music and creative arts, and information and communication technology. He added that creative arts can be integrated into the education system to strengthen skills development.
Museveni highlighted several government funding initiatives aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, including Entandikwa introduced in 1996, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model launched in 2021 to decentralise resources to parish level. He noted that while funding exists, some young people have failed to actively monitor these programmes, leading to diversion of resources.
He also criticised what he described as misplaced activism, arguing that addressing corruption alone would not solve economic challenges without a strong foundation in production and market expansion.
The President attributed unemployment in part to limited market access and slow regional integration. He called for stronger trade links within East Africa and improved infrastructure to facilitate movement of goods, citing the need to upgrade routes such as the road connecting Kasese to Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Museveni challenged young Africans who undervalue local products or seek opportunities abroad under difficult conditions, attributing such trends to ideological confusion. He encouraged pride in African production and participation in local economic growth.
Reflecting on his youth, Museveni recounted how at the age of 22 he invested his first salary as a teacher in land in Rwakitura rather than spending it on leisure, describing the decision as a foundation for long-term wealth.
He further discouraged excessive attention to European football clubs, urging young people to focus instead on health, productivity and activities that generate income.
While acknowledging that government funding may not always be sufficient, the President encouraged youth to organise collectively and advocate for prioritisation of productive sectors.
