President Yoweri Museveni has urged youth leaders across the country to work with the government to eliminate bystanders and spectators from the wealth-creation campaign.
“As more and more Ugandans wake up, the production of industrial and agricultural commodities will increase. This is why the NRM talks about Pan-Africanism, focusing on integrating Uganda into the bigger market of East Africa and Africa,” he said.
Collectively, Africa has a huge market of about 1.4 billion people, and according to the President, this is a market that Uganda must take advantage of to achieve greater prosperity.
Museveni made the call in a message delivered on his behalf by Vice President Jessica Alupo during the opening of the Annual National Council Youth Meeting in Kampala on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
He congratulated the youth leaders attending the annual council meeting on their election to lead young people across Uganda.
In 1993, the NRM government enacted the National Youth Act, which established youth councils from the grassroots to the national level. Through these structures, youth leaders can amplify the issues affecting young people at all levels of administration.
The youth councils also serve as channels for mobilising young people to engage in wealth and job creation programmes.
The President noted that the NRM government believes young people have the potential to make a significant contribution to national development if they are healthy, educated, skilled and well-grounded ideologically.
“As youth leaders, you must uphold the correct ideas and principles that will propel your country’s prosperity and stability. If you hold bankrupt ideas, for example, sectarianism, nepotism, gender chauvinism, racism and anarchism, then you become a liability to society,” Museveni said.
He reminded the youth to view their youthfulness as a biological advantage because it gives them greater vigour and energy to accomplish tasks.
Museveni urged young people to prioritise their health and strength to enable them to make meaningful contributions throughout their lives.
“Your families and your nation rely on you; thus, it is imperative that you do not treat your lives carelessly. You should refrain from consuming alcohol and engaging in promiscuous behaviour. It is essential to seek understanding and reverence for God,” he stated.
The President also encouraged the youth to participate in sports and exercise to maintain their fitness and uphold a disciplined lifestyle.
“Failing to adhere to these principles may lead to complications. Alcohol can weaken you. Engaging in promiscuity can expose you to STDs, including HIV/AIDS.
A lack of divine guidance may lead to corruption. Insufficient exercise can result in poor health and fitness. All these factors will hinder your capacity to contribute to your country or to make sacrifices for it, as we did in our struggle for democracy,” he emphasized.
Consequently, Museveni called upon the youth to keep their bodies, minds and spirits in optimal condition so that they can contribute effectively to Uganda, East Africa and the African continent.
