KOLOLO, Kampala: The Vice President, Jessica Alupo, has urged children of members of the armed forces to embrace government wealth creation programs such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Fund, and Presidential Skilling Hubs to ensure prosperity for all.
She explained that if every household engages in an income-generating activity, the country will be able to achieve one of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s main goals of socio-economic transformation.
Alupo made the remarks while representing Yoweri Museveni during a thanksgiving ceremony organized by children whose parents serve in the Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda People’s Defence Forces. The event was held in honour of the NRM’s victory in the January general elections.
The ceremony marked a historic milestone, being the first time in Uganda’s history that children of fallen heroes, veterans, and serving members of the armed forces convened under a single national platform to give thanks, affirm loyalty, and express their commitment to national service and continuity.
Alupo thanked God for granting the NRM victory, noting that the campaigns and elections were peaceful. She said it was fitting to give thanks for maintaining Uganda’s stability, prosperity, and development under the NRM’s leadership.
She reminded the children that the NRM fought to establish democracy, giving citizens the power to choose their leaders peacefully and fairly. “It is the people who choose who governs them, from local to national levels. This explains why Uganda has remained stable and strong,” she said.
The Vice President added that peace and stability have led to increased agricultural and industrial production. “Shops and markets across the country are well stocked. Uganda now has surplus production of maize, sugar, milk, bananas, and eggs,” she noted.
However, she acknowledged that poverty still exists among about 33% of households that remain outside the money economy. She emphasized that solutions are available through programs such as PDM, Emyooga, and other government initiatives aimed at economic inclusion.
Alupo also highlighted improvements in infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and ICT, noting that these developments lower the cost of doing business and attract investment.
She stressed that while development is important, it must translate into jobs and household wealth to be meaningful.
Meanwhile, Winnie Lokech, President of the United Children of the Armed Forces Network (UCAFNET), said the gathering signified the coming of age of a generation raised in sacrifice, discipline, and patriotism.
“It reflects a deliberate transition from remembrance to responsibility, and from inheritance of sacrifice to stewardship of peace,” she said.
Lokech added that while leaders may come and go, ideology endures. She noted that this shared ideology continues to unite and guide children of the armed forces in serving the nation.
She said UCAFNET, which represents over 130,000 children of fallen heroes, veterans, and serving personnel, had presented several proposals to the President. These include prioritizing children of armed forces in industrial hubs and skilling programs, establishing a presidential scholarship and education endowment fund, strengthening UCAFNET SACCOs, creating a directorate under the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and expanding opportunities for national service and civic leadership.
Lokech emphasized the need for deliberate inclusion of children of soldiers in governance and leadership development to sustain peace through informed participation.
