President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed that the current problem in Uganda is not jobs but rather attitude and lack of vision among citizens who don't listen to the National Resistance Movement (NRM)'s message of wealth creation.
“Don't tell me about the lack of jobs, talk about lack of vision. The jobs are there,” he said.
The President made the remarks today during the International Labour Day celebrations held at Mukabura Grounds, Fort Portal City.
The International Labour Day, also known as May Day, is commemorated annually on May 1st to recognise the contributions and achievements of workers worldwide and promote workers’ rights and opportunities.
This year's celebrations ran under the theme: “Improving Access to Labour Justice, A Prerequisite for Increased Productivity”.
According to the President, since 1996, he has been preaching about wealth creation especially through commercial agriculture with the right enterprise selection and if Ugandans religiously followed the message, the challenge of jobs would not be an issue.
“In 1996, Uganda had somehow stabilised and in our manifesto, we mobilised people on what to do to get out of poverty. We advised you on the four-acre model. In the first acre grow coffee, on the second acre grow fruits, then the third acre grow pasture for zero grazing, on another acre grow food crops. Then in the backyard do poultry and piggery for those who are not Muslims. Those near the swamps set up fishponds,” he said.
“If people utilised the arable land of Uganda well to create wealth through agriculture all those children who go out to work for the Arabs would not be going there. Jobs are here,” the President insisted.
President Museveni further cited an example of model farmer, Mr. Richard Nyakana of Rwengaju who listened to his message, and he now makes Shs 180 million annually from dairy, poultry farming and value addition on 1 acre of land.
On the other hand, the President advised the labour union leaders that if they are to advocate for jobs, they should first ensure that they create an avenue for wealth creation.
“Jobs come from wealth; you cannot have jobs without wealth. Therefore, when you are talking, you people start with wealth creation. For more jobs, listen to the NRM guidelines where all the rural areas must be involved in the money economy through intensive and extensive agriculture. We need an organic approach to these problems. The problem here is not law but reality."
He also cautioned farmers with limited land to desist from practising extensive agriculture, saying the enterprise can only be profitable if it’s practised on large scale.
On the tea crisis in the Toor sub-region, President Museveni urged that from the start he knew that the crop has issues and that is why he never recommended it among the high value crops.
“In my four-acre model and seven activities, I have never talked about tea. I know the problems of tea that is why I never recommended it in my writings. I recommended coffee, fruits, dairy, food crops for the home, poultry for eggs, piggery and fish farming. This is what I recommended in writing.”
Furthermore, President Museveni noted that government officials and other stakeholders should work at ensuring low cost of electricity, transport, and low cost of money by putting more funds in the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) to lend manufacturers at a low interest rate. He said this will spur economic development in the country.
On the issue of markets which have been heinously taken over by the greedy rich people, President Museveni said they are going to investigate the matter and kick out the culprits from the facilities.
“The markets which we built have been taken over by the parasites and displaced the poor people. We are going to chase those corrupt people who use their powers to frustrate the poor people.”
The Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Hon. Esther Davinia Anyakun, on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, commended President Museveni for always sparing time to attend the Labour Day celebrations, explaining that the gesture demonstrates his commitment towards the welfare of workers in Uganda.
The Chairperson of the Federation of Uganda Employers, Eng. Silver Mugisha thanked his fellow employers for creating jobs for Ugandans, a factor that has enabled the latter to sustain and improve their livelihoods.
The event was also attended by the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the NRM 1st National Vice Chairperson, Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, among others.