Museveni Urges Kampala, Wakiso Residents to Prioritise Wealth Creation Over Infrastructure

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged residents of Wakiso and Kampala not to be distracted by visible signs of development, such as roads, electricity, schools, and factories, but to focus on individual efforts toward wealth creation as the true measure of transformation.

Speaking at a public rally at Wampewo Community Playground in Wakiso District on Monday, July 7, 2025, the President acknowledged the substantial infrastructural improvements in the area but emphasized that sustainable change begins at the household level. He encouraged residents to engage in income-generating activities as a means of eradicating poverty.

“If you are living in Kampala and don’t want to work in a factory, then do something productive that others can buy. These factory workers consume milk, meat, food, and other products. So, either work in the factories or supply them. That’s why we have been sending you money all these years. Don’t be diverted by the so-called tarmac roads. These developments benefit all of us, but personal wealth creation is your responsibility,” the President said.

He stressed the importance of utilizing available resources to create wealth, reminding citizens that transformation starts with individual initiative.

The Wampewo rally marked the launch of President Museveni’s wealth creation and Parish Development Model (PDM) assessment tour in Wakiso District, which, according to the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Population Census, is home to over 3.4 million people spread across Entebbe, Nansana, Kira, Makindye-Ssabagabo, and Wakiso Rural.

The President’s first day included visits to Kagoma Skilling Metal Fabricators in Nansana Municipality, a meeting with carpenters and metal fabricators in Kawanda, and a stopover at the farm of Isaac Luzze, a PDM beneficiary involved in piggery and poultry in Gombe Division. These visits aimed to inspire local communities with real-life examples of productive enterprises.

Reflecting on Uganda’s development since 1986, Museveni recalled the country’s past struggles with shortages of basic goods like paraffin, salt, sugar, and clothing—contrasting it with today’s abundance made possible through local manufacturing.

“I drove from Kampala to Migadde and back—an area I know inch by inch. It used to be all farms, banana plantations, and forests. Now it’s filled with factories and shopping centers. That didn’t happen by accident,” he said.

The President highlighted the country’s job creation progress, revealing that Ugandan factories now employ 1.2 million people—three times more than the 480,000 employed in the public sector. He added that agriculture has created 3.6 million jobs, while the services sector, including transport and hospitality, has generated 5 million.

He noted that the government is now working to ensure factory workers receive better pay by lowering business costs.

“We are improving railway lines from Kenya and Tanzania to reduce transport costs. Electricity tariffs for factories have also been lowered. Once costs are down, we shall compel factories to pay workers better,” he said.

President Museveni also criticized opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), accusing them of neglecting their constituents.

“When elections come, chase away these opposition people. They’re betrayers who don’t care about you. You’re praising Gen. Ddamulira and Major Kuteesa, but ask yourself—what were your MPs doing? They just collect salaries without following up on your issues. Why elect such people?” he asked.

Quoting a Ganda proverb, he added: “Omuggo oguli ku muliraano tegugoba ngo (The stick next door cannot chase a tiger in your home). I’m here to support you, but I cannot be everywhere. You need local leaders who care.”

He blamed the slow progress on youth issues on misinformation and lack of political will, urging young people to take full advantage of government programs like the PDM.

“The youth problem should have been solved already if people were paying attention. We created the structures, but they’re not being used effectively,” he noted.

PDM Progress in Wakiso

Under the Parish Development Model, Wakiso District has so far received UGX 30.7 billion, which has been disbursed to 31,952 households across eight constituencies, 27 sub-counties, 147 parishes, and 363 villages. The program aims to transition households from subsistence to market-oriented production.

Despite these efforts, the President expressed concern about poor follow-up by local leaders and communities.

“Since 1996, we have invested in wealth creation—starting with NAADS, then Operation Wealth Creation, and now the PDM. But the challenge is people are not following up on these programs,” he said.

President Museveni’s wealth creation tour in Wakiso District continues through Friday.