By Mulengera Reporters
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni shared a personal and inspiring story at his rally in Butebo, revealing how he first met State Minister for Transport, Fred Byamukama, and how the minister’s journey into commercial farming turned him into a successful entrepreneur and a job creator.
In his speech, Museveni highlighted the transformation that commercial agriculture has brought to Uganda, emphasizing wealth creation, job generation, and the vital role of the private sector in driving the country’s economy.
The rally began with the President recounting a memorable moment from his early relationship with Byamukama.
According to Museveni, Byamukama’s father, a loyal supporter of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), brought his son to the President when Byamukama was first elected as a Member of Parliament four years ago.
The father requested that Museveni offer his son advice on how to succeed.
“I said to him, ‘Are you out of your mind?’” Museveni recalled with a smile. “I told him, ‘What I have been telling Ugandans for the last 40 years: you must create wealth, not just rely on government jobs.’”
Despite his initial surprise at the request, Museveni took the opportunity to mentor Byamukama on the principles of self-reliance and the importance of commercial agriculture. The President emphasized that while government jobs are limited, the private sector and agriculture offer immense opportunities for wealth generation.
This guidance, Museveni said, set Byamukama on a path to prosperity, transforming him from a politician into a successful businessman.
Byamukama’s Agricultural Journey
Museveni then spoke in detail about Byamukama’s agricultural ventures, which have flourished since the minister embraced the advice given by the President.
He revealed that Byamukama has diversified his farm to include a range of activities: poultry for egg production, dairy farming with zero-grazing cows, piggery, and crop farming, including coffee and bananas.
“Byamukama is now earning 180 million shillings a month just from his eggs alone,” Museveni proudly announced. “After deducting costs, he is left with 55 million shillings in profit every month, which translates to over 700 million shillings annually.”
The President used Byamukama’s success story to drive home a key point: wealth creation through commercial agriculture is a powerful tool for poverty alleviation and economic growth in Uganda. Byamukama’s farm, Museveni said, not only generates significant income for him but also creates jobs for his fellow Ugandans.
“Byamukama’s story is proof that if you apply the right knowledge and take advantage of the resources available, you can change your life,” Museveni said. “He has moved from being a mere politician to a businessman, and through his ventures, he has created jobs for many people.”
The Power of Commercial Agriculture
President Museveni also took the opportunity to share details about his own agricultural initiatives. He explained how his four-acre demonstration farm, which he started three years ago, has become a model of sustainable farming.
The farm, located in the Butebo region, is home to coffee, bananas, fish farming, and zero-grazing cows, providing an example of how diversified farming can yield significant profits.
“We started with four acres, and in half an acre alone, my people are getting 100 million shillings a year from fish farming,” Museveni shared. “After deducting the costs, they are left with 70 million shillings in profit. If they extend the same practice to the other half-acre, they could be earning 140 million shillings annually just from fish.”
The President emphasized that the key to success lies in diversification. On his farm, he grows not only coffee and bananas but also cultivates pineapple and raises fish and dairy cattle. The farm’s profitability is a testament to the potential of small-scale commercial farming in Uganda.
“When you look at the coffee, one acre gives us 12 million shillings,” Museveni continued. “We also harvest pineapples twice a year, and each harvest generates about 4.5 million shillings. With all these ventures, we are looking at earning over 100 million shillings from just four acres of land.”
The Role of the Private Sector and Industrial Parks in Job Creation
Beyond agriculture, Museveni also discussed the broader economic picture, focusing on how the private sector is driving job creation and economic development in Uganda. The President pointed to the success of the Mbare Industrial Park, which houses 75 factories and now employs around 30,000 Ugandans.
“Many people mistakenly believe that government jobs are the only solution to employment in Uganda,” Museveni stated. “But the reality is that the private sector is where most jobs come from. Government jobs are limited, and right now, there are only about 480,000 government positions in a country of 50 million people.”
The President praised the industrial park, explaining that it has become a hub for young Ugandans seeking employment. The factories in Mbale are playing a critical role in expanding Uganda’s industrial base and creating long-term, sustainable job opportunities.
“Look at Mbale Industrial Park, 75 factories, employing 30,000 Ugandans. That is where the jobs are being created,” Museveni said. “The private sector is the engine of economic growth. This is why we focus on developing industries and encouraging entrepreneurship.”
Free Education and Skilling Hubs: A Path to Empowerment
In addition to his focus on agriculture and industrialization, Museveni also spoke about the government’s efforts to provide free education and vocational training to young Ugandans.
Since 1996, the government has been working to establish skilling hubs across the country to equip young people with practical skills that can help them enter the job market and start their own businesses.
Museveni noted that the skilling hubs have allowed many Ugandans to acquire valuable trade skills such as carpentry, tailoring, and welding, among others.
He shared a brief interaction with some graduates of these programs, who spoke about how the training had transformed their lives.
One young woman, Olivia from Lakissim village, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to receive vocational training, which has enabled her to support herself and her family.
“These young people are proof that when you give Ugandans the right skills, they can create their own opportunities,” Museveni said. “We are not only providing free education, but we are giving young people the tools they need to succeed.”
The NRM’s Legacy: Peace, Development, Wealth, and Jobs
As he wrapped up his speech, President Museveni urged the people of Butebo and Uganda at large to continue supporting the NRM, pointing to the party’s achievements in bringing peace, development, and prosperity to the country.
“Number one, NRM has brought peace. Number two, it has brought development. Number three, it has shown us how to create wealth. And number four, it has taught us how to create jobs,” Museveni said. “This is why we need to continue supporting the NRM. We are on the right path.”
The President’s call to action emphasized that Uganda’s future lies in the private sector, where individuals like Byamukama, who have embraced commercial agriculture and entrepreneurship, are paving the way for greater economic prosperity.
“Our country is moving forward, and we are creating wealth for ourselves,” Museveni concluded. “Together, we will make Uganda a prosperous nation for all.”
As Museveni’s rally came to a close, the crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers, reaffirming their support for the NRM’s vision of a wealthier, more self-reliant Uganda.
The message was clear: through entrepreneurship, commercial agriculture, and a growing private sector, Uganda is on the path to sustainable economic growth and job creation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
