The problem is not jobs but lack of vision – Museveni

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed that the current problem in Uganda is not jobs but rather the attitude and lack of vision among citizens who do not listen to the wealth creation message of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

“Don’t talk to me about lack of employment, talk about lack of vision. The jobs are there,” she said.

The President made these remarks on Wednesday during the International Labor Day celebrations held at Mukabura Grounds, Fort Portal City.

International Labor Day, also known as May Day, is commemorated annually on May 1 to recognize the contributions and achievements of workers around the world and promote workers’ rights and opportunities.

This year’s celebrations had the theme: “Improving access to labor justice, a prerequisite for greater productivity.”

According to the President, since 1996 he has been preaching about wealth creation especially through commercial agriculture with proper selection of businesses and if Ugandans religiously followed the message, the employment challenge would not be a problem.

“By 1996, Uganda had somewhat stabilized and in our manifesto we mobilized people on what to do to get out of poverty. We advise you on the four-acre model. The first acre is growing coffee, the second is growing fruit, then the third acre is growing zero grazing grasses and another acre is growing food crops. Then, poultry and pigs are raised in the backyard for non-Muslims. Those near the swamps build fish ponds,” he said.

“If people used Uganda’s arable land well to create wealth through agriculture, all those children who go out to work for the Arabs would not go there. The jobs are here,” the President insisted.

President Museveni further cited an example of a model farmer, Mr Richard Nyakana of Rwengaju, who listened to his message and now earns Sh180 million a year from dairy farming, poultry production and the added value of 1 acre of land.

On the other hand, the President advised union leaders that if they want to advocate for employment, they must first ensure that they create an avenue for wealth creation.

“Jobs come from wealth; You cannot have a job without wealth. Therefore, when you talk, you start with wealth creation. For more jobs, listen to the NRM guidelines that all rural areas should participate in the cash economy through intensive and extensive agriculture. We need an organic approach to these problems. The problem here is not the law but reality.”

He also warned farmers with limited land to desist from practicing extensive farming, saying the venture can only be profitable if it is practiced on a large scale.

On the tea crisis in Toor sub-region, President Museveni stated that he knew from the beginning that the crop had problems and that is why he never recommended it among high-value crops.

“In my four-acre, seven-activity model, I have never talked about tea. I know the problems with tea that is why I never recommended it in my writings. I recommended coffee, fruits, dairy, home food crops, poultry for eggs, pig farming and fish farming. This is what I recommended in writing.”

Furthermore, President Museveni noted that government officials and other stakeholders should work to ensure low cost of electricity, transportation and low cost of money by allocating more funds to the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) to lend to manufacturers at a low interest rate. He said this will stimulate the country’s economic development.

At the same event, a total of 53 distinguished Ugandans were awarded medals for their immense contribution to the defense of the rights and welfare of the working class.

The event was also attended by the Vice President, HE Jessica Alupo, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the first national vice president of the NRM, Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, ministers, members of Parliament and members of the Diplomatic Corps, among others.