Rukungiri – President Museveni has asked the leaders Kigezi sub-region to use agriculture as the only solution and tool to increasing poverty levels in their region.
“Being is not an easy task, you talked of increasing poverty levels so I want to advise you , Your role as leaders mobilize your subjects to embrace commercial agriculture if you want to end poverty and your people will live in improved standards”. President Museveni said.
He noted that the government is already supporting ordinary Ugandans with start-up capital of shs. 1 million in the form of the Parish Development Model (PDM) to enable them to invest in commercial agriculture.
“Agriculture is the medicine for poverty, that’s why we introduced programs like PDM that is giving Shs 100 million to every parish across the country. This program is aiming at every Ugandan into the money economy” president Museveni added.
He also asked Ugandans to embrace modern farming practices.
“Although Ugandans have taken remarkable steps to get out of poverty but they need to embrace market oriented agriculture. I mean doing agriculture not only for food but for food and selling that’s when you will be able to fight poverty that you talked about ” He said.
The president made the remarks yesterday while meeting leaders of Kigezi sub region a function that took place in the district Main stadium in southern division in Rukungiri municipality in Rukungiri district.
The meeting was part of the presidential regional performance assessment tour on the Parish Development Model and wealth creation in Kigezi sub region.
On the issue of PDM, President Museveni noted he is going to order the arrest of all those involved in the theft of the PDM funds.
” This time I want to deal with whoever try to steal people’s money (PDM money).This money is purely for ordinary Ugandans and it is not this point that I want direct banks that have been deducting some money from them to stop it with immediate effect or I will also arrest you. We shall pay you ( banks) but let every beneficiary go with his or her shs.1 m full” President added.
In other issues, President Museveni also cautioned the leaders against politics of identity based on tribe, religion and discrimination against women, explaining that it is detrimental to national development.
“We all Ugandans why should we fight because of cheap politics based on tribe color, religion. Fellows country let’s work together and we fight our common enemy which is poverty by embracing government programs aiming at bringing money into your pockets ” President Museveni noted.
“The president added “NRM is a party that works for all Ugandans. From the beginning NRM have been believing in the masses and our people have listened to our programs of development that’s why When we say immunisation and because of this our population has gone from 14 million to 46 million”.
Uganda’s vice president Rtd Maj. Jessica Alupo mobilized Ugandans to combine their efforts and fight poverty together.
“This issue of fighting poverty is not a ones man war . We must work together youth should not expect they will get rich through miracles . Let’s work hand in hand and develop together as Ugandans”. VP Alupo said.
She also asked Leaders to encourage their people work hard and get out of poverty by supporting support government development programmes and desist from diverting them from the right direction praying is not enough.
“You People you have to sweat and strive to transform to economic empowerment and remember a prayer without working is a dead one so let’s encourage our people to work ” she added.
The Vice Chairperson of NRM of western Uganda. Dr Chris Baryomunsi thanked President Museveni for being a revolutionary leader who has worked for the well being of Ugandans.
“Today our country Uganda is growing at a very high speed because of you Mr president. We know you have worked day and night and that’s we developing at this speed so we say thank our people “.Dr Baryomunsi said.
Speaking at the same function, the minister of Security at the same time the Rujumbura county member of Parliament Rtd.Maj.Gen.Jim K Muhwezi told the president that the leaders of Kigezi sub-region are living in fears due to the increasing poverty levels.
” Mr president we are living in fears because of increasing levels of poverty. The poverty levels have grown from 13.7% to 27.6% according to our recent research we conducted as leaders for the last 5 years. So we call for your intervention Mr president” Minister Muhwezi said.
The Minister added” poverty levels are increasing because of land fragmentation and this is because of increasing population yet resources like land and others are not increasing “.
“He however thanked the president for visiting Kigezi sub-region and hailed him for transforming the lives of Ugandans”
“Mr president we can’t fail to thank you because we know that you have capacity to address all these challenges and we also thank you for visiting our region may good lord give you all your need ” Minister Muhwezi added.
During the same meeting, the leaders of Kigezi sub-region endorsed President Museveni as the party’s sole candidate for the 2026 presidential elections.
The meeting was all leaders from the six districts of Kigezi sub-region including Ministers, Members of Parliament, among other leaders.
