President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has applauded Youth Platform Africa (YPA) for its impressive growth in agribusiness and its contribution to youth empowerment and wealth creation in Uganda.
Represented by the State Minister for gender, labour, and social development in charge of children and youth affairs, Balaam Barugahara, the President made the remarks during YPA’s Annual General Meeting and Expo held at Kololo Independence Grounds. He praised YPA’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming a key player in commercial agriculture.
“I am happy to learn that you have been able to grow from rearing just 100 goats to now 110,000 goats; and from growing maize on an acre of land, to now 36,000 acres. This tremendous growth testifies to your hard work and commitment to wealth and jobs creation,” said President Museveni.
YPA began in 2008 as a small village group of 21 individuals. It has since evolved into a legally registered organization operating across Uganda and beyond. According to YPA Managing Director, Obed Ben Rukuringamamanzi, the platform now boasts a board, an executive committee, and multiple income-generating projects that span agribusiness, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Obed stated, “Our innovative initiatives span a wide range of sectors. Our primary objective is to provide young Africans with opportunities to flourish and create lasting impact within their communities.”
The President urged Ugandans to escape poverty by entering the money economy, emphasizing that 37% of households remain trapped in subsistence agriculture. He highlighted four key sectors—commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT—as pillars of job creation and economic transformation.
“Without money, you cannot participate in the economy as a consumer of goods and services,” he noted.
He also acknowledged YPA’s role in leveraging national infrastructure and peace to build sustainable livelihoods. “I thank Col. Edith Nakalema, the Patron for YPA, for supporting the youth initiatives. The youth are a great asset,” President Museveni said.
Col. Edith Nakalema, Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), underscored agriculture’s potential as a low-hanging fruit for economic growth. “The destiny of Uganda lies in the power of youth to steer innovation, empowerment and transformation,” she said. “Be intentional in making your undertakings the turning point for empowering young people economically.”
She urged the youth to embrace value addition across the agriculture value chain to unlock Uganda’s economic potential. “Agriculture is a nursery bed for generating social and economic wealth,” Col. Nakalema emphasized.
Dr. Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, pledged continued support to YPA. “What you are doing as YPA is part of the arrangements that will help our country achieve its development target,” he said.
Balaam commended Obed for founding a platform that empowers the youth and thanked President Museveni for creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Through YPA’s expansion, the organization has become a model for rural transformation and youth-led development. Its journey reflects the power of strategic vision, grassroots mobilization, and practical implementation of government policy.
