President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans, especially the youth, to focus on private sector opportunities under the Parish Development Model (PDM) instead of waiting for limited government jobs.
Speaking at Wabinyonyi playground in Nakasongola on Thursday, May 22, 2025, President Museveni emphasized that grassroots wealth creation through agriculture and small-scale enterprises can generate more employment than public service.
“People waste a lot of time looking for government jobs. In a developing country, there are more jobs in the private sector than in government because the government jobs are few,” he said. “The government employs 480,000 people, yet the population is 46 million. How can that be enough?”
He made the remarks as he concluded his three-day PDM and wealth creation tour in the greater Luwero region.
President Museveni cited real-life examples of successful individuals applying the PDM approach. “Fred Byamukama employs 26 people on his four-acre model farm. Nyakana Richard of Rwengaaju in Kabarole uses 1.2 acres to employ 15 people,” he noted.
He argued that if seven million acres of Uganda’s 40 million arable acres were utilized like Nyakana’s, the country could generate 105 million jobs—more than Uganda’s total population.
Factories already employ 1.2 million people, three times more than government institutions, the President said. He encouraged parents to guide their children toward commercial agriculture, services, and entrepreneurship.
Museveni rooted his message in six key pillars—peace, security, development, wealth, health, and education—as the foundation for socio-economic transformation.
“NRM believes in unity and peace. Development is important, but so is wealth creation. That is why we support initiatives like Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga, and now the PDM,” he said.
He pointed to success stories like Joseph Ijara of Serere, who earns over Shs 1 billion annually from poultry and livestock on 2.5 acres. Other examples include Hajjat Mariam Baiga in Luwero, Nalubowa Aida in Nakaseke, and Tumusiime Deziranta, 64, who started with just Shs 1 million from PDM.
Museveni predicted that if PDM is embraced, parish SACCOs could evolve into banks worth Shs 1.6 billion in ten years, helping communities escape predatory lending.
“Don’t neglect this. A parish Sacco is for everyone above 18. Participate and elect your leaders. The money is meant to transform households,” he said.
He criticized SACCO mismanagement, warning against favoring friends and family, and encouraged citizens to engage actively in decision-making.
Museveni also promised to establish a special fund for fishermen to support sustainable fishing practices, following praise for his efforts in protecting lakes through the fisheries protection unit.
NRM Vice National Chairperson for Central Region, Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, thanked the President for his visit, calling it a symbol of commitment to wealth creation in the region.
Nakasongola County MP Mutebi Noah Wanzala and District Woman MP Zawedde Victorious appealed for a special land fund to compensate absentee landlords evicting tenants.
The event was attended by cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and other NRM leaders.
