President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Kampala’s mechanics and skilled workers to embrace government-led wealth creation programs by organizing into productive units and actively participating in the economy.
While visiting Bakitende Expert Garage in Wakaliga-Nateete, Rubaga Division, the President emphasized that every Ugandan should be engaged in productive work—as an owner, worker, or trainee.
“You must either be an owner, a worker, or a trainee. This is how we move forward as a country. That’s how we end backwardness,” President Museveni said.
Accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, the President said poverty must be confronted through practical involvement in sectors such as agriculture, industry, services, and crafts.
The visit marked the start of the President’s five-day Parish Development Model (PDM) assessment tour in Kampala.
Museveni encouraged mechanics, artisans, and service providers to utilize government support and build strong, organized groups. He highlighted trades like carpentry, shoemaking, welding, and tailoring as vital paths to economic empowerment.
“You are making things like shoes, sweaters, metal doors. That is production, and production is wealth. If you don’t own the business, then be a skilled worker in it,” he added.
He said the government would support garages through equipment such as breakdown trucks, tyre inflators, welding machines, and loaders.
“Some equipment, like breakdown trucks, can be shared at the parish or sub-county level, but others, like inflators, must be per garage to ensure effectiveness,” he noted.
Each sub-county, he said, will also receive Shs20 million to support food suppliers and spare parts dealers—provided they form cooperatives to avoid resource wastage.
Museveni pledged to buy land for garages to secure permanent workspaces and ensure vocational training continuity. He admitted that previous support had failed due to weak follow-up.
“I had given support before, but I am not sure how it ended. I was busy, and I thought the work was being done. This time, my State House team will closely follow up to make sure everything is implemented,” he said.
The President also criticized opposition leaders in Kampala for failing to advocate for services, citing complaints from traders in Busega Market over an unrepaired road.
“If you elect leaders who don’t talk to me, how will I know what’s not working? You are suffering not because government programs are not there, but because you ignore them due to politics,” he stated.
Earlier, the President was welcomed by Bakitende Garage leadership. The garage, formed after eviction from Kisenyi, now trains 65 youths and supports 120 members.
Chairman Muhamood Sonko appealed for more equipment, including car carriers and vocational tools.
“We have trained 65 youths, and 20 of them are now experts. We don’t chase them after training. As long as they are disciplined, they become part of us,” Sonko said.
“In this parish alone, we have more than 400 garages. If we get support, it will ripple across the entire division.”
Local leaders including LC1 Chairperson Steven Sekawungu, Minister for Kampala Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, and KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki attended the event.
Sekawungu praised Museveni for his leadership and for restoring peace, while Sonko thanked him for recognizing the role of urban artisans in Uganda’s development.
