Kumi, Uganda | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has challenged leaders and residents of Kumi District to prioritize household wealth creation over demands for new districts, town councils, or tarmacked roads, describing personal economic productivity as the true driver of sustainable development.
Addressing a large crowd at Kumi Wiggins Secondary School grounds during his campaign tour in Teso sub-region, Museveni cautioned that many Ugandans mistakenly equate development with government projects while neglecting household-level economic growth.
He noted that people often demand new districts, town councils, or tarmac roads without realizing that at the end of the day, these do not directly address the persistent poverty at home.
He emphasized that when families return home at night, the poverty they live with continues to affect them, with children lacking sugar, meat, paraffin, electricity, and clothes – the real problems that need attention.
Museveni explained that while government is responsible for development projects such as roads, schools, and hospitals, wealth creation is a personal responsibility.
He clarified that development and infrastructure are collective responsibilities, but wealth or poverty at the household level depends on individuals taking initiative.
This is why the NRM emphasizes wealth creation through programs such as Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
He urged Ugandans to actively seek income-generating opportunities to transform their households and communities, noting that development without wealth creation is meaningless.
He highlighted that money, which drives development, comes from taxes, and if households are poor, they cannot contribute to national revenue, undermining overall progress.
The President announced plans to strengthen wealth creation programs, including 15 million shillings in loans for leaders to invest, as well as targeted funds for religious institutions, cultural leaders, fishing communities, and unemployed university graduates.
On education, Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to free and quality education, recalling the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1996, while expressing concern that mismanagement by some leaders and head teachers had frustrated its objectives.
He said this prompted the creation of Presidential Skilling Hubs, designed to equip young people with practical skills to earn a living.
His remarks followed a request from Kumi District NRM Chairperson, Christine Amongin Aporu, for new administrative units, including Kanyum District, Mukongoro County, and Atutur Town Council.
While acknowledging her concerns, Museveni urged that wealth creation should take precedence over administrative expansion.
He also announced development initiatives for Kumi, including electricity extension to ten sub-counties, upgrading six Health Centre IIs to IIIs, and constructing new health facilities in Kanapa, Mukongoro, and Kanyum.
Museveni concluded by urging residents to take charge of their economic futures, stressing that Uganda’s progress depends on the prosperity of individual households.
He said that when families focus on generating income and improving their livelihoods, broader national development will follow, creating a more sustainable path out of poverty for everyone.