President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on the people of Uganda to strive for universal wealth as a means to tackle the challenges affecting women.
“While we are making progress, we must accelerate our efforts. Our goal is to achieve wealth for all. If we can attain universal wealth, we will eliminate the challenges faced by women, such as the practice of selling girls as bride price,” President Museveni stated.
These remarks were made by the President during his participation at the International Women’s Day 2024 Celebrations held at Boma Grounds in Katakwi District.
The event centered around the theme “Accelerating Gender Equality Through Women’s Economic Empowerment.”
President Museveni emphasized that many families possess the potential to become prosperous due to their ownership of land, and they should harness this natural resource to combat underdevelopment through commercial agriculture, employing sound financial planning.
“Once families attain prosperity, issues of women’s emancipation will naturally diminish. True emancipation of women should arise organically, not merely through legislation,” he commented.
The President further urged leaders to prioritize the transformation of Ugandans’ lives, highlighting that the desired socio-economic progress can only be achieved through two key avenues: widespread education and ensuring the inclusion of every adult in the money economy.
“Education equips people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions. That is why the NRM (National Resistance Movement) introduced free education in government schools. However, some elites oppose free education. School administrators, lacking adequate supervision from their leaders, introduced fees, resulting in school dropouts, including girls. We will soon launch a campaign to enforce free education in schools,” President Museveni announced.
He also advised the women’s movement to advocate for free education for all, enabling the liberation of girls from any barriers to their education.
“To consolidate the liberation of the girl child, you must insist on free education in government schools. Wealthy individuals can opt for private schools for their children,” he added.
President Museveni stressed the importance of adopting a holistic approach to societal progress, emphasizing the need to eradicate the prevalent mindset of working solely for sustenance. He asserted that engaging the entire society, including women, in programs such as the NRM’s focus on food and income security, commercial agriculture, craftsmanship, industries, services, and information and communication technology (ICT), would empower both women and men.
While acknowledging that some challenges in achieving gender equality may persist, President Museveni expressed confidence that an advancing society would easily surmount them.
“We have witnessed success stories of socio-economic transformation in various parts of the country. Families in the cattle corridor have overcome poverty through the commercialization and industrialization of the dairy sector. In Kalangala, people have risen out of poverty due to the oil palm project, while in Bundibugyo, cocoa, palm oil, and coffee cultivation have lifted people out of destitution,” President Museveni explained.
The President assured the people of Teso that the government would expand the fruit factory in Soroti to facilitate the purchase of all their citrus fruits. He also encouraged the development of fish and dairy farming, poultry, and pig rearing.
President Museveni commended Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo for leading the economic development efforts in Teso and serving as a role model for girls.
Reflecting on his participation in International Women’s Day, President Museveni expressed his joy at witnessing the transformation of women’s rights into a serious movement.
“When I attend such occasions, I am delighted to see how what people used to dismiss as a mere joke has now become a significant movement,” H.E. Museveni remarked, recalling the importance of women’s involvement in the national forces during the 1978/79 war against Idi Amin.
“After Idi Amin’s defeat, challenges arose when forming a unified army with other groups, as some undermined the role of women within the military. However, we reaffirmed that women were skilled marksmen, dispelling any doubts about their capabilities. Today, you can see that this entire compound is filled with women,” Gen. Museveni noted.
President Museveni highlighted Uganda’s progress in embracing women in key leadership positions, emphasizing that it stands out among other nations.
During the event, President Museveni also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at capacity building and support for women entrepreneurs under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project.
Moreover, a sum of Shs9 billion from the GROW funds was disbursed to women in business across four districts: Katakwi, Kaabong, Lira, and Amuria.
The occasion also recognised 53 exceptional individuals, including H.E. Jessica Alupo and Mr. Amos Mukisa, for their significant contributions to Uganda. Mr. Mukisa and his colleague, Mr. Abdul Katabaazi, were honored for their braveryin apprehending the perpetrators of the murder of Eng. Daniel Bbosa, the Ndiga clan head, who was shot near his home in Lungujja, Rubaga Division last month.
In her address, Vice President Jessica Alupo praised President Museveni for his dedicated and strategic leadership, which has facilitated the empowerment and emancipation of women.
“I congratulate Your Excellency and the people of Uganda on commemorating International Women’s Day 2024. This year’s theme resonates with the progress made by the NRM government in including women and girls in the country’s development,” Alupo stated.
She acknowledged that women and girls are the greatest beneficiaries of the peace and security established in Uganda, highlighting the access to education through the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs, which have brought female students to the forefront and enabled them to compete on equal footing with men.
The Vice President further emphasized that the NRM government’s targeted development programs have empowered women to manage and expand their businesses, fostering economic prosperity.
“The NRM government has also enacted enabling laws that protect women from abuse and discrimination, creating a conducive environment for their advancement,” she added.
Alupo commended the efforts made by President Museveni and the government in championing gender equality and women’s empowerment, affirming the commitment to continue working towards a more inclusive and prosperous Uganda.