Ugandans have today been implored to continue joining the money economy to improve their livelihoods.
This remark was made by the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander in Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces ( UPDF) H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as he officiated at the celebrations to mark the 39th NRM/NRA Victory Day Anniversary celebrations, at the National Teachers’ College Grounds in Mubende District.
During the ceremony, President Museveni commended the people of Mubende District and those from the Greater Luwero for supporting the struggle (1981 – 86) that eventually ushered in peace and stability.
He said Mubende served as an operation area, where different routes were used to attack Kabamba during the liberation of Uganda. Other districts like Kakumiro and Kagadi were also recognized under the same docket.
The vividly excited President said: ” We didn’t fight for nothing, Mubende has now changed in outlook and am very happy. There’s is no doubt there has been a lot of changes.”
The President noted that by Independence, we had a small money economy, where only 9 percent Ugandans were engaged in the money economy, and 91 percent were “working for the stomach,”(engaged in subsistence agriculture).
He explained that this small economy that finally collapsed was caused by shortage of essential commodities due to bad leadership from leaders like Amin, speculation and the then existing black market that increased the price of dollars daily.
He said that the arrival of NRM changed things for the better when five stages were followed, which include: shortages of (Coffee, cotton, Tea, Tourism) have been revived hinged on Operation Wealth Creation initiatives , deliberate efforts have been made to expand the economy, diversification has been adopted, value addition has taken root and Ugandans have now embraced the knowledge – based economy (use of brains) – hence the arrival of the Kayoola bus and production of vaccines, among others.
Unfortunately, President Museveni wasn’t impressed with the 68 percent of the population still stuck in poverty as per the 2013 population census.
He thus encouraged people to use Parish Development Model (PDM) Funds carefully to join the money economy, prompting him to warn all leaders who engage in its misappropriation to stop the vice, citing legal action against culprits.
“You can all get out of poverty if we stop working for the stomach only, that’s transform from subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture,” he said.
The President further noted that government is going to pay all bank charges deducted from PDM Pay Out so that people get the scaled one million, minus any deductions.
He challenged leaders to know the number of people per parish so that they can plan for them effectively given the revolving nature of the fund- this makes dividends of growth to be shared by all.
President Museveni concluded by promising to continue with the infrastructural development (tarmacking roads) in the region, and urged people to “work hard to get out of poverty”, saying “in normal life, always seek homestead incomes and the rest will be added onto you.”
The Minister for Presidency, Hon Babirye Milly Babalanda, announced that Ugandans celebrate this day because of what inspired them to liberate the country . “These circumstances helped us to start the journey of building a nation worth of identity,” she said, ” adding that the peace and security ushered in by the NRM government has made a tangible and positive difference in the lives of our people.”
She congratulated all Ugandans upon reaching the year’s celebrations, and all gallant men and women in uniform for their continued vigilance and professionalism which has secured all corners of the country for prosperity and development.
She commended past and fallen heroes for liberating the country, and maintaining peace and stability.
Hon Babalanda also reiterated that Uganda will continue to make it’s contributions towards efforts that seek the achievement of sustainable social economic transformation for both it’s citizens and many others on our continent.
At the same function, organized under the theme: ” 39 Years of NRM/A: Salutations to Those Who Re-sanctified our Homeland”, the Master of Ceremonies of the Chancellory and also Commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College – Kimaka Maj Gen George Igumba awarded medals on behalf of the President to some citizens in recognition of their exceptional contribution in the transformation of the country, and during the liberation struggle.
Guests were entertained by the UPDF, Police and Prisons’ bands and local musicians.
Earlier, a medical camp was conducted (from 22nd to 24th January 2025), providing free eye treatment (600 eye glasses given out freely) and minor surgeries to area residents.