By Joseph Mary Buwule
KYANKWANZI, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has challenged Cabinet ministers and government leaders to focus on accelerating socio-economic transformation by moving Ugandan households from subsistence production into the money economy.
Speaking on Monday while officially opening the Cabinet Induction Retreat at Kyankwanzi, President Museveni reminded leaders that the historical mission of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and post-independence African leadership is to transform societies through sustainable economic development.
The President emphasized that Uganda cannot achieve meaningful progress while large sections of the population remain trapped in subsistence farming and low-income activities.
“We cannot continue to have people trapped in subsistence production. Our mission is to move every household into the money economy through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT,” Museveni said.
He urged leaders at all levels to guide citizens towards wealth creation by promoting productive enterprises, value addition, and investment opportunities that can improve household incomes and livelihoods.
According to the President, Uganda’s development agenda must focus on expanding commercial agriculture, strengthening the manufacturing sector, enhancing service industries, and embracing information and communication technology (ICT) as key drivers of economic growth.
Museveni noted that leadership should be evaluated based on its ability to improve the welfare of citizens and create opportunities for economic prosperity.
“Leaders must guide the people towards wealth creation, value addition and prosperity,” he said.
The President further stressed the importance of building a strong middle class and a skilled working class, describing them as critical pillars for national development and long-term economic stability.
“We must build a middle class and a skilled working class. That is the benchmark by which leadership should be judged,” Museveni added.
The Cabinet Induction Retreat brings together ministers and senior government officials to discuss national priorities, government policies, and strategies aimed at accelerating Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and development agenda.
The retreat is expected to provide a platform for leaders to align their efforts with government programmes focused on wealth creation, industrialization, job creation, and improving the livelihoods of Ugandans across the country.