By Joseph Kiggundu
KOLOLO. Generation Z (Gen Z) youth yesterdaycelebrated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 82nd birthday at KololoCeremonial Grounds, embracing his message of patriotism, wealth creation,skilling, value addition and socio-economic transformation.Thecelebrations brought together Gen Z youth, government leaders and otherstakeholders, with speakers highlighting the importance of empowering youngpeople to participate in Uganda’s economic transformation.
Ina message delivered by Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo, President Musevenisaid Uganda’s stability, good governance and socio-economic progress wereincreasingly evident across the country, noting that the country was steadilyprogressing towards a middle-income economy.ThePresident urged Gen Z and all Ugandans to embrace the principles ofenlightenment, ideology, nationalism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economictransformation and democracy as key pillars for Uganda’s continued
development.Onnationalism, President Museveni said patriotism requires Ugandans to love theircountry, remain united and recognise the contribution of every citizenregardless of age, tribe, gender, religion, region or social status.
Hecalled for an end to discrimination and tribalism, in line with the AfricanUnion Agenda 2063 principle of leaving no one behind.ThePresident also emphasised the importance of Pan-Africanism, saying Africa’slarge market provides Uganda with an opportunity to expand trade, increaseproduction and create economic opportunities.
“Weneed a larger market of 1.3 billion people — an African continental market forthe excess products which we are producing across the country,” he said.PresidentMuseveni further called for continued industrialisation and value addition tocreate jobs for young people, enable Uganda to export finished products andearn more from the international market.Onsocio-economic transformation, the President said wealth creation was theresponsibility of every Ugandan, urging the 33 percent of households that arestill outside the money economy to join it and actively participate inproductive economic activities.“Noone should be a spectator in the wealth creation process,” he said.
Healso called for an end to corruption and urged Ministries, Departments andAgencies to continue guiding Ugandans on available opportunities for wealthcreation.ThePresident identified commercial agriculture, industry, services and Informationand Communication Technology (ICT) among the key sectors through which Ugandanscan create wealth and jobs.Ondemocracy, President Museveni urged Ugandans to responsibly guard the country’sdemocratic gains and exercise their rights and responsibilities within the law.
“Alwaysremember that rights come with responsibilities and respect for humanity,” hesaid.Onher part, H.E Alupo thanked the organisers for celebrating President Museveni’sbirthday, saying the occasion was an opportunity to reflect on his leadershipand its contribution to Uganda’s development.Shecommended the President’s emphasis on ensuring that Ugandans participate innational development through wealth creation, education, skilling and othergovernment programmes.
H.EAlupo said the country’s young people should embrace opportunities createdthrough government programmes and work together to consolidate Uganda’sdevelopment gains.Shealso emphasised the importance of the East African Community and the widerAfrican market, saying expanded markets are important for supporting Uganda’sproduction and creating opportunities for young people.TheVice President called for continued value addition to Uganda’s raw materials tocreate jobs and increase the country’s earnings from its products.
Shefurther encouraged Ugandans, particularly young people, to embracewealth-creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model and ensure thathouseholds still outside the money economy become active participants ineconomic activity.TheMinister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Minsa Kabanda,congratulated President Museveni upon reaching 82 years and wished him manymore years.
Shecalled on Gen Z to embrace the President’s message on wealth creation and makeuse of available opportunities to improve their livelihoods.TheState Minister for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatisation, Hon.Amina Mukalazi, also congratulated President Museveni, describing him as a“walking history.
”Shecommended the President for the peace and stability in the country andhighlighted government initiatives in education, including Universal PrimaryEducation (UPE).
TheState Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Mercy Lakisa, thankedPresident Museveni for the peace and stability prevailing in Uganda, saying thecelebrations provided an opportunity for the younger generation to appreciatehis contribution to the country.
Sheidentified unemployment and limited ideological orientation among challengesfacing young people and commended government programmes such as the ParishDevelopment Model, Emyooga and skilling centres for creating opportunities foryouth.Hon.Lakisa challenged young Ugandans to recognise their responsibility in shapingthe country’s future, urging them to work hard, remain united and protectUganda’s development gains.
Mr.Gumisiriza Ian Jeremiah, the Special Presidential Assistant on the InformalSector, said the informal sector had dedicated September to activitiescelebrating President Museveni’s birthday.Hesaid Gen Z had chosen to mark the occasion through activities intended tobenefit communities, including a blood donation drive aimed at saving lives.
Mr.Gumisiriza said young entrepreneurs were also embracing President Museveni’smessage on value addition, with Gen Z businesses exhibiting products at thecelebrations.Onbehalf of Gen Z, he thanked President Museveni and the NRM Government forprogrammes such as Universal Primary Education, wealth-creation initiatives andskilling centres, which he said had opened opportunities for young Ugandans.
The National Chairperson of Gen Z, Israel Kyarisima, called on young Ugandans totake responsibility for shaping their future rather than merely demandingbetter opportunities.Kyarisimaurged the youth to embrace the seven pillars of the qualitative leap thatPresident Museveni has been promoting during the campaigns, saying this wouldenable young people to transform their lives and contribute to Uganda’ssocio-economic transformation.
Thecelebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds brought together Gen Z youth,government leaders and other stakeholders, with participants using the occasionto reflect on President Museveni’s leadership and emphasise the importance ofwealth creation, value addition, skilling, patriotism and productive participationin Uganda’s economy.