Focus on wealth creation, not just infrastructure demands- Museveni tells Bunyoro
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on the people of Bunyoro to embrace wealth creation initiatives such as commercial agriculture to combat poverty, boost household incomes, and create employment.Addressing youth at the Bunyoro Youth Empowerment Symposium in Masindi Museveni emphasised that while infrastructure development is essential, it alone will not solve household poverty.“There is a difference between development and wealth. Government can develop the country through providing roads, electricity, and hospitals, but it cannot put food on your table or create wealth for you. You need to work to eliminate poverty from your homes,” Museveni said.The symposium, organised by the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, aimed at addressing youth unemployment and promoting community development in Bunyoro.According to Barugahara, Masindi, like many urban areas, has experienced rising unemployment, particularly among the youth, leading to increased urban crime.Museveni reiterated to the youth that the key to eradicating poverty is wealth creation, which goes hand in hand with development and job creation.He urged people to distinguish between public infrastructure, which benefits everyone, and wealth, which benefits individual households.“Wealth enables you to build a good house. Even if you have electricity in the area, you will not have it in your home if you don’t have the money to pay for it. A tarmac road may pass by your home, but you will remain poor if you don’t work to improve your income,” Museveni said, citing examples of impoverished communities in Bunyoro that have benefited from infrastructure yet still suffer from poverty.Reflecting on his personal experience, the president shared that when he introduced dairy farming in North Ankole and Kiruhura in the 1960s, there were no roads or electricity.“In 1967, when I bought land in Rwakitura, the area was bushy and undeveloped, but I became rich through farming. By the time the good roads and electricity arrived, I was already selling milk and beef,” he explained.Museveni urged the people of Bunyoro to focus on the basics of wealth creation, assuring them that other developments would follow.He promised to return to the region for a detailed discussion on the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and infrastructure challenges.The president encouraged residents to adopt his “4-acre model,” which promotes agricultural diversification.The model suggests dedicating one acre to coffee cultivation, another to fruit trees, the third to staple crops for household consumption, and the fourth to pasture for livestock.Additionally, backyard poultry and piggery farming were recommended as viable income-generating activities.He praised successful farmers like Hon. Fred Byamukama, Minister of State for Transport, who reportedly earns Shs 800 million annually through a combination of coffee, poultry, piggery, and dairy farming, all on a 4-acre farm.Another model farmer, Richard Nyakana of Kana Farm in Rwengaju village, Kabarole district, earns a substantial income from a single acre, producing 120 litres of milk per day and 102 trays of eggs, while also providing jobs for 15 people.Museveni further urged the youth to take advantage of government programs such as the Emyooga and the PDM, both designed to lift families out of poverty.He highlighted the government’s allocation of Shs 100 million per parish annually, stressing that families should borrow and return funds within 24 months.“In three years, each parish will receive Shs 300 million. The goal is to empower 100 homesteads per parish every year,” he noted.During the event, the president promised Shs 260 million to rehabilitate Kabalega Primary School, Shs 20 million for boda boda SACCOs, and 14 tractors to be shared by religious institutions across Bunyoro.He also addressed the region’s infrastructure concerns, committing Shs 1 billion to rehabilitate Masindi Hospital, with work set to begin soon.The ceremony was attended by several government officials, including Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs Jennifer Namuyangu, and other leaders.Ministers in attendance included Phiona Nyamutooro (Minerals), Alice Kaboyo (Luwero Triangle and Rwenzori Region), Mary Mugasa (Public Service), Fred Byamukama (Transport), Jacob Oboth Oboth (Defence), Beatrice Akello (Economic Monitoring), Victoria Rusoke (Local Government), and Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua Denis.Other attendees included members of Parliament, LC5 chairpersons, and district leaders from Masindi, Kakumiro, Kikuube, Kiryandongo, Hoima, Fort Portal, and religious leaders.https://www.ugbulletin.co.ug/focus-on-wealth-creation-not-just-infrastructure-demands-museveni-tells-bunyoro/
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum