Museveni assures local leaders on government’s commitment to zero down on poverty

By WN Admin

Kampala –President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who doubles as national chairman for the ruling party, National Resistance Movement (NRM), has assured Kampala local leaders on government’s commitment to zero down on poverty in the country.

Museveni said this on Wednesday while speaking to NRM Village chairpersons from Kampala City at Kololo ceremonial grounds.

He said that his government is committed to helping local council leaders in fighting poverty. “Paying a salary to all LC leaders is practically impossible. What the government is going to do is to encourage you to form SACCOs so that financial assistance can be given to you and you invest in production or agriculture,” Museveni said, adding that this SACCO idea will not cripple government operations because it is easy to manage.

The president also reminded the leaders that government’s priority is to get the entire population out of poverty saying, it’s the reason why government has been trying out all available programs like NAADS, microfinance, Operation Wealth Creation, Youth lively program, Emyooga, and the recently introduced PDM.

He however informed them that, Parish Development Model (PDM) money in Kampala will be increased since their parishes have bigger populations compared to parishes in rural areas, “We are going to study the idea of investing more money in the city since there are many people. But the principle is one, borrow and invest then return it for other people to use it,” the president said.

He advised the leaders to also consider venturing into pre-urban agriculture since there is a ready market to buy their products, especially poultry and vegetables.

Concerning skilling, the president also said he will work with Kampala leadership to acquire many more spaces for markets, skilling, and artisan centres. “As a policy, the government will construct more skilling centres so that thousands of youth are taken in, trained and are equipped with skills to startup businesses,” President Museveni promised.

Earlier, the NRM Secretary-General, Richard Todwong who welcomed president to the gathering said that he was excited about the love that Kampala local leadership has shown towards their party chairman. “The desire they have for you is overwhelming. We might have differences and challenges as leaders, but, waking up every day to your leadership as our President gives us hope,” Todwong said.

He requested the president to kindly take the demands of his people to stand in the next election, saying the voice of the people is the voice of God.

Todwong told the President that the poor performance of the NRM party in the central region has been captured in the findings that were recently captured in research that the Secretariat commissioned under the department of mobilization. “Very soon, the people’s concerns from the central and Busoga regions which require special attention will be sent to your office,” Todwong explained.

The Secretary General, also informed the president and the gathering about the issues to do with constrained resources, unemployment and poverty as a result of the increasing population available, especially in the urban areas like Kampala city, Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi districts.

The meeting was also attended by the NRM Vice Chairman for Kampala region, Singh Katongole, Deputy Secretary General, Namayanja Rose Nsereko, KCCA ministers and members of the NRM top management.