Todwong challenges Prisons Officers to champion household wealth creation

By Our Reporter

National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong has challenged Uganda Prisons Service officers to use their leadership positions, professional expertise and influence to champion household wealth creation and drive socioeconomic transformation in their communities.

Todwong delivered the message while addressing officers undertaking various command and leadership programmes at the Uganda Prisons Academy and Training School in Luzira.

The participants included officers enrolled on the Intermediate Command and Staff Course, Junior Command and Staff Course, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Course and Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Course.

He urged the officers to look beyond their core responsibilities and embrace income-generating activities, particularly commercial agriculture and manufacturing, as practical ways of improving household incomes and contributing to national development.

“I encourage you to use your leadership to establish community challenges and work towards sustained solutions,” Todwong challenged the officers, urging them to become agents of socioeconomic transformation.

Emphasising that poverty eradication begins at household level, Todwong called on the officers to actively support government wealth-creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and other economic empowerment programmes.

He noted that their leadership positions and professional experience place them in a strategic position to influence communities and encourage citizens to participate in productive economic activities.

On financial management, Todwong cautioned against excessive expenditure on non-productive activities, including unnecessary celebrations and social events, advocating instead for a culture of disciplined saving and strategic investment.

He encouraged the officers to prioritise investments in income-generating enterprises, education and agriculture, explaining that responsible financial decisions are essential in building sustainable household wealth.

Todwong also highlighted the relationship between peace, security and economic development, noting that a stable environment enables citizens to settle, conduct business, invest and improve their livelihoods.

Reflecting on Uganda’s historical experiences, he encouraged the officers to appreciate the country’s transition from past instability to the relative peace and security enjoyed today, emphasising the importance of protecting these achievements.

On national unity, the NRM Secretary General urged the officers to reject sectarianism, tribalism and religious discrimination, stressing that citizens should be valued according to their skills, abilities and contributions rather than their backgrounds.

He observed that Uganda’s diversity should be treated as a source of strength capable of promoting social cohesion, national unity and economic progress.

Todwong further identified corruption as a major obstacle to national development, calling on the officers to uphold integrity, discipline and accountability in the execution of their duties.

He reminded the participants that their strategic positions within society come with a responsibility to lead by example, maintain good public relations and make decisions that positively influence the communities they serve.

He urged them to use their professional experience and leadership capabilities not only to strengthen the Uganda Prisons Service but also to contribute meaningfully to improving the livelihoods of Ugandans.