Summary:
- President Museveni emphasized the importance of prioritizing economic growth over infrastructure expansion.
NTUNGAMO: President Yoweri Museveni has called on leaders from the Ankole and Kigezi sub-regions to abandon deceitful politics and guide the people toward wealth creation for sustainable socio-economic transformation.
Speaking on Saturday at Kyamate Secondary School playground in Ntungamo District, where he officially concluded his extended Parish Development Model (PDM) zonal tour for Ankole, Museveni emphasized the importance of prioritizing economic growth over infrastructure expansion.
“The government disburses 1.5 trillion shillings annually, totaling 7 trillion shillings over five years for PDM. If we used all that money to build tarmac roads first, wealth would not follow. We would have roads but no wealth for our people, and we would lose sight of our priorities. Growth starts when we create wealth for our people,” he remarked.
The President was accompanied by the First Lady, Maama Janet Museveni, and met with Members of Parliament, District LC5 and NRM Chairpersons, as well as NRM Subcounty and LC3 Chairpersons from the two sub-regions.
The meeting aimed to assess and improve the implementation of the PDM program while exploring additional interventions such as commercial tree planting and supporting investors interested in processing iron ore from Rubanda and Butogota.
Museveni urged leaders to uphold integrity and honesty in their leadership.
“I don’t want leaders who deceive people. When we were in the bush fighting, I never lied. Our soldiers knew Obote was powerful and had weapons, but we believed that if we stuck to the truth, we would succeed. Leaders should stop misleading the people and instead guide them properly,” he said.
The President also stressed the importance of flexible planning with clear objectives, particularly in improving household water access for livestock farmers under the PDM.
“The key focus should be on lifting people out of poverty. We need to awaken them, help them utilize the funds we have provided, and support them with essential resources like water. That’s why I advocate for household watering systems instead of communal watering,” he explained.
On the issue of supporting investors interested in processing iron ore from Rubanda and Butogota, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa welcomed the investment and pledged the necessary support.
