Ugandan president Museveni saddened by the level of poverty in Uganda

President Yoweri Museveni has called on Ugandans to reject complacency and capitalize on opportunities for financial growth as part of the ongoing efforts to combat poverty in the country. Speaking to residents, Museveni highlighted the need for a collective approach to development, cautioning that many have become too accustomed to living in poverty.

“I felt compelled to visit because I heard that some of you have grown too comfortable with poverty,” said Museveni, who has been at the helm of Uganda since 1986 following a successful guerrilla war lasting five years. His comments were reported by various Ugandan dailies.

The President emphasized the importance of the savings and credit cooperative system (SACCO), stating, “I want this money to remain within the community and drive long-term development.”

He also addressed the issue of land fragmentation, which he believes hampers the effective use of funds from the Parish Development Model (PDM). “One of your biggest challenges is the division of land when the family head passes away. Why not keep the land intact and work on it collectively as a family? Small plots limit potential. Think about your children’s future,” he advised.

The PDM, launched on February 26, 2022, aims to bring government services closer to citizens and enhance grassroots service delivery. Rubirizi District, with a population of 167,835 and 36,330 households—33,786 of which are engaged in subsistence farming—has been a focal point for this initiative.

During his tour of the Ankole sub-region, Museveni visited Rubirizi, Sheema, and Ibanda districts to engage with beneficiaries of the PDM, reinforcing his message of unity and proactive development.