President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to take personal responsibility for wealth creation, stressing that while government provides infrastructure and stability, escaping poverty ultimately depends on individual household decisions.
Museveni made the remarks while wrapping up a campaign tour of Bukomansimbi District, where residents turned up in large numbers despite heavy rainfall.
Reflecting on Uganda’s history, the President noted that peace in the country should never be taken for granted. He explained that before colonial rule, wars were common among kingdoms, and even today, several neighbouring countries remain affected by conflict.
“Uganda is currently hosting about two million refugees. Our peace did not come by chance, and it must be protected,” Museveni said.
Boosting Coffee Production Through Irrigation
The President commended Bukomansimbi for its strong performance in coffee production, describing the crop as a key income driver for households in the area. To address challenges posed by dry conditions, Museveni announced that micro-irrigation will be introduced to improve yields and ensure stable production throughout the year.
He also reaffirmed government commitment to improving road infrastructure in the region, citing ongoing and planned works on the Sembabule–Matete–Mbirizi and Matete–Kibinge–Kyabakuza road corridors. The roads are expected to ease transport of agricultural produce and improve market access.
Museveni emphasized that development alone cannot lift households out of poverty unless families make deliberate efforts to generate income. He illustrated this with a personal example from the early 1990s.
“When I bought land in Kisozi in 1990, there were no roads or electricity. But by the time those services came, wealth was already in place,” he said.
According to the President, infrastructure should be viewed as an enabler—not a substitute—for hard work, enterprise, and planning at household level.
“Every household must therefore take responsibility for its income,” Museveni concluded.
