Museveni Warns Guild Presidents Against Violence, Urges Focus on Service and Wealth Creation

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned young people, particularly university student leaders, against engaging in violence and identity-based politics, urging them instead to channel their energy into serving the country and driving wealth creation.

The President made the remarks after a meeting with Kampala National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Nakawa, followed by an engagement with university guild presidents at State Lodge Nakasero, where he was joined by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni.

Addressing the student leaders, President Museveni reminded them that youthfulness should not be wasted on endless partying, but rather used productively in national service and economic transformation.

“Youthfulness is a great resource. It should not be squandered in violence, sectarianism or identity politics, but invested in building the country,” Museveni said.

The President emphasized that Uganda’s development path lies in wealth creation through the four key sectors of agriculture, industry, services and information and communication technology (ICT). He noted that while production has significantly increased, access to markets remains a critical challenge.

“Production without markets is useless,” Museveni stressed, citing Uganda’s current surpluses in sugar, maize and milk. “These surpluses must be sold for our people to earn incomes and create jobs.”

To address this, the President underscored the importance of regional integration, particularly through the East African Community (EAC), as a foundation for expanding markets and supporting mass production.

He added that deeper African unity under the vision of Pan-Africanism is essential for long-term shared prosperity.
“Regional integration gives us bigger markets, supports large-scale production, creates jobs and drives shared prosperity. That is why the EAC and, later, Pan-Africanism are not optional—they are a necessity,” Museveni said.

The engagement forms part of President Museveni’s continued outreach to youth leaders as Uganda approaches a politically active period, with the President consistently advocating for peace, stability and economic empowerment as the pillars of national progress.