Museveni Commends Uganda’s Progress in Employment and Economic Resilience as NRM Marks 38 Years

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed the nation, yesterday evening
extending congratulations to all Ugandans upon NRM/NRA day observed annually on the 26th of January as a public holiday.

In his address, last evening President Museveni expressed heartfelt condolences to the Ogwal family and the entire nation following the passing of Hon. Cecilia Atim Barbra Ogwal, his sister. Commending her as a Patriotic Leader, he highlighted her unwavering love for Uganda beyond political affiliations, recognizing her significant contributions to the unity and development of the nation.

Shifting focus to the employment landscape in Uganda, President Museveni underscored the recovery of formal employment from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the Pay-as-You-Earn (PAYE) register witnessed a substantial growth of 14.1 percent, expanding from 1,422,857 employees in the financial year 2021/22 to 1,624,072 in 2022/23.

The President elucidated key factors contributing to job creation in the country:

Uganda Development Bank (UDB) Loans: Projects funded by UDB resulted in the creation of 41,338 jobs, a significant increase from 24,013 jobs in 2020. Notably, 62 percent of these positions were occupied by youth, underscoring a commitment to empower the younger generation.

Free Zones Authority: The Free Zones Authority played a pivotal role in generating employment, witnessing the creation of 9,421 jobs, up from 8,958 in the financial year 2020/21. This growth signals positive economic development within the free zones.

Parish Development Model (PDM): A noteworthy initiative, the PDM, has benefited 1,627,307 members from 148,320 enterprise groups across the nation, contributing to inclusive economic growth at the grassroots level.

Emyooga: By December 2022, Emyooga had generated 378,640 jobs, up from 338,824 in March 2022. The regions of Kigezi, Acholi, and Lango recorded the highest number of jobs created, highlighting regional disparities in employment.

President Museveni also shared encouraging developments in pension scheme subscriptions, noting a 2.24 percent increase. The number of working Ugandans subscribing to at least one pension scheme rose from 2,949,715 in 2020/21 to 3,015,807 in 2021/22, reflecting a growing awareness and participation in long-term financial planning.

President Museveni’s address also celebrated the nation’s achievements on the 38th NRM Victory Anniversary while emphasizing the ongoing efforts to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance social welfare in Uganda. The outlined initiatives and positive trends in employment and pension subscriptions indicate a resilient and progressive trajectory for the nation.