In a recent address on Thursday evening, President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated the significance of household incomes as a fundamental driver of wealth creation.
While delivering his address on wealth creation from the State House, President Museveni emphasized that house hold income is more important than infrastructural development because having money in one’s pocket holds greater value than the presence of smooth roads.
“Whereas infrastructural development is an important aspect of a country, it doesn’t supersede the need for personal money, you are better off with money in your pocket than a smooth road.” he said
Adding that: “Here in Uganda, we have got almost everything. Concentrate on the issue of homestead income. Seek yee first the homestead income, the rest will be easier” Museveni said.
Museveni seized the opportunity to rally citizens towards the nation’s plan of prioritizing commercial agriculture, particularly through the implementation of ekibaro, a strategy focused on production and value addition.
He further revealed that the ultimate aim is to achieve a $500 million economy, emphasizing the need for a robust economic foundation rooted in agricultural prosperity.
Drawing from his own experiences in farming, President Museveni highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous Ankole cattle while advocating for a shift towards “semi-modernized” cattle keeping methods.
He shared insights from his own farm in Kisozi, where he practices extensive agriculture, clearing bushes to accommodate up to 300 cows per square mile.
Encouraging farmers to adapt their methods according to land size, Museveni suggested extensive agriculture for those with ample land, promoting the cultivation of crops like sugar cane and tobacco for lucrative returns. For smaller landholders, he advocated for intensive agriculture to generate substantial income.
“Use extensive agriculture for the ones with big pieces of land. [Grow] sugar cane, tobacco…and you will get good money. But if you do not have big pieces of land, do intensive agriculture to give you some good income,” said Museveni
In a notable directive, President Museveni urged locals in the cattle corridor to transition from Ankole cattle to dairy breeds such as Friesians, particularly for those not solely reliant on livestock for survival.
“Leave Ankole cows for those who have money and not under pressure looking for survival. Go to the Friesians. Go to the dairy cows.” he added