President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today called for renewed commitment to the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s six-point agenda, describing it as the cornerstone of Uganda’s transformation journey.

The agenda focuses on peace, wealth creation, development, job creation, access to markets, and delivery of essential services.

The President made the remarks while addressing a gathering which included beneficiaries of the Emyooga program in Entebbe Municipality.

This was shortly after visiting Ms. Priscilla Mwirumubi, a women's hair salon owner and proud beneficiary of the Emyooga program.

Earlier in the day, he had made a stopover in Nakasozi Village, Ziba Ward, Kasanje Town Council, on his way to visit Ms. Jacklet Atuhaire, a model farmer in Busiro South, as part of his ongoing wealth creation assessment tour.

This marked the third day of the President’s field tour, which began on Monday, aimed at tracking progress of government-backed initiatives like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), and their impact on transforming ordinary Ugandans into income earners.

“Today, we are focusing on Emyooga but I want to re-emphasize the NRM guidance. Our foundation has always been built on six important things: peace, wealth, development, jobs, markets, and services,” President Museveni said.

President Museveni also stressed that peace remains the most fundamental pillar.

“Peace first, we cannot tolerate anyone that wants to disrupt our peace. There’s no war in Uganda and I assure you, no one can bring war here. The UPDF is strong. Anyone who dares will be defeated quickly.”

The President further noted that physical infrastructure alone is not enough if individual households remain poor.

“You can have tarmac roads and electricity, but if there’s no money in the home, what good is that? That’s why we say development without wealth is defective.”

He recalled his early years in Rwakitura, his country home searching for pasture, not electricity or roads.

“At the time When I went to Rwakitura, there was no tarmac road or electricity, what I was looking for was pasture for my cows because cows don’t eat tarmacked roads or electricity. You can see that there was no development but there was wealth and of course later on, electricity came and other things but they found when I was already wealthy so that is why you people who miss my wealth message are missing something,” he said.

Citing traditional wisdom from his Banyankole heritage, President Museveni elaborated on the concept of Okwombeka which means to build.

“Okwombeka is not just about building a house. It’s about building a life, creating wealth, marrying, raising children, and then putting up a house. But when I came here, I found that many people, especially leaders only talk about roads and electricity,” President Museveni said.

“Each home must work for wealth,” he emphasized.

President Museveni also applauded Emyooga and the Parish Development Model as critical tools to lift families out of poverty.

“That’s why we introduced Entandikwa, Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation, PDM, microfinance and others. All of them are designed to create wealth at the household level,” he said.

The President encouraged citizens to participate in these programs and be guided by informed and accountable leaders.

“I am in government, but I’m far from you. You need leaders who can speak for you in Parliament. Elect people who will demand what you need,” President Museveni urged.

Real stories of transformation in Entebbe:

At an earlier engagement in Kitoro, Entebbe Municipality, President Museveni visited a hair salon owned by Ms. Priscilla Mwirumubi, a beneficiary of Emyooga, through the Entebbe Diva Salon Operators Emyooga SACCO.

“We never thought we would benefit this much from Emyooga. Our group received Shs30 million, and I personally got Shs1 million after saving just Shs350,000. That changed everything for me,” she said.

President Museveni praised her initiative and impact.

“This girl, Mwirumubi, created wealth out of nothing. Now she’s employing five people. When we talk about jobs, we cannot separate them from wealth creation,” he said.

Another proud beneficiary, Ms. Harriet Nantarima, chairperson of the hardware operators SACCO in Entebbe, also testified.

“I borrowed Shs3 million and invested it in my hardware business worth Shs20 million. We also produce books as a group, but we need support with machines,” she said.

President Museveni noted that testimonies like Nantarima’s demonstrate the true impact of government support.

“That’s why I have come here not just to speak, but to wake people up,” he added.

President Museveni said the NRM had expanded job opportunities through factories, skilling hubs and commercial agriculture.

“Factory jobs today employ 1 million people, the government employs 480,000, and the service sector employs 5 million. This is why I urge you to get involved,” President Museveni said.

He emphasized that Uganda now produces many goods it once imported, a shift that has created jobs and market for local products.

A call to elect leaders who care:

President Museveni also urged citizens to be deliberate in choosing their representatives.

“The good thing is that you are here and the NRM is here. Don’t be like orphans without guidance. Choose leaders who care,” he added.

Additionally, President Museveni pledged to improve road infrastructure in the area, recalling his historical connection to the route.

“I passed through this Mpigi–Kasanje–Nakawuka–Kisubi road in 1979 and again in 1986 during the liberation struggle. I know this road very well,” he said.

He revealed that the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, had informed him that a Chinese contractor, CCCC, had been secured and that preparatory work had begun.

“Katumba has informed me that the contractor has already started preliminary works, and in four months, they will begin tarmacking the road. It will be completed in 18 months,” he announced.