President Yoweri Museveni has urged young people to take advantage of the country’s expanding infrastructure, markets and government wealth-creation programmes to build businesses, create jobs and achieve economic independence.
President Museveni made the call on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in his International Youth Day message, delivered under the theme “Empowering Young People for Inclusive Wealth.” He said the theme reflects the need for young Ugandans to move beyond dependence and actively participate in building household and national wealth.
Museveni argued that Uganda has overcome several constraints that previously slowed economic growth, pointing to improvements in political stability, human capital, infrastructure and market access.
He said Uganda now has a domestic market of about 46 million people, up from 14 million in 1986, while membership in the East African and African markets provides access to more than 500 million and 1.4 billion people, respectively.
“Let everyone wake up and utilize the above advantages to create wealth and jobs,” Museveni said, identifying commercial agriculture, industry, services and information and communications technology (ICT) as key sectors through which Ugandans can generate wealth.
The President distinguished between economic development and household wealth, arguing that public investments such as roads, electricity, piped water, schools and health centres improve living conditions but do not automatically put money in individual households.
“Development alone will not put food on your table or money in your pocket. What comes into your house is wealth,” he said.
Government funds are seed capital, Museveni says
Museveni said the government would continue providing capital to Ugandans engaged in wealth creation through programmes including Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the Youth Fund.
He cautioned beneficiaries against treating the funds as handouts for consumption, saying they are intended to provide seed capital for enterprises that generate income, produce goods and services and improve livelihoods.
The President also called on young people to develop practical skills and organize themselves into enterprise groups so they can make productive use of available financing opportunities.
Museveni warns youth against indiscipline
Museveni linked economic productivity to personal discipline, warning young people against drug use, alcohol abuse and promiscuity, which he said can undermine health, mental clarity and productivity.
He also urged the youth to reject what he described as “parasitism” and expectations of receiving money without working for it.
“Hard work, self-reliance and productivity are the hallmarks of patriotic citizens,” he said, citing Japan as an example of a country that built economic strength through hard work, discipline and skills development despite limited natural resources.
Museveni said Uganda has significant advantages, including abundant land, favourable weather, a young population and peace, and argued that these conditions should provide a foundation for greater participation in economic production.
He urged young Ugandans to acquire practical skills, form enterprise groups, access government capitalization programmes and contribute to building what he described as a “strong, self-reliant Uganda.”
The President concluded his message by wishing Ugandans peaceful International Youth Day celebrations.
