KAMPALA, UGANDA – In a marked shift in tone, President Yoweri Museveni has warned that he will no longer be polite in his approach to addressing the country’s economic challenges, particularly wealth creation and job opportunities.
Speaking during the International Labour Day celebrations, President Museveni emphasized that jobs cannot exist without wealth, and therefore, the focus should be on creating modern wealth, not traditional wealth.
“I have been polite because I didn’t want to embarrass some people. In the coming days, I will stop being polite,” he said, hinting at a more assertive approach to tackling the issues.
The President drew a distinction between the class struggle in Europe, where imperialists exploited others, and the situation in Uganda, where a collective struggle is needed to create wealth.
“The issue here is to create wealth,” he stressed, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort to achieve economic prosperity.
This new stance is seen as a call to action for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and citizens to prioritize wealth creation and job opportunities, with the President himself taking a more decisive and assertive lead in driving this agenda.
The Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Esther Davinia Anyakun, on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, commended President Museveni for always sparing time to attend the Labour Day celebrations, explaining that the gesture demonstrates his commitment towards the welfare of workers in Uganda.
She also noted that the Ministry acknowledges the challenges of unemployment among Ugandans, and it has numerous initiatives set in place to deal with the issue. She highlighted the GROW project, the apprenticeship scheme to skill the youth to embark on entrepreneurial journey, labour externalisation, among other initiatives.
The Minister also said the Ministry has come up with the Uganda National Employment Strategy which diagnoses the challenges of the labour force in the country, and it will be taken to Cabinet for approval.
“I wish to extend my appreciation to our social partners for your work towards promoting social and labour justice,” she added.
The Ambassador of Belgium to Uganda, H.E Hugues Chantry thanked the Government of Uganda for putting in place a legal framework aimed at protecting the workers in the country.
He however raised concern over the numerous challenges that are still faced by the workers at their workplaces such as unfair wages, unfair dismissals, among others.
“The government of Belgium has been standing by the people of Uganda to improve the standards at the working places,” H.E Chantry.
Mr. Musa Okello, the Chairman General of National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) called for improved access to labour justice to promote labour productivity and economic growth.
He also appreciated President Museveni for the guaranteed peace and security in the country that has facilitated investment, thus promoting employment.
“Workers of Uganda are really grateful to you and your government for the various favourable labour laws,” he noted.
Mr. Okello also lauded President Museveni for the affirmative action that has enabled the special interest groups to compete favourably in the field of work.
The Chairperson of the Federation of Uganda Employers, Eng. Silver Mugisha thanked his fellow employers for creating jobs for Ugandans, a factor that has enabled the latter to sustain and improve their livelihoods.
“Employers play a pivotal role in the socio-economic transformation of our country,” Eng. Mugisha said.
“Your Excellency, we appreciate you for being a good listener. You always listen to our concerns,” he added.
Eng. Mugisha also thanked President Museveni for setting up the State House Investors Protection Unit and the CEO Forum, saying that the move clearly demonstrates the President’s resolve to fight corruption and accelerate investment in the country.
The event was also attended by the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the NRM 1st National Vice Chairperson, Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, among others.
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