President Museveni has noted that even as mass education and getting every adult into the money economy are key to achieving the much-desired socioeconomic transformation, the elite group is fighting government’s free education program.
The Head of State said NRM introduced free education in government schools after realizing that when people are educated, it is much easier to know what to do than when they are not educated. He however, noted that the elite group is against free education leading to many kids missing out on education.
“The school managers who are not supervised properly by their leaders introduced charges and that is how children drop out of school and some of those who drop out are girls” he noted while addressing crowds that attended the International Women’s Day national celebrations at Boma grounds in Katakwi district under the theme “Accelerating Gender Equality Through Women Economic Empowerment”
A tough-talking Museveni vowed that his government is soon introducing a new campaign to enforce free education in schools.
General Museveni gave unpaid for advice to the women’s movement to ensure free education for all in order to set the girl child free from any impediments.
“To consolidate the emancipation of the girl child, you must insist on the free education in government schools. The rich people can take their children to private schools,” he said.
STOP WORKING FOR THE STOMACH ALONE
The Commander-in-Chief added that if we want the whole society including women to move, there’s need to abandon the phenomenon of working only for the stomach.
He said the NRM program of working for food and income security with ekibaaro is the super bullet that should be implemented.
“Ensure that families get involved in commercial agriculture with ekibaaro, in artisanship and industries, services and ICT. This is the way to empower women and also men.” he counseled amid wild cheers from his voters, adding that though there may be some residual problems of balancing, if the whole society has moved progressively, it is very easy to deal with the challenges of women.
“Once families develop, even this issue of women emancipation will not be there. Women emancipation must be organic not through legislation,” he said.
Museveni noted that there have been success stories of socio-economic transformation in the country, citing in the cattle corridor where the families have moved out of poverty because of commercialisation and industrialisation of the dairy sector. In Kalangala; Jjajja Museveni, people have moved out of poverty due to the oil palm project while in Bundibugyo people have kicked poverty out of their homes courtesy of cocoa, palm oil and coffee growing.
As for Itesots, Museveni brought smiles on their faces after he assured them that the his government is going to expand the fruit factory in Soroti so that it is able to buy all their citrus.
“In addition to citrus, I want to encourage fish and dairy farming, then poultry and those who want pigs can go for them also.” The First citizen of the country said.
THANK YOU VP ALUPO FOR THE JOB WELL DONE
A very jovial Museveni showered praises on one the Iteso girl children who is also his 2iC, H.E Maj. Jessica Alupo for leading an economic war in Teso and acting as a role model for the girl child.
General Museveni who is also now the chairman of the influential Non-Alligned Movement and G-77+China, assured the nation that his Vice President Alupo has been pivotal in the development of Uganda.
Museveni told the cheerful gathering that Alupo who is also Katakwi district woman MP had excelled in her efforts of empowering women and described her a beacon of dedication.
Gen. Museveni wore a smiling face as he informed the crowds that the Vice President has been resilient and committed to serving the nation.
So excited he was about her work, that the Head of State bestowed upon an equally jovial Alupo a prestigious medal called Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa, an accolade that is the highest civilian honor in the land. Alupo’s medal now puts her in the same ranks with key great sons of Africa who have been awarded this accolade including former Tanzanian Statesmen Dr. Julius Nyerere, Jakaya Kikwete, Equatorial Guinea president Nguema, Zimbabwean president Emerson Mnangagwa, Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed among others.
This accolade is a confirmation of what Museveni said of Alupo some time in 2018 in Bugisu as he attended the Hero’s day celebrations. Museveni informed the crowds that Alupo had excelled as a military person especially after she performed miracles during the training. The CiC said Alupo had exhibited discipline throughout the training but most importantly, she passed a very risky part of the training for the women involving walking on the rope. We’re also told a brave Alupo, also carried a ‘dead brigadier’ which in military training means carrying several kilos of stones in a sack and move with them on your back for over 30kms without a rest.
Museveni noted the importance of recruiting women in the national forces which never used to be the case like in the 1978/79 war against Idi Amin.
“Following the defeat of Idi Amin, the challenge arose when forming a unified army with other groups, as some undermined the role of women within the military. Nevertheless, we affirmed that women were capable marksmen, dispelling any doubts about their abilities.Now you can see all this compound is full of women,” Gen. Museveni observed, adding that;
“When you talk about stability now in Uganda, we have a stronger army, strong national institutions, and a strong political party that can win in the first round with more than 60%,”
UGANDA ON TRACK
On the issue of political leadership, the President said Uganda is one of the few countries that has embraced women in key leadership positions.
President Museveni also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at building capacity and supporting women entrepreneurs under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project.
At least Shs9 billion GROW funds was also given out to women in business in four districts of Katakwi, Kaabong, Lira and Amuria.
VP ALUPO THANKS GEN. MUSEVENI
Meanwhile, a jovial Alupo praised President Museveni for his dedicated and strategic leadership that she said has enabled the promotion of women emancipation and empowerment.
“I congratulate you, Your Excellency and all the people of Uganda upon commemorating the International Women’s Day 2024. Your Excellency, this year’s theme resonates very well with the strides the NRM government has made in the inclusivity of women and girls in the development of the country,” H.E Alupo said.
She added that women and girls are the biggest beneficiaries of peace and security ushered in by Museveni.
Alupo noted that access to Education through UPE and USE is the component that has brought the girl children to the limelight and has enabled them to compete favourably with men.
The Vice President also noted that the special development programs put up by the NRM government have enabled women to manage and grow their businesses, thus promoting economic prosperity.
“The NRM government also came up with conducive laws that have enabled women to get protection from abuse.” H.E Alupo said further pledged to the President that as women, they are committed to continue working with the government to socially and economically transform Uganda.
“We do commit to continue extending our support to you in the 2026 elections,” she emphasized amid a thunderous applause from her own voters and the crowds that attended.
During the same event, 53 exemplary Ugandans were awarded for their immense contribution to Uganda.
The function was also attended by the Chief Justice, His Lordship, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, Ministers, Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, religious and traditional leaders, among other dignitaries.