President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated his call for wetland encroachers to vacate the natural resource peacefully.
Speaking on Saturday, at State Lodge Nakasero, during an address on wealth creation and other national issues, he emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting the environment.
“The government cannot look on as some people destroy the environment. Blaming NEMA for allowing people to settle in wetlands and later evicting them is a valid point, but it does not absolve encroachers and their supporters. Who doesn’t know what a wetland is? It is the duty of everyone to defend Uganda’s survival,” he said.
“All people in the wetlands should leave peacefully. You have done enough damage, and we are not prosecuting you; it’s an amnesty. We cannot compensate you for breaking the law. If we say that we will compensate, it encourages indiscipline. We have already compensated you by not prosecuting you, so you just go,” added Museveni.
President Museveni explained that while the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government often uses soft methods to solve problems, they take a decisive stand when the issue threatens Uganda’s survival. “When it comes to the environment, especially wetlands, water bodies, and natural forces, it is a matter of life and death,” he said. “60 percent of our rainfall comes from the oceans, and 40 percent comes from local water and forest bodies. Anyone who invades the lake shore, rivers, wetlands, or forests is working to turn Uganda into a desert.”
On the issue of wealth creation, President Museveni highlighted the strategic long-term goal of achieving total socio-economic transformation by building a modern society with a middle class and a skilled working class. “We developed a plan for a modern economy based on four money-making sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT,” he said.
He further disclosed that the NRM government’s strategic goal is to have every adult Ugandan of working age join one of these sectors as an owner or employee. “We have successfully achieved four phases: economic recovery, expanding the enclave of the 3Ts (Tea, Tobacco, and Tourism) and 3Cs (Coffee, Copper, and Cotton), diversifying products, and starting a knowledge economy using science to create products like vaccines, automobiles, and electronics.”
President Museveni noted that the manufacturing sector is doing well, exporting goods worth USD 2.5 billion per year and employing 922,000 people. “This is a new sector already earning more than coffee,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for economic and political integration in East Africa and across Africa to provide markets for Ugandan and African goods. “Milk production is 5.3 billion liters, but internal consumption is only 800 million liters. Maize production is 5 million tonnes, but internal consumption is only 1 million tonnes. It is a disaster for Africa’s future if young people only focus on European football. The future of Africa belongs here.”
The President advised young people to seek opportunities in the private sector rather than expecting numerous job opportunities in administration. “If you have a university degree, go into farming or start a business. There are endless jobs in the private sector.”
Finally, President Museveni cautioned against elements causing chaos in Uganda. “While we are busy creating wealth for Uganda, some, including opposition members, are working with foreigners to foment chaos through riots and illegal demonstrations,” he stressed.
“These people should check themselves, or we will have to check them. Don’t bring chaos and disrupt people’s livelihoods.”