President Yoweri Museveni has called on leaders to educate citizens on maximizing their land for wealth creation rather than relying on a single economic activity. He made these remarks during his assessment tour of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the Lango sub-region.
During his visit to Jowel Okello, a model farmer in Amolatar District, the president praised him for transforming his family land into a prosperous enterprise. Okello, who started small, now owns over 300 cattle, along with goats, sheep, pigs, and various crops.
“I am pleased that Jowel is making the most of his land. Many Ugandans remain in poverty not because of a lack of resources but due to complacency,” Museveni stated.
He emphasized that while Uganda has abundant natural resources, poverty persists due to inaction. He urged leaders to champion household wealth creation alongside national infrastructure development.
Museveni pledged to support Okello by providing solar power, a water pump, a tractor, and access to electricity, which is currently five kilometers away. Additionally, he donated Shs10 million to 10 PDM beneficiaries who attended his address.
He also challenged Lango residents to diversify their income sources beyond fishing, emphasizing that lakes cannot sustain everyone.
“I want to know who should be on the lake and why. Just as the balaalo (cattle keepers) have sustained Uganda’s livestock, we must identify those responsible for conserving fish resources to ensure sustainability,” he said.
First Lady Applauds Family Collaboration in Wealth Creation
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, commended Okello and his wife for working together as a family to build wealth.
“They borrow money together, take responsibility for repaying it, and this strengthens their unity and hard work. Ugandan families must embrace this culture,” she said.
She noted that many Ugandan men still undermine women’s contributions, seeing them only as homemakers. However, she acknowledged a positive shift among younger men who now view their wives as partners in economic growth.
“If all families worked together as a unit, Uganda’s communities and economy would thrive,” she added.
Okello shared his story of overcoming poverty, recalling how he once sold alcohol to pay for school fees. Inspired by President Museveni’s wealth creation message, he chose to invest in agriculture instead of fragmenting his family land.
“This land must remain intact. Even if I am not here tomorrow, I urge my siblings not to divide it,” he emphasized.
Starting in 2016 after resigning from National Water, Okello grew his enterprise and now employs 18 permanent workers. He credits his success to mentorship from Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Balaba Muheesi, who motivated him to expand beyond fishing.
“I see people selling a cow for Shs 250,000 after two years, yet I sell an eight-month-old goat for Shs 500,000. Changing people’s mindsets is crucial,” he added.
Amolatar LC5 Chairman, Geoffrey Ocen Kiring, praised President Museveni for his commitment to wealth creation programs such as PDM, the Youth Livelihood Program, and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund.
He reported that Amolatar District received Shs17.6 billion, with Shs10.5 billion already disbursed to 10,800 households.
Additionally, Ocen requested the president’s intervention in upgrading Amolatar Health Centre IV into a general hospital to reduce referral costs and maternal mortality rates.
Museveni reassured residents of his commitment to regional development and urged them to take advantage of government programs to uplift their livelihoods.
