Kween, Uganda – President Yoweri Museveni has called on people of the Sebei sub-region to make use of the prevailing peace and development in the country for economic transformation to get out of poverty.

Speaking at a public rally in Kween District during his three-day tour to assess the implementation of the Parish Development Model and other wealth creation initiatives in the Sebei sub-region, the President clarified the difference between development and wealth.

“In the 1996 Manifesto, after critical analysis, we identified the need to differentiate between development and wealth. We called upon everybody to use peace and development to get out of poverty,” President Museveni said.

At the rally, the president spoke about how land use and farming methods can be used by the people to create wealth. He said that in some areas of Uganda, land is fragmented and requires different methods of farming.

People with a lot of land can practice extensive agriculture. They can grow crops like cotton, maize, or sugarcane on a large scale and earn substantial income. For example, if a person gets UGX 200,000 from one acre of cotton, they could earn UGX 2,000,000 from 10 acres and UGX 20,000,000 from 100 acres. Large-scale farming is suitable for people with vast land or government institutions like Prisons or the army,” he explained.

However, the president proposed intensive agriculture for those with small pieces of land.

“Small-scale farmers can invest in high-value activities. We proposed the four-acre model: one acre for coffee, one acre for fruits, one acre for dairy pasture, and one acre for food crops. Plus, in the backyard, they can raise poultry and pigs, or do fish farming alongside wetlands. With such diversification on small areas, farmers have chances of generating pretty substantial revenues,” he added.

President Museveni also flagged some of the government programmes geared at integrating Ugandans into the money economy.

“Over time, we supported households with programmes such as Entandikwa, NAADS, among others, but by 2013, only 32% of the population had become part of the money economy, and that is why Operation Wealth Creation was launched through the army to encourage people in their fight against poverty,” he said.

The head of state emphasized the need for the people to create wealth instead of relying on development projects such as roads and electricity.

“Development has been here for over 60 years, but poverty persists. Alongside tarmacked roads, you still find poor people. Development belongs to everyone, but poverty is personal. If you remain poor while I grow my wealth through farming, the poverty is yours alone,” he said.

President Museveni also called upon the people of Sebei to embrace government programmes such as the PDM, saying it is designed to involve all Ugandans in the money economy and warned against misuse of PDM funds.

“We’ve allocated money to every parish, but I’ve heard of some witch doctors stealing it. Also, banks were deducting transfer charges from the funds, but I’ll ensure the government covers these charges. We’ll also arrest officials who mismanage these funds,” he vowed.

Despite the challenges, the president expressed satisfaction with the progress in Sebei.

“I am happy to witness development here. Roads like the one from Kapchorwa to Suam, the extension of electricity in the region are key milestones,” he observed.

The rally was also graced by the NRM Vice Chairperson for the Eastern Region, Capt. Mike Mukula, who thanked President Museveni for his commitment to Uganda’s development.

“We appreciate the good work, including the Kapchorwa-Suam road and electricity projects. Thank you for coming to this region and advocating for the Parish Development Model,” Mukula said.

NRM leaders in the Sebei sub-region took advantage of the occasion to confirm President Museveni as their sole candidate for the 2026 presidential elections. In attendance was a team of ministers, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries.