Generation Z (Gen Z) youth yesterday celebrated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 82nd birthday at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, embracing his message of patriotism, wealth creation, skilling, value addition and socio-economic transformation.
The celebrations brought together Gen Z youth, government leaders and other stakeholders, with speakers highlighting the importance of empowering young people to participate in Uganda’s economic transformation.
In a message delivered by Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo, President Museveni said Uganda’s stability, good governance and socio-economic progress were increasingly evident across the country, noting that the country was steadily progressing towards a middle-income economy.
The President urged Gen Z and all Ugandans to embrace the principles of enlightenment, ideology, nationalism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy as key pillars for Uganda’s continued development.
On nationalism, President Museveni said patriotism requires Ugandans to love their country, remain united and recognise the contribution of every citizen regardless of age, tribe, gender, religion, region or social status.
He called for an end to discrimination and tribalism, in line with the African Union Agenda 2063 principle of leaving no one behind.
The President also emphasised the importance of Pan-Africanism, saying Africa’s large market provides Uganda with an opportunity to expand trade, increase production and create economic opportunities.
“We need a larger market of 1.3 billion people — an African continental market for the excess products which we are producing across the country,” he said.
President Museveni further called for continued industrialisation and value addition to create jobs for young people, enable Uganda to export finished products and earn more from the international market.
On socio-economic transformation, the President said wealth creation was the responsibility of every Ugandan, urging the 33 percent of households that are still outside the money economy to join it and actively participate in productive economic activities.
“No one should be a spectator in the wealth creation process,” he said.
He also called for an end to corruption and urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to continue guiding Ugandans on available opportunities for wealth creation.
The President identified commercial agriculture, industry, services and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among the key sectors through which Ugandans can create wealth and jobs.
On democracy, President Museveni urged Ugandans to responsibly guard the country’s democratic gains and exercise their rights and responsibilities within the law.
“Always remember that rights come with responsibilities and respect for humanity,” he said.
On her part, H.E Alupo thanked the organisers for celebrating President Museveni’s birthday, saying the occasion was an opportunity to reflect on his leadership and its contribution to Uganda’s development.
She commended the President’s emphasis on ensuring that Ugandans participate in national development through wealth creation, education, skilling and other government programmes.
H.E Alupo said the country’s young people should embrace opportunities created through government programmes and work together to consolidate Uganda’s development gains.
She also emphasised the importance of the East African Community and the wider African market, saying expanded markets are important for supporting Uganda’s production and creating opportunities for young people.
The Vice President called for continued value addition to Uganda’s raw materials to create jobs and increase the country’s earnings from its products.
She further encouraged Ugandans, particularly young people, to embrace wealth-creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model and ensure that households still outside the money economy become active participants in economic activity.
The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Minsa Kabanda, congratulated President Museveni upon reaching 82 years and wished him many more years.
She called on Gen Z to embrace the President’s message on wealth creation and make use of available opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
The State Minister for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatisation, Hon. Amina Mukalazi, also congratulated President Museveni, describing him as a “walking history.”
She commended the President for the peace and stability in the country and highlighted government initiatives in education, including Universal Primary Education (UPE).
The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Mercy Lakisa, thanked President Museveni for the peace and stability prevailing in Uganda, saying the celebrations provided an opportunity for the younger generation to appreciate his contribution to the country.
She identified unemployment and limited ideological orientation among challenges facing young people and commended government programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga and skilling centres for creating opportunities for youth.
Hon. Lakisa challenged young Ugandans to recognise their responsibility in shaping the country’s future, urging them to work hard, remain united and protect Uganda’s development gains.
Mr. Gumisiriza Ian Jeremiah, the Special Presidential Assistant on the Informal Sector, said the informal sector had dedicated September to activities celebrating President Museveni’s birthday.
He said Gen Z had chosen to mark the occasion through activities intended to benefit communities, including a blood donation drive aimed at saving lives.
Mr. Gumisiriza said young entrepreneurs were also embracing President Museveni’s message on value addition, with Gen Z businesses exhibiting products at the celebrations.
On behalf of Gen Z, he thanked President Museveni and the NRM Government for programmes such as Universal Primary Education, wealth-creation initiatives and skilling centres, which he said had opened opportunities for young Ugandans.
The National Chairperson of Gen Z, Israel Kyarisima, called on young Ugandans to take responsibility for shaping their future rather than merely demanding better opportunities.
Kyarisima urged the youth to embrace the seven pillars of the qualitative leap that President Museveni has been promoting during the campaigns, saying this would enable young people to transform their lives and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
The celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds brought together Gen Z youth, government leaders and other stakeholders, with participants using the occasion to reflect on President Museveni’s leadership and emphasise the importance of wealth creation, value addition, skilling, patriotism and productive participation in Uganda’s economy.
