By Walter Okello I 1st May 2026
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to focus on human capital enhancement and optimal utilisation of the country’s vast arable land to create employment and drive productivity, as the nation marked International Labour Day.
Speaking during the national celebrations held at Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary School grounds, Matale,in Buikwe District, President Museveni emphasised commercial agriculture as a key pathway to generating surplus job opportunities for the population.
The President highlighted successful agricultural models as proof that strategic land use can transform livelihoods citing Richard Nyakana from Fort Portal, who employs 15 people on just one acre through integrated poultry and dairy farming enterprises and also Johnson Basangwa of Kamuli District (Jeka Poultry Farm), a large-scale poultry operator who has built a significant business and employs hundreds while generating substantial daily revenue.
Museveni noted that if Ugandans productively utilise only 7 million acres out of the country’s approximately 40 million acres of arable land, the commercial agriculture sector alone could create about 105 million jobs assuming each acre supports around 15 jobs, based on models like Nyakana’s one-acre farm.
“Uganda has enormous potential right here at home,” the President said, urging citizens to shift focus toward available wealth and job creation opportunities within the country rather than looking elsewhere.
President Museveni drew lessons from developed nations, particularly Japan, which has leveraged its comparative advantages to generate wealth and employment for its people.
“Lets us adopt a similar strategic mindset tailored to the country’s strengths in agriculture and human resources.” He emphasized.
To support these efforts, the President advised business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of government-backed low-interest financing schemes citing Uganda Development Bank (UDB) low-interest loans for business proprietors seeking to expand their enterprises.
He confirmed that annual allocations under the Parish Development Model will increase from UGX 100 million to UGX 200 million in the next financial year, a move intended to expand support for low-income earners and small-scale entrepreneurs.
The President further encouraged citizens to take advantage of government-backed low-interest financing schemes designed to support business growth.
For established business owners seeking to scale up their enterprises, he recommended accessing low-interest loans through the Uganda Development Bank.
This year’s International Labour Day was commemorated under the theme: “Safeguarding Uganda’s Progress, Empowering the Workforce and Promoting Decent Work for Competitive Enterprises.”