KAMPALA — Generation Z (Gen Z) youth on Saturday celebrated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 82nd birthday at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, with speakers highlighting patriotism, wealth creation, skilling, value addition and socio-economic transformation.
The celebrations brought together Gen Z youth, government leaders and other stakeholders, with speakers urging young people to take an active role in Uganda’s economic transformation.
In a message delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo, President Museveni said Uganda’s stability, good governance and socio-economic progress were increasingly evident across the country, noting that Uganda was steadily progressing towards a middle-income economy.
The President urged Gen Z and other Ugandans to embrace enlightenment, ideology, nationalism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy as key pillars of Uganda’s continued development.
On nationalism, 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.
On Pan-Africanism, Museveni said Africa’s large market presents 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.
Museveni also called for continued industrialisation and value addition to create jobs for young people, enable Uganda to export finished products and increase earnings from international markets.
On socio-economic transformation, the President said wealth creation was the responsibility of every Ugandan and urged the 33 percent of households that remain outside the money economy to join it and 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.
Museveni 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, the President urged Ugandans to responsibly safeguard the country’s democratic gains while exercising their rights and responsibilities within the law.
“Always remember that rights come with responsibilities and respect for humanity,” he said.
Alupo Urges Youth to Embrace Opportunities
Vice President Alupo thanked the organisers for celebrating the President’s birthday, saying the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on his leadership and its contribution to Uganda’s development.
She commended Museveni’s emphasis on ensuring that Ugandans participate in national development through wealth creation, education, skilling and other government programmes.
Alupo urged young people to embrace opportunities created through government programmes and work together to consolidate Uganda’s development gains.
She also highlighted the importance of the East African Community and the wider African market, saying expanded markets are essential 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 earnings from Ugandan products.
She further encouraged Ugandans, particularly young people, to participate in wealth-creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model and ensure that households still outside the money economy become active participants in economic activity.
Leaders Call for Youth Participation
Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda congratulated Museveni on his 82nd birthday and wished him many more years.
She called on Gen Z youth to embrace the President’s message on wealth creation and make use of available opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
State Minister for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatisation Amina Mukalazi also congratulated Museveni, describing him as a “walking history.”
Mukalazi commended the President for the peace and stability in the country and highlighted government initiatives in education, including Universal Primary Education (UPE).
State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Mercy Lakisa thanked Museveni for what she described as the peace and stability prevailing in Uganda, saying the celebrations gave the younger generation an opportunity to reflect on his contribution to the country.
She identified unemployment and limited ideological orientation as some of the challenges facing young people and cited government programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga and skilling centres as initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for youth.
Lakisa urged young Ugandans to recognise their responsibility in shaping the country’s future, work hard, remain united and protect Uganda’s development gains.
Gen Z Highlights Wealth Creation and Skilling
Gumisiriza Ian Jeremiah, the Special Presidential Assistant on the Informal Sector, said the informal sector had dedicated September to activities celebrating Museveni’s birthday.
He said Gen Z had marked the occasion through activities intended to benefit communities, including a blood donation drive.
Gumisiriza said young entrepreneurs were also embracing Museveni’s message on value addition, with Gen Z businesses exhibiting products at the celebrations.
On behalf of Gen Z, he thanked Museveni and the NRM Government for programmes including Universal Primary Education, wealth-creation initiatives and skilling centres, which he said had opened opportunities for young Ugandans.
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 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 highlighting wealth creation, value addition, skilling, patriotism and productive participation in Uganda’s economy.