Ibanda Municipality Member of Parliament, Tarsis Rwaburindore has challenged the youths in his constituency to shun activities like sports betting and instead venture in agriculture production.
The legislator said this on Tuesday while officiating at the launch of Abanya’Ibanda People’s Progressive Sacco.
Rwaburindore said he worries over youths who are joining betting for quick gains rather than embracing agriculture to grow themselves.
“In betting, there is no money for you to earn, you will only be donating your money to the owners of these betting companies, I hear they are Indians,” the MP said.
“Unfortunately for our youths, the money they take to these betting parlours is what they get from soliciting handouts from everyone”.
He revealed that his approach for development in Ibanda municipality is anchored on agriculture since the sector employs the majority of the population in Uganda. In Ibanda, however, he said, the percentage of those engaged in agriculture and livestock farming is even higher than the national percentage.
He appealed to the general public to start small and gradually grow their projects.
“Start small, you will steadily grow. Someone may start with a hen but ends up with herds of cattle and becomes a billionaire. Do not think that all those with money were born with it,” said the MP.
Mzee Jeeb Rwomushana, one of the Sacco members re-echoed the appeal made by the MP, urging youths to use their brains collectively to grow themselves.
“I want to tell the youths – you are not poor but it’s your heads that are poor. Development requires courage, determination then perseverance and endurance,” said Rwomushana.