Wakiso — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandan artisans and entrepreneurs to transition from individual operations to family- or group-owned companies as a strategy for ensuring sustainability, collective wealth creation, and intergenerational growth.
The President made the remarks during a visit to the Kigo Carpentry and Skilling Centre in Kigo Mutungo, Ndejje Parish, Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District, where the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, accompanied him.
The Kigo Centre, which is home to 588 members, offers vocational training in carpentry, metal fabrication, tailoring, and weaving. Before the visit, the President and his entourage inspected the ongoing Salaama Road construction project.
Speaking to the artisans, President Museveni urged them to abandon the traditional fragmented approach to business and instead embrace collective ownership models, particularly when it comes to managing land and other shared resources.
“I want to know who the owner is. You should consider forming a company and working together. This tendency to work individually is risky. I taught the Banyankore not to divide land during inheritance. Stay united and work as a family,” President Museveni advised.
He warned that land fragmentation leads to inefficiency, chaos, and stunted progress. Drawing on his example, he revealed that he and Maama Janet Museveni established a family company through which they contribute collectively and share profits.
“Europeans developed by forming companies through families. That’s how they advanced. Leave backwardness behind and embrace that model,” he emphasised.
Support for the Centre
The President pledged to support the Centre’s growth with both equipment and financial capital. He committed UGX 500 million to strengthen the SACCO, enhance production, and facilitate raw material procurement. He also promised to improve road access to ease transportation for customers and suppliers.
“All other issues are easy, but the formula for working together is what matters. If you get it right, everything else will follow,” he said.
The President directed Hon. Balaam Barugahara, State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, to work with the Centre’s leadership to streamline ownership structures, user fees, and training strategies to ensure long-term sustainability.
“Right now, you are training people for free. That’s not sustainable. You should have sponsors who pay fees to the centre. You are becoming donors; it’s too early for that. Let’s have a formula that benefits both trainers and trainees,” he added.
Acknowledgement of Government’s Support
Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, praised the President and First Lady for their continued support of youth-focused skilling initiatives.
“I remember how bad the situation was for these people in Nsambya. Your intervention turned their lives around,” she noted.
Mr. Ivan Ainebyoona, Chairperson of the Kigo Centre, expressed gratitude to the President for consistently standing with artisans through challenging times.
“Whenever it rained or the sun was too much, we were worried. But you came and rescued us. We now work with dignity. We are happy, and history will remember you,” Mr. Ainebyoona said.
He reaffirmed the Centre’s non-political, self-reliant mission, focused solely on improving livelihoods.
Mr. Majid Kigundu, the Centre’s Secretary-General, emotionally recounted their journey, which began in 2016 when a group of desperate carpenters blocked the President’s convoy in Munyonyo to seek help.
“We told you our story. We were struggling in Nsambya, being tossed around by KCCA. You listened and provided machines for carpentry and tailoring, UGX 100 million for our SACCO, and even told us you had sold your cows to buy this land for us,” Mr. Kigundu said.
“Today, we are paying taxes, training youth, and we have secured orders to supply beds for the Special Forces Command. We urge you to enforce the executive order on banning raw timber exports — we are ready to add value locally,” he added.
First Lady’s Commitment
Maama Janet Museveni pledged to rally schools and government agencies to support the Centre by sourcing furniture and other products locally.
The Kigo Carpentry and Skilling Centre was born out of hardship, resilience, and a moment of direct Presidential intervention. In 2016, artisans who had been repeatedly evicted by KCCA in Nsambya boldly stopped the President’s convoy.
Touched by their plight, President Museveni swiftly intervened, providing modern equipment, financial support, and purchasing land for them in Kigo. Today, it stands as a thriving hub for skilled artisans and a model of community transformation.
The event was also attended by: Hon. Balaam Barugahara, State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs; Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, Executive Director, KCCA; Mr. Benon Kigenyi, Deputy Executive Director, KCCA; Hon. Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde, NRM Director for Mobilisation; and Ms. Jane Barekye, State House Comptroller.