Serere, Uganda — In a powerful call to action, Hisexcellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the people of Teso to strategically choose high-value enterprises that will propel them out of poverty and lay the foundation for long-term economic prosperity.
The President made these remarks during his ongoing wealth creation assessment program in Teso Sub-region, where he emphasized the importance of making informed, sustainable business decisions.
Addressing a crowd in Serere district on the 18 November 2024, Museveni warned against the dangers of engaging in businesses without thorough consideration of their viability.
He likened poor business choices to being “one-eyed,” stressing that making the wrong decision could lead to disaster, while the right choice would open doors to opportunities both locally and internationally.
“We must carefully choose the right enterprises, or else it’s like being one-eyed. If one eye goes, you’re blind,” Museveni said, underscoring the critical need for well-informed and strategic decisions in business.
The President pointed to several key sectors with vast market potential, urging Teso residents to invest in industries such as coffee, dairy farming, poultry, piggery and fish farming.
Museveni’s message was clear and he specifically endorsed the agricultural sector as a powerful tool for economic change in Uganda, particularly for rural areas.
The President recommended focusing on products with high regional and international demand, such as coffee, fruits, and dairy products.
He further suggested that households consider planting a combination of cash crops and food crops to ensure both economic returns and food security. One-acre projects — such as one acre of coffee, one acre of fruits, one acre for pasture to support dairy farming, and one acre for food crops — were highlighted as sustainable ways to increase household incomes and support family nutrition.
While highlighting the potential of agriculture, Museveni also acknowledged the ongoing challenge of land fragmentation in Teso.
He pointed out that the division of family land through generations has reduced the size of plots, making it difficult for young people to make a sustainable living from farming.
Museveni encouraged the people of Teso to come together and find solutions to this issue, possibly by organizing land inheritance in such a way that prevents further physical fragmentation.
He also highlighted that his administration was working on policies to secure land rights and promote productive use for future generations.
Alongside Museveni’s focus on sustainable agriculture, the region’s cattle economy also came under discussion.
Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, who hails from Teso, brought attention to the urgent need for cattle restocking programs in the region.
Teso, traditionally known for its cattle farming, has faced severe challenges due to livestock loss and insufficient breeding centers.
She thanked the President for his previous efforts in supporting livestock restocking and assured the people that this issue would be addressed in the next financial year’s budget.
Among also raised concerns over budget cuts for compensation to war victims in the region, urging the government to restore the original 50 billion Ugandan shillings allocation for this purpose, which had been reduced to 30 billion shillings.
Responding to the concerns raised by Speaker Among and others, President Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to addressing Teso’s challenges, including improving infrastructure, supporting livestock restocking and securing land for future generations.
Museveni’s ongoing wealth creation program is part of a broader initiative aimed at empowering Ugandans to take control of their economic futures by focusing on high-potential enterprises and addressing key regional challenges such as land fragmentation and insufficient livestock.
As his visit to Teso continues, the President’s message is clear: strategic investments in agriculture and livestock could pave the way for economic growth in the region, but the people of Teso must choose wisely to ensure lasting prosperity.
