President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to work toward achieving riches for everybody in order to address the difficulties facing women.

“We’re moving well, but we need to move quicker. We desire wealth for all of us. If we have enough riches for everyone, women will not have any obstacles. “We will not sell our girls for bride price,” President Museveni stated.

The President made the statements today while officiating at the International Women’s Day 2024 celebrations at Boma Grounds in Katakwi District.

The events had the theme “Accelerating Gender Equality Through Women’s Economic Empowerment”.

According to the President, many households have the ability to become wealthy because they own land, and they must exploit that natural resource to combat underdevelopment through commercial agriculture and “ekibaaro” (calculation).

“Once families evolve, the subject of women’s independence will no longer exist. Women’s emancipation must be organic, not by legislation, he stated.

The President also urged leaders to work towards altering Ugandans’ lives, emphasizing that the much-needed socioeconomic revolution can only be done through two means: mass education and integrating every adult into the money economy.

“Educated people are considerably more likely to know what to do than uneducated people. That is why the NRM implemented free education in government schools.However, the elite faction opposes free education. School managers that are not properly controlled by their bosses implemented charges, which is how youngsters drop out of school, with some of them being girls. “We will soon launch a new campaign to ensure free education in schools,” he stated.

President Museveni also exhorted the women’s movement to promote free education for all in order to liberate the girl child from all constraints.

“To reinforce the freedom of the girl child, you must insist on free education in public schools. “The wealthy can enroll their children in private schools,” he continued.

“The Second Channel eliminates the phenomenon of functioning exclusively for the stomach. If you want the entire society to move, including women, follow the NRM’s policy of working for food and economic security through ekibaaro. Ensure that households participate in commercial agriculture through ekibaaro, artisanship, industries, services, and ICT. This is the way to empower both women and men.”

President Museveni went on to say that while there may be some lingering balancing issues, if the entire society has progressed, dealing with women’s obstacles will be much easier.

“There have been successful stories of socioeconomic development in the country. Families in the cattle corridor have moved out of poverty as a result of the dairy sector’s industrialization and industrialisation. residents in Kalangala have moved out of poverty as a result of the oil palm initiative, while residents in Bundibugyo have moved out of poverty as a result of cocoa, palm oil, and coffee cultivation.

President Museveni, on the other hand, informed the people of Teso that the government will enlarge the fruit plant in Soroti so that it can purchase all of their citrus.

“In addition to citrus, I want to encourage fish and dairy farming, then poultry and those who want pigs can go for them also.”

The President also praised the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, for conducting an economic fight in Teso and serving as a role model for young girls.

President Museveni expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to attend International Women’s Day, which he described as a source of great delight.

“When I come for these occasions, I’m very happy to see what people were laughing at is now a serious movement,” H.E Museveni said, emphasizing the necessity of enlisting women in the national forces, which was never the case during the 1978/79 fight against Idi Amin.

“Following Idi Amin’s loss, a barrier arose in forging a unified army with other factions, as some questioned the role of women in the military. Nonetheless, we confirmed that women were capable marksmen, eliminating any questions about their talents.

“Now you can see that the entire compound is full of women,” General Museveni observed.

“When you talk about stability now in Uganda, we have a stronger army, strong national institutions, and a strong political party that can win in the first round with more than 60%,” said H.E. Museveni, the president of Uganda.

On the question of political leadership, the President stated that Uganda is one of the few countries that has accepted women in major leadership roles.

President Museveni also signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for the GROW project, which aims to create capacity and promote women entrepreneurs.

At least Shs9 billion GROW funding were also distributed to women in business in four districts: Katakwi, Kaabong, Lira, and Amuria.

During the same event, 53 outstanding Ugandans were honored for their significant contributions to Uganda.

Among others who received medals were H.E Jessica Alupo and Mr. Amos Mukisa, who followed and apprehended criminals who assassinated the Ndiga clan leader, Eng. Daniel Bbosa, who was shot dead last month outside his home in Lungujja, Rubaga Division.

Mr. Mukisa was accompanied by his colleague, Mr. Abdul Katabaazi, with whom they carried out the assignment. Mr. Katabaazi was awarded the Nalubaale medal by President Museveni on March 4, 2024, in State House in Entebbe, for his gallantry in apprehending the killers.

The Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, thanked President Museveni for his dedicated and strategic leadership in promoting women’s freedom and empowerment.

“I congratulate you, Your Excellency, and the people of Uganda on International Women’s Day 2024. Your Excellency, this year’s topic is particularly appropriate for the NRM government’s efforts to include women and girls in the country’s development,” H.E Alupo stated.

“The women and girls are the biggest beneficiaries of peace and security you have established in Uganda, access to Education through UPE and USE is the component that has brought the girl children to the limelight that has enabled them to compete favourably with men,” she said in a statement.

The Vice President further stated that the NRM government’s unique development programs have helped women run and build their enterprises, fostering economic success.

“The NRM government also came up with conducive laws that have enabled women to get protection from abuse.”

H.E Alupo also pledged to the President that as women, they will continue to work with the government to socially and economically develop Uganda.

“We do commit to continue extending our support to you in the 2026 elections,” she went on to say.

Hon. Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, stated that the NRM government’s policies and initiatives under President Museveni’s leadership supported affirmative action, which fostered women’s empowerment and liberation.

“You have always advised us to focus on tackling the root causes of women disempowerment and emphasise women empowerment,” stated the Minister of Women’s Affairs.

Affirmative action has paid off. Our mandate as Gender Ministry has allowed us to focus on programs that empower women, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and GROW, among others.

Hon. Amongi, on the other hand, explained that GROW aims to unlock the potential of Ugandan women entrepreneurs, and that the project supports a multi-sectoral program of customized services that empower women entrepreneurs and help them transition their businesses from micro to small and small to medium, as well as improve their productivity.

The Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, praised President Museveni for emphasizing women in the country’s socioeconomic development efforts.

“Your Excellency, as women of Uganda we are privileged to be here with you as we celebrate the contribution of women to the development of Uganda,” she went on to say.

“Ugandans are firmly behind you as you take the lead in transforming Uganda.”

Ms. Susan Namondo Ngongi, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, praised the Ugandan government on its progress toward gender equality and empowerment.

“Uganda’s legal structure is highly effective in fostering gender equality. We continue to invest in projects that truly empower women in Uganda. Ms. Namondo stated that the UN remains dedicated to working with the Ugandan government to accelerate the country’s progress.

H.E Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer, Austria’s Ambassador to Uganda, who represented Uganda’s development partners, praised President Museveni for his great interest in and steadfast support for gender equality in Uganda.

“Participation of women in socio-economic transformation is key in inclusive economic growth of the country,” she went on to say.

She did, however, point out that there are still certain gender inequalities in the labor force and economic empowerment, as well as other difficulties such as societal and cultural norms and gender-based violence, which impede women’s progress and advancement in the country.

“Advancing gender equality is a critical step toward achieving equitable growth,” Ambassador Yvonne stated.

“Together with the government of Uganda, we are committed to investing in gender equality to ensure that no one is left behind.”

Hajjat Faridah Kibowa, Chairperson of the National Women’s Council-Uganda, praised President Museveni for his consistent commitment to promoting women’s empowerment and emancipation in all aspects of society.

“I can assure you that the women are proud of you, and you remain as our choice in 2026,” she remarked.

“This year, the National Women’s Council celebrates 30 years of existence, and the council produces excellent women capital ready for your deployment any time,” she went on to say.

However, Hajjat Kibowa lamented Uganda’s ongoing problem with gender-based violence.

“To deal with this challenge we must advocate for programs that promote Gender equality and women empowerment,” she said.