By Caroline Nakire
Gen Z leaders and government officials cut a cake during celebrations to mark President Museveni’s 82nd birthday at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala on Monday.
Generation Z youth used President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 82nd birthday celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Monday to showcase entrepreneurship, value addition and community service.
Young entrepreneurs exhibited processed foods, leather products, crafts and Information and Communication Technology innovations, while a blood donation drive and skilling activities formed part of the celebrations.
Mr Ian Jeremiah Gumisiriza, the Special Presidential Assistant on the Informal Sector, said September had been dedicated by the informal sector to activities celebrating the President, with Gen Z marking the occasion through initiatives intended to benefit communities.
He said the blood donation drive was aimed at saving lives, while youth-led businesses demonstrated how value addition could support enterprise development and wealth creation.
The activities reflected the message delivered by President Museveni, who urged young Ugandans to participate actively in wealth creation and productive economic activity.
In a message delivered by Vice President Ms Jessica Alupo, the President said 33 per cent of households remained outside the money economy and called for greater participation in productive activities.
“No one should be a spectator in the wealth creation process,” he said.
He identified commercial agriculture, industry, services and Information and Communication Technology as key sectors through which Ugandans can create wealth and employment.
The President also stressed the importance of expanding markets for Ugandan products, particularly across Africa.
“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.
He called for continued industrialisation and value addition to enable Uganda to export finished products, create jobs and earn more from international markets.
Ms Alupo reinforced the message, urging young people to take advantage of government programmes and participate in the country’s economic transformation.
She highlighted the Parish Development Model, Emyooga and government skilling initiatives, while calling for greater value addition and expanded markets through the East African Community and the wider African market.
The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Ms Minsa Kabanda, congratulated the President and encouraged Gen Z to turn the wealth-creation message into action by using available opportunities to improve household incomes.
The State Minister for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatisation, Ms Amina Mukalazi, described Mr Museveni as a “walking history”, citing peace, stability and programmes such as Universal Primary Education among government achievements she said had benefited Ugandans.
The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Ms Mercy Lakisa, identified unemployment and limited ideological orientation as challenges facing young people. She pointed to PDM, Emyooga and government skilling centres as opportunities for youth to improve their livelihoods.
She urged young people to work hard, remain united and protect Uganda’s development gains.
The National Chairperson of Gen Z, Mr Israel Kyarisima, called on young Ugandans to take responsibility for shaping their future rather than merely demanding opportunities.
He urged them to embrace the seven pillars of the qualitative leap promoted by Mr Museveni and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
Beyond wealth creation, the President called for patriotism, national unity and respect for citizens regardless of their background. He also reminded young people that democratic rights should be exercised alongside responsibilities.