Museveni Commends Youth Platform Africa for Remarkable Journey of Transformation , Agri-Business Expansion

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the Youth Platform Africa (YPA) for their remarkable journey of transformation and expansion in agri-business.

“I am happy to learn that you have been able to grow from rearing just 100 goats, to now 110,000 goats; and from growing maize on an acre of land, to now 36,000 acres. This tremendous growth testifies to your hard work and commitment to wealth and jobs creation, through commercial agriculture. I thank the leaders and members of YPA for propagating the NRM’s message on wealth creation, among the young people,” he said.

The President who was represented by the Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, made the remarks yesterday during the Annual General Meeting and Expo of YPA at Kololo Independence Grounds.

President Museveni also urged Ugandans to fight poverty by joining the money economy, emphasizing that poverty and social backwardness are the results of some people remaining as spectators in the economy. He said in Uganda, 37% of the households are still trapped in subsistence agriculture i.e. they produce only for food and they have no surplus products to take to the market, in order to fetch money.

“Without money, you cannot participate in the economy as a consumer of goods and services. There are four sectors where wealth and jobs can be created. These are: commercial agriculture, industries, services and ICT. The wealth funds like the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, Youth Fund, etc., are aimed at integrating the remaining 37% of the households that are still subsistence farming into the money economy,” he noted.

“There are two major players in a modern economy i.e. producers and consumers. The producers include: farmers, industrialists, service providers, etc. These produce all the goods and services that people need. The second group are the consumers i.e. the market, that buys the goods and services of the producers. If you produce a good or a service and nobody or only a few people buy it, your enterprise collapses. The bigger the market, the more the profits.”

On the other hand, President Museveni thanked the YPA for taking advantage of the prevailing positive conditions of peace and good infrastructure i.e. roads, electricity etc., to create wealth and jobs.

“I thank Col. Edith Nakalema, the Patron for YPA, for supporting the youth initiatives. The youth are a great asset; they should be helped to direct their youthful energies, vigor and creativity towards creating wealth and jobs, in order to guarantee Uganda’s prosperity.”

On his part, Hon. Balaam thanked the vision bearer of YPA, Mr. Obed Ben Rukuringamamanzi for coming up with the initiative that has helped the youth to develop economically.

He also lauded President Museveni for his visionary leadership that has since created an enabling environment which helps businesses to thrive.

The Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema expressed gratitude for being part of the YLA conversations that redirect the potential of the youth to define the future of Uganda and the world at large.

“I am delighted to see open-handed support for this gathering, which in my view, reflects the commitment to agriculture as the passageway to youth employment. Through the lenses of Youth Platform Africa, the destiny of Uganda lies in the power of youth to steer innovation, empowerment and transformation,” Col. Nakalema said.

“This event is therefore a splendid display of the collective resolve of young people to be counted as agents of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. In a country well-endowed with arable land, agriculture is certainly a low hanging fruit for many individuals and households in Uganda. Your initiatives so far as Youth Platform Africa are already a clear gauge that the youth can make agriculture the driver of economic growth through rural transformation.”

Col. Nakalema further explained that the commitment to overcome poverty and unemployment can no longer be seen in speeches and declarations but rather through action.

Having considered agri-business as a pathway out of poverty, the SHIPU head advised that Ugandans need to incline their attention to invest in value-addition across the entire value-chain, reinforce an evidence base and strategic partnerships.

“By taking this route, you will demonstrate beyond doubt that agriculture is a nursery bed for generating social and economic wealth that solves problems in our communities,” she urged.

“With the right mindset, your work stands you in good stead to maximize the potential of Uganda’s youth to advance our country. Therefore, be intentional in making your undertakings the turning point for empowering young people economically.”

The Executive Director of the National Planning Authority (NPA), Dr. Joseph Muvawala thanked Mr. Obed for the job well done in ensuring economic prosperity among the youth through agriculture.

“I also thank the members of YPA for growing the organization. I want to thank you all for fulfilling the dream of H.E the President. The President of the country is the planner number one and my job is to just assist him. President Museveni directed that Uganda should develop by 10-folds in 15 years to come.”

“What you are doing as YPA is part of the arrangements that will help our country achieve that target. If our country doesn’t develop rapidly, it will never catch up with the already developed countries but if we have many people like Obed, the President’s dream will be achieved.”

Dr. Muvawala also assured YPA of support from NPA to ensure that it further achieves its goals.

The Managing Director of YPA, Mr. Obed said the organisation started in 2008 as an ordinary village group with 21 individuals, then grew to Community Based Organization in 2010 with a group of 60 people who now serve as the Board of Governors, Executive Committee and Managing Directors.

“Because there was a need to trade internationally and publicly, YPA acquired a certificate of Registration as BREC Youth Empowerment Africa Limited as a company limited by guarantee. YPA runs several projects, generating minimal profits from services and receiving in-kind donations from Africansas part of our charitable endeavors in Uganda,” he said.

He added that YPA is an organization committed to empowering individuals and driving positive change throughout the African Continent.

“Our innovative initiatives span a wide range of sectors, including agribusiness, technology and entrepreneurship. Our primary objective is to provide young Africans with opportunities to flourish and create lasting impact within their communities.”