President Museveni also urged Ugandans to fight poverty by joining the money economy, emphasising that poverty and social backwardness are the results of some people remaining spectators in the economy.
![]()
Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara at the Annual General Meeting and Expo of YPA at Kololo Independence Grounds.
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 job 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's remarks were contained in his message read for him by the Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, 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, emphasising that poverty and social backwardness are the results of some people remaining spectators in the economy. He said in Uganda, 37% of the households are still trapped in subsistence agriculture, hence produce only for food, and they have no surplus products to take to the market.“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.
Balaam thanked the vision bearer of YPA, 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,” Nakalema said.
The Executive Director of the National Planning Authority (NPA), Dr. Joseph Muvawala, thanked YLA for the job well done in ensuring economic prosperity among the youth through agriculture. “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.”
Rukuringamamanzi said the organisation started in 2008 as an ordinary village group with 21 individuals, then grew to a Community Based Organisation 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 endeavours in Uganda,” he said. He added that YPA is an organisation 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 a lasting impact within their communities.”
