President Yoweri Museveni has said that Uganda’s biggest challenge is not the lack of jobs but the failure by many citizens to take advantage of the opportunities already available to them.
According to the president, unemployment in the country is being driven more by poor mindset, underutilized resources, and lack of serious planning than by the absence of work opportunities.
Speaking during the International Labour Day celebrations held at Nkoyoyo Boarding Primary School in Matale, Buikwe District, President Museveni argued that Uganda has enormous economic potential that remains largely unused.
He said many people continue to complain about unemployment while vast opportunities in agriculture and production remain untouched.
Museveni explained that Uganda possesses millions of acres of fertile land that could be used to create employment for huge numbers of people.
According to him, the country has about 40 million acres of arable land, but only a small portion is currently being used productively.
The president argued that if only seven million acres of land were fully utilized for commercial agriculture and productive activities, millions of jobs could be created across the country. He estimated that if each acre generated around 15 jobs, Uganda could potentially create more than 100 million jobs, which is far greater than the country’s population.
“The problem is not the lack of jobs; the problem is that people are asleep,” Museveni said during his speech. He called on Ugandans to change their thinking and begin investing their energy in productive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and value addition.
According to the president, many young people are spending too much time searching for white-collar office jobs while ignoring opportunities in farming and small-scale industries. He stressed that agriculture remains one of the biggest sectors capable of employing millions of Ugandans if approached seriously and professionally.
Museveni also criticized poor business planning among many entrepreneurs, saying several businesses collapse because owners start projects without proper preparation and strategy. He warned business people against depending heavily on expensive commercial bank loans that often become difficult to repay.
Instead, the president encouraged entrepreneurs and investors to seek support from institutions such as Uganda Development Bank, which he said offers loans with lower interest rates compared to many commercial banks. According to him, affordable financing can help businesses grow sustainably.
He also pointed to government poverty alleviation programmes such as the Parish Development Model, which was introduced to support economic growth at the grassroots level. Museveni said such initiatives are intended to help ordinary citizens access capital and improve household incomes.
In addition, the president revealed that government is considering requiring industrial parks to provide housing for workers. According to him, worker accommodation near factories and industries could improve productivity and make life easier for employees.
Museveni further expressed concern about the growing mismatch between education and the labour market. He said many graduates continue to pursue academic courses that do not prepare them for available opportunities in the economy.
The president argued that universities and institutions of learning should focus more on producing graduates with practical and job-ready skills. According to him, education should support national development by preparing students for sectors where demand for labour exists.
His remarks come at a time when Uganda continues to face serious debates about unemployment, workers’ rights, and the rising cost of living. Many young graduates have repeatedly raised concerns about difficulties in finding stable and well-paying jobs after completing their studies.
At the same time, Museveni recently signed into law the Employment (Amendment) Act, 2025, which introduces several reforms aimed at improving the protection of workers in Uganda. The law updates parts of the Employment Act of 2006 and introduces new protections for vulnerable workers.
Among the changes introduced under the amended law are stronger protections for domestic workers, casual labourers, and migrant workers. The law also seeks to protect workers from exploitation, forced labour, and abuse in workplaces.
The reforms additionally provide for mandatory nursing breaks for breastfeeding mothers, better regulation of recruitment agencies handling migrant workers, and measures to address sexual harassment at workplaces. Casual workers who serve continuously for more than six months may also qualify for formal contracts under the new law.
Despite these reforms, the issue of a national minimum wage continues to generate debate across the country. Uganda still does not have an enforceable national minimum wage, something labour unions and civil society organizations have been demanding for years.
Critics argue that without a clear minimum wage policy, many workers—especially those in informal sectors—may continue earning very low incomes despite improvements in labour laws. Some analysts believe that worker protections alone may not significantly improve livelihoods if wages remain too low.
Museveni also questioned how institutions such as National Social Security Fund invest workers’ savings. He suggested that more investments should be directed toward profitable national projects such as infrastructure development instead of relying mainly on government bonds.
As Uganda continues to battle unemployment and economic challenges, Museveni insists that the country’s future depends on productivity, discipline, and the willingness of citizens to use available resources wisely. According to the president, Uganda has enough opportunities to transform lives if people become more active, innovative, and committed to work.
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