President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday, July 11, 2025, led national celebrations for World Population Day at Busaana County Grounds in Kayunga District. The event was held under the theme: “Promoting Population Health and Wellbeing Through the Parish Development Model (PDM)” and brought together leaders, development partners, and citizens to focus on grassroots development and economic empowerment.
In his keynote speech, President Museveni challenged the idea that Africa’s population is a problem, saying the continent is actually underpopulated compared to its land size. He said the real issue is economic confusion and continued dependence on subsistence farming.
“Africa’s population is now bigger than India’s or China’s, but Africa is 12 times bigger than India in size. The problem isn’t numbers—it’s confusion and lack of economic activity,” Museveni stated.
He explained that many rural Ugandans are still outside the money economy, farming only to feed their families without generating income. He stressed that while the government is providing infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water, real change happens only when households begin generating income.
“If you live near a tarmac road but still have no money at home, then the road won’t help much. The infrastructure must be used to create wealth,” he added.
The President highlighted Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga as government programs aimed at helping families move from subsistence to commercial production. He emphasized the importance of proper fund management and announced that each of the 100 selected households per parish must receive UGX 1 million, with plans to increase annual funding to UGX 200 million per parish.
Museveni also warned against misuse of wetlands for rice growing, advising communities to use wetlands for irrigation to preserve the environment.
During the event, he praised Kayunga residents for donating land for the Kayunga–Bbaale–Galiraya road, a decision that saved the government UGX 76 billion in compensation.
“Because of this patriotic act, the value of land here will grow. You’ll now sell your land at UGX 60 million like in Mukono, instead of UGX 5 million,” he said.
First Lady Maama Janet Museveni, who also attended the event, thanked Ugandans for supporting the ruling NRM government. She urged citizens to embrace self-reliance, discipline, and education.
“Africans were not born to be poor. We are created by the same God—let’s work together to improve our homes,” she told the crowd.
Minister of State for Planning, Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, welcomed the President and thanked him for supporting Kayunga. He raised concerns over the theft of agricultural produce and electricity wires, and requested for more efforts to extend power and repair boreholes.
Ambassador Frederieke Quispel of the Netherlands, speaking for development partners, said the EU is investing over €900 million between 2022 and 2027 in Uganda’s health, education, water, and social services.
“Uganda’s life expectancy has risen from 43 in 1990 to 68 in 2022. Maternal deaths have dropped by half. These are signs of real progress,” she said.
UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Zulu Leonard said Uganda’s large youth population is an opportunity, but one that must be supported through education, health, and employment. He praised Uganda’s reduction in poverty and income inequality and said such progress allows families to invest in better futures.
“With investment in youth and reproductive health, Uganda can build a stronger future,” he said.
Prof. Pamela Mbabazi, Chair of the National Planning Authority (NPA), emphasized that real change starts in communities.
“Development must begin where people live and work. Strong communities build a strong country,” she said.
She also warned against the high rate of teenage pregnancies, noting that 24% of girls aged 15–19 are already mothers or pregnant. She reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to Uganda’s transformation and praised the Parish Development Model as a critical tool in achieving people-centered progress.
The World Population Day celebrations in Kayunga attracted leaders from different sectors, including local government officials, civil society, and international organizations, all pledging support for Uganda’s development journey through grassroots empowerment.
