MASINDI, September 22, 2025 –The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has urged the youth to embrace the Parish Development Model [PDM] as a pathway out of poverty.
Speaking during the belated National Youth Day celebrations held last week at Masindi Golf Course, Museveni emphasised that the PDM is designed to commercialize agriculture in the country, which he believes is the key to economic transformation.
“The plan is to focus on agriculture and teach people to move from subsistence farming to commercial farming,” Museveni said, adding that the digital gadgets and platforms should be used as enablers to do things much faster.
“The real economy should be boosted by agriculture, and the internet should be used to market and deliver what you are producing,” he said.
Museveni expressed disappointment that many of the youth have not taken advantage of the PDM, despite the significant investment in various parishes.
“A lot of money is being injected into different parishes, but the youth haven’t embraced the programme. “The plan for the poor is PDM. I am happy that the money is coming to the parishes. Therefore, take that plan seriously,” he said.
The President also condemned the theft of PDM funds by some office holders, calling on the youth to demand accountability.
“You have the power to demand for it. That’s why we fought and gave you the power to elect leaders who can work for you,” Museveni said.
The youth expressed several concerns, including the high cost of internet access, which hinders their ability to participate in the digital economy.
Jacob Eyeru, Chairperson of the National Youth Council, requested the President to consider reducing internet costs, particularly for students and young entrepreneurs saying digital transformation depends on internet reach, but the cost is too high for the youth,” he said.
Eyeru also appealed to the President to increase the annual allocation to the National Youth Council from Shs 4 billion to Shs 10 billion.
“Shs 4 billion is too little, considering that these councils are established up to the village level. “We pray that it’s increased so that we can adequately monitor the youth government programmes,” he said.
Additionally, Eyeru asked the President to allow the youth to register their businesses with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau [URSB] at no cost, citing the burden of high costs and taxes on young entrepreneurs.
Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, highlighted the growing number of the youth engaged in online trading and digital services.
She noted that according to the 2024 digital study, 43 percent of youth aged 10 and above use smartphones, and over 47 percent use smartphones for trade.
Amongi emphasised the need to increase internet accessibility in rural areas and growing towns to support youth development.
The National Youth Day celebrations were held under the theme “Youth Advancing Socio-Economic Transformation through Technology and Partnership.”
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