President Museveni has praised a group of former National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who renounced the opposition and embraced the ruling party, promising to back their reintegration into society.
Meeting the converts at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Museveni said they had made the right decision by reforming and leaving behind politics that, in his view, leads young people astray.
“I congratulate the former prisoners for realizing their mistakes and turning away from misleading opposition politics, thereby earning our forgiveness,” the President told them.
He warned that leaders in NUP and sections of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) continue to lure youth into danger, with tragic consequences.
“These bad leaders misguide the youth into danger, resulting in unnecessary deaths. They really have nothing to offer,” Museveni cautioned, comparing today’s opposition to defunct groups such as Kabaka Yekka, which he said sowed sectarianism and conflict.
The president revealed he had listened to a memorandum from the converts, which government will study.
In the meantime, he urged them to focus on creating better lives through the opportunities available in government programs.
Museveni outlined achievements and plans across key areas of health, education, and wealth creation. On health, he celebrated the success of immunization in eliminating diseases such as polio and measles.
On education, he acknowledged gaps in universal primary and secondary education, but assured that government would recruit 50,000 more teachers and end illegal school charges.
Turning to wealth creation, Museveni urged youth to pursue opportunities in commercial agriculture, artisanship and industry, services, and ICT.
He cited the four-acre model farm of State Minister for Transport,Fred Byamukama, as proof of agriculture’s potential to generate jobs and income. “We want no one to be idle,” the President emphasized.
He reminded the gathering of ongoing funding initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and special support funds for ghetto youth, boda boda riders, taxi operators, fisheries, and religious leaders.
