Youth living in urban centres have been advised to return to their villages and engage in farming in a bid to fight poverty.
The advice was contained in remarks delivered by the national NRM mobiliser for Bunyoro, Michael Ayeranga, on the behalf of the Commander of Land Forces, Lt Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, during a fundraising function for a church.
In his message, Muhoozi noted that the youth should stop wasting time engaging in acts like alcoholism, gambling and gossiping among others, saying they should use their time to do productive work.
Muhoozi had been invited by the Bugahya County legislator, Pius Wakabi, to officiate a fundraising drive towards the completion of the multi-billion Bulindi Catholic Parish Church in Kyabigambire sub-county.
He underscored the need for youth to engage in agriculture and produce for the growing market of food crops in the country instead of wasting their best years in urban areas engaging in non-productive activities while leaving the elders to produce for the growing population.
He emphasised that if the youth embrace hard work and engage in production, the country will realise social-economic transformation.
Muhoozi also challenged the youth to embrace vocational skills development to be able to create jobs, adding that this is the only way the challenge of cutting unemployment will be addressed.
Over sh30m was raised in cash and pledges with Muhoozi supporting the project with a sh3m cash contribution while Ayeranga contributed sh1m in cash and bought items worth over sh6m. Wakabi donated sh2m and also handed over sh5m collected from his fellow MPS
Speaking at the function, Wakabi called on the people of Bunyoro to invest in the education of their children to be able to benefit from the oil and gas sector.
He says that the oil and gas sector requires skilled labour, adding that if the people of Bunyoro fail to prepare in time, the opportunities will be grabbed by others from out of the region
He also challenged the religious leaders to advocate for unity to ensure peace and development.
Fr Sebastian Benyumiza, the parish priest of Bulindi Catholic Parish, commended Muhoozi and Ayeranga for their support of God’s work.
