Alebtong Rally: Museveni Pledges Start-Up Fund for Unemployed University Graduates

By Jumah Kakomo
President Yoweri Museveni has announced plans to establish a special fund for unemployed university graduates in his next term, aimed at supporting them to start their own businesses.

“I am going to start a fund for university leavers. If you have left university and haven’t got a job for two years, I want you to benefit from this fund,” Museveni said during a campaign rally at Alebtong Booma grounds in Alebtong District, Lango sub-region.

He explained that the proposed fund will offer loans to fresh graduates who have struggled to find employment, especially those whose families made significant sacrifices to fund their education under private sponsorship.

“It is not fair when that student finishes and government doesn’t assist him or her,” Museveni noted.

The President said this new initiative will be added to existing government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), all aimed at fighting unemployment and promoting wealth creation.

In addition, Museveni revealed plans to create a separate fund to support religious leaders across the country.

Parish Development Model for Wealth Creation
Museveni urged residents of Lango to fully embrace the Parish Development Model as a key tool for lifting themselves out of poverty.

Using success stories from other regions, he encouraged beneficiaries to start small businesses that can grow over time, noting that the government allocates Shs100 million to each parish annually under the PDM, and by the end of five years, that figure is expected to reach Shs800 million—including repayments and reinvestments.

“This is not small money. Make sure it is not misused. There are other interventions like Emyooga and funds for ghetto youth,” he said.

Museveni emphasized that creating wealth at the individual and household level is a more direct way of solving unemployment than solely focusing on infrastructure development.

“Many leaders talk of roads, tarmac, and electricity, but even if there is tarmac, are you going to sleep on the road at night? Development is ours, but wealth is mine as an individual, family, or company,” he said.

He concluded by encouraging citizens to pursue wealth through business, factory work, and service provision, highlighting entrepreneurship as a viable path to job creation.