{UAH} Lazy, dishonest workforce weakening economic growth - President
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3:18 AM |
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H.E President Yoweri Museveni has warned that there can be no growth
and economic development when you have a lazy and dishonest workforce,
adding that a workforce that steals from its employer scares off
investors and derails development.
The President singled out the theft of road fuel on the
Kampala-Masaka-Kabale-Katuna road by the locals, summoning the area
police commander and the RDC to explain to the public what is being
done to curb the thefts.
"Who is stealing road fuel? What has been done about it. We have been
working on this road and we are remaining with only 27 miles to
complete it. We are working on roads so that we have infrastructure
that is good. We need infrastructure such as roads, electricity etc
that is cheap and affordable to lower cost of doing business and
attract investments," he said, before directing the Police to be more
vigilant in arresting the culprits.
Security sources said local residents in Ntungamo conniving with some
people from Kampala are involved in a fuel stealing racket. 20 people
have been arrested and charged so far.
The President who was accompanied by the Hon. First Lady and Minister
For Karamoja Affairs, was today presiding over the 50th Labour Day
Celebrations held at Rubaale Town Council Stadium in Ntungamo district
under the theme; "Working with the Youth: Addressing the Employment
challenge".
The President said there are only four sectors that are key in job
creation including agriculture, Industry, ICT and services adding that
government jobs are not enough to solve the issue of job creation.
"What we need is modern agro-production. Am becoming more hopeful on
the issue of industry. If you visit the exhibition stalls, you can see
that Ugandans are able to process and manufacture many things. Those
people if assisted, can create many mini industries that can generate
employment. I was at Kyambogo and Makerere University, scientists in
Uganda can now manufacture anything, it is just a matter of support,"
he said.
The President said the country is rich in minerals deposits including
iron ore and that government intends to exploit these by building
industries around them to create jobs and spur development. On the
issue of the minimum wage, President Museveni said that he was ready
to sit with NOTU because the issue needs to be studied before
implementation.
According to statistics from the Uganda National Household Survey
2012/13 youth aged between 18-30 years constitute 21.3% of the total
population with only 60 percent of these engaged in fulltme
employment, 15 at school, 7%in both part time employment and school
and 18% jobless.
Ugandas total working population is 12.4 million excluding the
1.6million persons engaged in agriculture for household production. Of
the working population only 18.5% are in paid employment while 81.5%
are self employed. Every year 300,000 people enter the job market with
the economy only generating 18,000 formal jobs.
The President had earlier decorated various personalities with the
Golden Jubilee medals for their entrepreneurship including Gordon
Wavamuno, Aga Ssekalala, Julian Adyeeri, Mariam Luyombo and Mpanga
Growers Tea Factory among others, He also presented dummy cheques of
Shs 12.5million each to four youth groups under the youth livelihood
programme including Kagonji Youth Development Club dealing in goat
rearing and multiplication, Shame Morden Maize Mills, Central Division
Youth group and Rutunguru Youth Poultry breeding and Production group.
Faruk Kirunda
and economic development when you have a lazy and dishonest workforce,
adding that a workforce that steals from its employer scares off
investors and derails development.
The President singled out the theft of road fuel on the
Kampala-Masaka-Kabale-Katuna road by the locals, summoning the area
police commander and the RDC to explain to the public what is being
done to curb the thefts.
"Who is stealing road fuel? What has been done about it. We have been
working on this road and we are remaining with only 27 miles to
complete it. We are working on roads so that we have infrastructure
that is good. We need infrastructure such as roads, electricity etc
that is cheap and affordable to lower cost of doing business and
attract investments," he said, before directing the Police to be more
vigilant in arresting the culprits.
Security sources said local residents in Ntungamo conniving with some
people from Kampala are involved in a fuel stealing racket. 20 people
have been arrested and charged so far.
The President who was accompanied by the Hon. First Lady and Minister
For Karamoja Affairs, was today presiding over the 50th Labour Day
Celebrations held at Rubaale Town Council Stadium in Ntungamo district
under the theme; "Working with the Youth: Addressing the Employment
challenge".
The President said there are only four sectors that are key in job
creation including agriculture, Industry, ICT and services adding that
government jobs are not enough to solve the issue of job creation.
"What we need is modern agro-production. Am becoming more hopeful on
the issue of industry. If you visit the exhibition stalls, you can see
that Ugandans are able to process and manufacture many things. Those
people if assisted, can create many mini industries that can generate
employment. I was at Kyambogo and Makerere University, scientists in
Uganda can now manufacture anything, it is just a matter of support,"
he said.
The President said the country is rich in minerals deposits including
iron ore and that government intends to exploit these by building
industries around them to create jobs and spur development. On the
issue of the minimum wage, President Museveni said that he was ready
to sit with NOTU because the issue needs to be studied before
implementation.
According to statistics from the Uganda National Household Survey
2012/13 youth aged between 18-30 years constitute 21.3% of the total
population with only 60 percent of these engaged in fulltme
employment, 15 at school, 7%in both part time employment and school
and 18% jobless.
Ugandas total working population is 12.4 million excluding the
1.6million persons engaged in agriculture for household production. Of
the working population only 18.5% are in paid employment while 81.5%
are self employed. Every year 300,000 people enter the job market with
the economy only generating 18,000 formal jobs.
The President had earlier decorated various personalities with the
Golden Jubilee medals for their entrepreneurship including Gordon
Wavamuno, Aga Ssekalala, Julian Adyeeri, Mariam Luyombo and Mpanga
Growers Tea Factory among others, He also presented dummy cheques of
Shs 12.5million each to four youth groups under the youth livelihood
programme including Kagonji Youth Development Club dealing in goat
rearing and multiplication, Shame Morden Maize Mills, Central Division
Youth group and Rutunguru Youth Poultry breeding and Production group.
Faruk Kirunda
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