Uganda President Yoweri Museveni. /FILEUganda President Yoweri Museveni was elated to receive what he said were eight million messages from well-wishers as he marked his 82nd birthday on Friday, but quickly turned the celebrations into a call for Ugandans, particularly the youth, to focus on wealth creation.
Museveni said his social-media handler, Precious Kamwiine, had told him that about eight million messages had been sent to mark his birthday.
He thanked his family members, the wider National Resistance Movement family, Ugandans, East Africans and other well-wishers for the messages.
“Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu and other well-wishers beyond Uganda. I have seen the millions of messages congratulating me on my 82nd birthday,” Museveni said.
He thanked God for his 82 years, as well as what he described as Uganda's progress in agriculture, oil, minerals and manufacturing.
The President used the occasion to raise concerns about environmental degradation, saying unreliable rains should serve as a reminder that nature could not be taken for granted.
“Those in the wetlands or forests or other protected areas must get out so that we keep the treasure God gave us,” he said.
Museveni then shifted his attention to what he considers a more important issue for Uganda and Africa — wealth creation and economic and political integration.
He urged young people to understand and support efforts to create an African common market and deepen political integration in East Africa towards a Political Federation of East Africa.
He argued that greater integration would create a larger and more reliable market for African producers and service providers while strengthening the region's ability to protect its strategic interests.
“This is to guarantee our prosperity by creating a big and reliable market for the wealth-creators of Africa to sell their products and services and expand,” he said.
Museveni also acknowledged the attraction of sports, music and fashion among young people, noting that he had himself been a footballer and cricketer when he was young.
He nevertheless cautioned that leisure activities could not thrive in the absence of wealth and security.
“It is good for the young people to be attracted by sport, music, fashion, etc. I was when I was young,” he said.
“We, however, quickly learnt that games, music, leisure, are not possible where there is no wealth or security.”
Museveni said the realisation had shaped much of his life, claiming that he had spent more than 60 years of his 82 years pursuing wealth and security for Ugandans, alongside efforts to advance those interests elsewhere in Africa.
He said he was willing to discuss the issues with young people and others interested in the debate on social media.
“I am ready to debate this with the youth and all those interested in the social media,” he said.
