"If You Vote For Me Again, I Will Give Cash To All Unemployed Degree Holders," Museveni Vows During Campaign Launch

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promised to provide financial support to Uganda’s jobless graduates if he is re-elected in 2026. The veteran leader unveiled plans for a Graduate Fund that will help young people who cannot find work after completing university.

The pledge came on Tuesday at Kololo Independence Grounds, where Museveni was officially nominated as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer. Thousands of supporters cheered as the 79-year-old leader outlined his vision for Uganda’s youth and the economy.

“For graduates who finish university and cannot find work after two years, there will be capital to help them start productive activities,” Museveni told the rally. The statement highlighted his commitment to ensuring that no young Ugandan is left without opportunities after graduation.

The proposed Graduate Fund will specifically target graduates who remain unemployed two years after completing their studies. This initiative is part of a broader plan that includes several other youth-focused programs aimed at boosting employment and economic growth.

Museveni also promised to expand the Ghetto Youth Fund to cover more areas across the country. He said the program has already empowered many young people in urban and peri-urban areas, and the expansion will bring similar support to those outside major cities.

In addition, Museveni revealed plans to establish skilling hubs in all 171 districts and municipalities. These hubs will offer vocational training and skills development programs, helping young Ugandans become self-reliant and more competitive in the job market.

Special financial support will also be provided to fishermen at landing sites, as part of a wider campaign to strengthen local livelihoods. Museveni emphasized that these measures are aimed at lifting more Ugandans into productive work and contributing to the country’s economic growth.

The President said these efforts would accelerate Uganda’s progress toward becoming a middle-income country. He highlighted that the nation’s GDP had already doubled from $34 billion to $66 billion during his last term, though he acknowledged that one-third of households still remain outside the money economy.

First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni praised the government’s achievements in education. She noted that primary schools under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program had doubled, while secondary schools had tripled since 1986. She encouraged voters to give her husband another term to complete ongoing projects.

Top NRM leaders, including Moses Kigongo, Speaker Anita Among, Richard Todwong, and former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, endorsed Museveni’s leadership. They described him as a “tested leader” who has delivered peace, stability, and economic growth, urging Ugandans to support him once again in 2026.