Gudie Leisure Farm recently had the honor of hosting Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, Minister of State for Microfinance and Small Enterprises, on Sunday 04 August 2024 during his visit to address 300 cottage managers and youth from the central region. His visit underscored the crucial role Gudie Leisure Farm is playing in driving socio-economic transformation and addressing Uganda’s pressing challenge of youth unemployment.
In his address, Hon. Kasolo expressed the government’s deep appreciation for Gudie Leisure Farm’s efforts in advancing the nation’s agenda for social and economic transformation. “Gudie Leisure Farm is addressing our current challenge of unemployment among the youth by skilling them in 873 parishes across the country,” he remarked. This, he noted, is a significant contribution to reducing unemployment and fostering economic growth at the grassroots level.
The Minister was particularly pleased to hear testimonies from several youth who shared how their lives have been transformed through the skills and opportunities provided by Gudie Leisure Farm. Many of these young people have transitioned from subsistence farming to earning over $1,000 per month, effectively attaining middle-income status. Hon. Kasolo emphasized how critical this achievement is for the broader goal of national development.
Reflecting on government initiatives, Hon. Kasolo highlighted the success of programs like the Emyooga initiative, a Presidential program focused on wealth and job creation, which has had a profound impact on youth and women. He urged the women in attendance to leverage the skills they have gained from Gudie Leisure Farm to generate income and improve their livelihoods.
The Minister outlined several government initiatives that youth can tap into, including:
- The Emyooga Initiative: A Presidential initiative on wealth and job creation that has already benefited many youth and women across Uganda.
- The Parish Development Model (PDM): A program designed to deliver both public and private sector interventions for wealth creation at the parish level.
Hon. Kasolo encouraged women to creatively support their families by engaging in small-scale farming and other money-making ventures. He advised them to consider growing vegetables like tomatoes, which can provide a steady source of income, rather than purchasing them.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Kasolo emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship in building wealth. “To build wealth, you need to have a business,” he said. He also cautioned that for any business to grow, it is essential to save and reinvest earnings wisely.
“To build wealth, you need to have a business.”
Gudie Leisure Farm remains committed to empowering Uganda’s youth and women through innovative agricultural practices and business training. We are proud to contribute to the nation’s efforts to create sustainable livelihoods and look forward to continuing our partnership with the government to achieve these goals.