President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on MTN Group to broaden its investments in Uganda and support sectors that directly create jobs and boost household incomes.

The President made the remarks on Friday, during a high-level meeting with a delegation from MTN Group at State House, Entebbe, underscoring the telecom giant’s role in Uganda’s economic transformation journey.

MTN Group, a South African multinational and one of the world’s largest mobile network operators, was commended for its consistent growth in Uganda since launching operations.

Recalling the company’s early days, President Museveni shared, “I am glad that MTN has grown.

I remember when it had just started, Mzee Mandela called me on a small phone.

I do not remember who brought it, but that was the beginning.”

He urged MTN and other investors to direct their efforts toward sectors with high potential for job and income generation, identifying commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT as key pillars for economic expansion.

“If people have jobs and incomes, they will buy more phones and use them more.

That’s why we must invest in the four key sectors of wealth and job creation.

The purchasing power per capita in Africa is still low, and to raise it, we must expand our economic base, not just operate in a narrow business sector,” Museveni stated.

The President also emphasized the strategic importance of cross-border investment in fostering regional economic integration.

“You should discuss and see how you can intensify cross-border investment.

That’s how we can strengthen intra-African trade and cooperation,” he said.

Reflecting on Uganda’s path toward a monetized economy, Museveni noted the slow but steady shift from subsistence living.

“By 1962, when the British left, only 4% of Ugandans were in the money economy.

The rest lived in villages, surviving on what nature provided.

By 2013, only 32% of households were in the money economy.

We had to involve the army to go and sensitize people.

By 2021, we had reached 64%, and now only 33% remain outside,” he explained.

He cited increased coffee and milk production as tangible indicators of progress.

“Coffee is now bringing in about 9 million bags annually and people are beginning to taste the benefits of being in the money economy,” Museveni said.

The President also addressed land ownership and inheritance challenges, urging Ugandans to adopt models that preserve wealth through shared ownership.

“In some parts of the world, families have found ways to share ownership while keeping property intact.

That’s another struggle we must win here,” he remarked.

Comparing Uganda’s development history to South Africa’s, Museveni pointed out that Uganda’s fertile land and favorable climate had allowed many citizens to remain in subsistence farming.

“In South Africa, many Africans were already involved in agriculture, but here in Uganda, life was so easy that people remained in subsistence farming.

That’s the unique challenge we’re dealing with,” he added.

Museveni concluded by encouraging MTN and other corporate players to explore manufacturing partnerships and capitalize on the continent’s growing regional trade opportunities.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Jonas Mcebisi, Chairman of MTN Group, reaffirmed the company’s strong commitment to Uganda.

“We just came today to say thank you very much for the support you have always given us.

We have had excellent collaboration from the regulators, and MTN is not here for the short term, we are here for the long haul,” he said.

Mr. Mcebisi also expressed a desire to strengthen business ties between Uganda and South Africa.

“We believe there is real opportunity to help Ugandan businesses enter the South African market, and that is something we can explore further,” he noted.

He shared that MTN currently serves 22 million customers in Uganda, with around 12 million of them using smartphones.

“Globally, MTN serves over 297 million customers, which gives us a broad network and capacity to support development,” he added.

Also present at the meeting were Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance; Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury; Mr. John Musinguzi, Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority; and Mr. George William Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission.