PRESIDENT MUSEVENI UNVEILS INDIVIDUALIZED WATER PLAN FOR WEALTH CREATORS IN KARAMOJA, PLEDGES MORE ROADS, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has unveiled a new government initiative to establish individualized water systems aimed at supporting commercial farmers and small-scale producers, as part of a broader effort to eradicate poverty through wealth creation and self-sufficiency. Addressing thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Kalas Girls Primary School in Amudat District, Karamoja Sub-region, on Tuesday 28th October, 2025, H.E. Museveni said the government was developing a plan to ensure every productive household has access to reliable water for production, a move he said would mark a turning point in Uganda’s rural transformation strategy. “We are working out a plan for water for rural areas. Apart from the valley dams, people need water at each home,” President Museveni said. “The communal water systems will not address their water problem. We are trying to analyze how we can provide individualized water for wealth creators. In the Ankole area, we no longer use those communal dams. If you come to Rwakitura, you will see I have three of my own dams because animals, when they go too far, they get diseases like ticks,” he added. The new policy seeks to end decades of dependency on shared water facilities in semi-arid regions like Karamoja, where boreholes and valley dams are often overstretched or dry up during prolonged droughts. “Borehole water is still very low at 18%. The Minister of Karamoja must find out what the problem is, because in other districts like Abim and Karenga, the percentage is much higher,” President Museveni said. Government data indicates that only 18% of Amudat District’s 415 villages currently have access to safe water, leaving 81.7% without a clean source. Of the existing water-for-production infrastructure, one solar-powered irrigation system has been completed at Katotin, 12 valley tanks have been constructed, and two wind-powered abstraction systems have been installed. Major recent projects include the Kosike Valley Dam, with a capacity of 2.7 billion litres, and the Kaechom Valley Dam, which holds 1.8 billion litres. Ongoing projects include additional solar-powered irrigation systems and a large valley tank under construction. The Lowoyakur Dam, shared with Nakapiripirit, will hold 1.4 billion litres of water once completed. Peace as the foundation of development: Throughout his address, President Museveni emphasized that peace, the first of seven core achievements highlighted in the NRM’s 2026–2031 manifesto, remains the cornerstone of Uganda’s development. “If you want to know that miracles are possible in Africa, come to Karamoja and come to Amudat. I thank God for making me somehow connected to that miracle,” President Museveni said, while revisiting Uganda’s turbulent past. He explained how the National Resistance Movement (NRM) restored peace and national unity after decades of instability, where, before 1986, Uganda’s electoral and administrative systems were poorly aligned, leading to marginalization in areas like Karamoja. “Before the coming into power of NRM, there were no permanent constituencies. They would just make ad hoc constituencies to favor certain parties. In 1989, we decided that each constituency must be equal to a county. At that time, there were 149 counties in the whole of Uganda, and something called Upe was one of them with a population of only 20,000. Some of the counties in the south, like Bukoto, had 360,000 people. But we said that for now, let’s start with the counties, and that’s how Upe became a constituency,” President Museveni said. He highlighted Amudat’s recognition as a district stemming from the government’s respect for cultural and linguistic diversity. “These people are Pokot, and their language is different from Karamojong. Let them have their district and speak their Pokot language there. When I come today and see that the population of Amudat has grown to 203,000, I say this is a miracle,” President Museveni said. Disarmament and border security: President Museveni credited Uganda’s peace to firm decisions such as the disarmament of Karamojong warriors in the early 2000s. He dismissed arguments that communities in Karamoja and neighboring Turkana, Pokot, or Toposa areas should be allowed to keep guns to “balance terror.” “Some said if Karamojong and Turkana both stay with guns, they will stabilize by killing each other. But why have a government if people must protect themselves?” he asked. “And this was a false argument because, like in West Nile, there’s peace, despite the wars in South Sudan and Congo, West Nile is peaceful. Even Kasese and Bundibugyo are peaceful, yet there are wars in Eastern DRC. So, that’s when I insisted that you bring the guns; I will protect you against the Pokot of Kenya, Turkana of Kenya, and others,” President Museveni added, noting that when the Turkana killed three people, including surveyors, he banned them from grazing in Uganda. President Museveni said he had since raised the issue with Kenya’s President William Ruto, demanding that the Kenyan government compensate the victims’ families. “I could not accept this impunity of criminality. I told President Ruto that if these criminals don’t have money, the Kenyan government must pay. I will perform a ceremony in Karamoja here with President Ruto for the Kenyan government to pay for the lives of our officers who died,” President Museveni said, adding that the ceremony will also attract elders to cleanse the blood of the people who died, and the bishops and the sheikhs will also come in and contribute spiritually. Turning to infrastructure, President Museveni vowed to ensure all major roads in Karamoja remain passable year-round. “I have warned the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Local Government that I don’t want to hear of a major road that is impassable. It may not be tarmac, but it must be motorable all the time,” he said. Recent road achievements in Karamoja include 180.4 km of newly paved roads, such as Nadunget–Iriiri (65.6 km), Kokeris–Matany (5.5 km), Namalu–Nakapiripirit (17 km), and Akisim–Moroto–Lokitanyala (92.3 km). Currently under construction are the Moroto–Lokitanyala (42 km) and Muyembe–Nakapiripirit (92 km) roads. Several other routes are under procurement, including Kaabong–Kapedo–Karenga (67 km) and Kotido–Kaabong (64 km), while the Moroto–Tochi–Atiang–Opit–Awo (94 km) and Kotido–Abim–Aloi–Lira (99 km) roads are under design. President Museveni said the government would also tarmac the Nakapiripirit–Amudat road, a key artery for trade and connectivity in the region. President Museveni reaffirmed the NRM government’s commitment to universal access to education, saying the ultimate goal is to ensure one primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county. Currently, Amudat District has 27 government primary schools, 8 private primary schools, 2 government secondary schools, and 1 private secondary school. Out of 44 parishes, only 11 host at least one government primary school. However, three new Seed Secondary Schools are under construction, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school from 9 to 6. The President said he intends to abolish the practice of charging fees in government schools, calling it an injustice against poor families. “When we introduced UPE in 1996, we wanted children to study for free. But school managers started bringing money again,” he said, adding that in the coming government, he would like to stop the charging of fees in government schools. In the health sector, President Museveni noted that Amudat District currently has one Health Centre IV and three Health Centre IIIs, leaving seven sub-counties without any health facility. To close this gap, the government plans to upgrade and construct several facilities, including: Upgrading Karita HCIV to a General Hospital, upgrading Abilyep HCII, Achorichor HCII, Amudat HCII, Cheptapoyo HCII, and Lokales HCII to HCIIIs and constructing new HCIIIs in Karita and Kongoro sub-counties. Ongoing works include the upgrading of Katabok HCII to HCIII, Karita HCIII to HCIV, and the construction of an operating theatre at Amudat General Hospital. President Museveni used the rally to reinforce his message of wealth creation, urging residents to use the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other government programs to lift themselves out of poverty. He played video testimonials of beneficiaries who have prospered under the PDM, including: George Matongo, a livestock farmer in Ngoma; Dick Korea Ogila, a mango farmer from Abim earning over Shs6 million per harvest; Amos Losengole, a goat farmer from Amudat who invested his Shs1 million PDM fund wisely; and Emmanuel Lokong, a piggery farmer from Nakapiripirit. President Museveni said the government would soon provide vehicles to cooperatives to help farmers transport goods to urban markets. Amudat District has so far received Shs13.49 billion under the PDM, of which Shs13.1 billion (97.2%) has been disbursed to 12,118 households, about 28.6% of the district’s 42,310 households. “We shall support cooperatives with group transport to access Kampala markets,” H.E. Museveni pledged. President Museveni told residents that Uganda’s transformation from instability to peace and development over the last 40 years is a testament to the NRM’s resilience. “Now we have peace not only in Karamoja but also in Acholi, West Nile, the Rwenzori, and Kisoro. There’s peace everywhere,” he said. He urged voters to defend the gains made under the NRM government by ensuring continued support for the party in the upcoming 2026 elections. “If anybody asks you why you support NRM, tell them that in our manifesto of 2026–2031, peace is our first contribution. It is the foundation upon which everything else stands,” President Museveni said. First Lady Janet Museveni calls for 100% NRM vote: The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, also addressed the rally, commending the people of Amudat and Karamoja for their steadfast support of the NRM. “The NRM government is your government. It has worked so hard to make sure that Karamoja is peaceful, like any other part of Uganda. Please make it a responsibility to make sure that everybody votes for NRM so that we protect the gains so far and take a qualitative leap into the middle-income status for the whole of Karamoja and Uganda,” The First Lady said, adding that this would enable all the programs in the pipeline to be implemented in the next term of office. “Therefore, I trust that even this time, you’ll make sure that Amudat will vote 100% for the President and the whole lineup of NRM flagbearers,” she added. Amudat District, with a population of 203,358 people, had 43,647 registered voters in the 2021 elections. Of these, 31,453 (72.1%) voted, and President Museveni secured 30,451 votes (97.6%), while the National Unity Platform (NUP) polled 625 votes (2%). As of 2025, registered voters in the district have risen to 58,203, and the number of polling stations has increased from 120 to 164. The event was also addressed by several senior leaders, including Speaker of Parliament and Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, NRM Vice Chairperson for Karamoja, Hon. John Baptist Loki, and NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, who urged residents to maintain their loyalty to the ruling party and consolidate the progress achieved under President Museveni’s leadership.

2025-11-28

PRESIDENTS MUSEVENI AND RUTO BREAK GROUND FOR USD 500 MILLION DEVKI MEGA STEEL PLANT, PLEDGE INDUSTRIAL LIBERATION FOR AFRICA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his Kenyan counterpart William Samoei Ruto today presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of USD 500 million Devki Mega Steel Plant in Kayoro Village, Osukuru County, Tororo District, marking the start of one of East Africa’s most ambitious industrial investments. The vertically integrated steel facility, developed by Kenyan industrialist Dr. Narendra Raval (Guru) of the Devki Group, will employ 15,000 Ugandans in Tororo and Mbarara at commencement. Dr. Raval emphasized that the majority of these jobs will come from the integrated steel operations and related activities supported by investments already made in Tororo, Mbarara, and the upcoming Kabale Iron Ore refinery. President Museveni placed the event within Africa’s broader historical struggle, noting that the continent has endured centuries of exploitation and economic injustice. He said that for over 500 years, Africa has been losing value through the slave trade, colonial systems, and modern economic practices that extract raw materials without adding value. “Today, with the groundbreaking ceremony of the Devki Mega Steel project in Tororo, alongside H.E President William Ruto of Kenya, we are in the process of liberating Africa,” President Museveni said. He also emphasized that this liberation involves stopping the long-standing trend of exporting African minerals and jobs. “At full operationalization, we shall be one step closer to reversing the squandering of Africa’s resources—human, mineral, jobs, and foreign exchange,” he added. The President thanked H.E Ruto for encouraging Dr. Raval to set up in Uganda, acknowledging Kenya’s recognition that Uganda is a natural source of key raw materials and that regional collaboration is essential for collective prosperity. He congratulated Dr. Raval for investing heavily in Uganda and urged full production of steel sheets and other intermediate products locally so that Uganda keeps value within its borders. President Museveni further revealed that Dr. Raval will also start another major iron ore project in Kabale that will create more than 16,000 jobs, expanding industrial opportunities across the country. He cautioned Ugandans against frustrating investors with compensation disputes and assured that the government would handle necessary payments. “The man is going to invest USD 500 million here, so please don’t bother him about money for compensation. The government will handle that,” he said. President Museveni warned that Uganda loses an estimated USD 5 billion each year through imports that could instead be manufactured domestically. He described Uganda’s current road-based cargo system as “irrational,” welcoming the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway towards Tororo, which he said would support large industries like Devki and lower transport costs. “What is happening here shows you that the future is bright, and the rest will come,” he said. President Ruto said the ceremony was more than the start of a factory; it marked a bold new chapter in Africa’s industrialization and the strengthening of regional value chains. He paid tribute to President Museveni for his long-standing commitment to industrial development and commended the cooperation that brought the Tororo investment to fruition. President Ruto emphasized that the steel plant will generate employment for the youth, support regional supply chains, and anchor East Africa’s self-sufficiency. “We convene here not just to commission a factory, but to usher in a new, audacious chapter in Africa’s industrialization ambitions,” he said. He also praised President Museveni for championing regional integration within the East African Community (EAC), saying the environment of cooperation across the region is what enables projects like Devki Steel to succeed. He noted that the Tororo plant will grow to 20,000 employees across East Africa by 2027 and highlighted Africa’s rising steel demand, projected to increase from 39.5 million tonnes in 2024 to 52 million tonnes by 2034. He said Kenya will, in January, launch the next phase of the Standard Gauge Railway from Mombasa to Naivasha and from Rironi to Malaba, eventually extending to Tororo to support large-scale manufacturing. Dr. Raval, Chairman of Devki Group, thanked President Museveni for guiding the project and insisting that it be built in Tororo to create jobs for the people of the region. He pledged that 90 percent of the factory’s workforce will be Ugandans. “At this juncture, I would like to promise the Tororo community that whatever employment will be in the factory, 90% of the jobs will be allocated to Tororo and the surrounding communities only.” He also stressed that industrialization is the only path to prosperity. “Importing steel is importing poverty,” he said. “We must produce here, create jobs here, and empower the youth.” He also praised President Ruto for stabilizing Kenya’s economy and curbing inflation, saying such reforms have created a conducive environment for regional investors. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga said the Mega Steel Project is an important milestone for East Africa and evidence of deepening regional industrial integration. The Energy Minister, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa described the groundbreaking as a landmark and historic event in Uganda’s industrialization journey. She said the project aligns with the government’s commitment to expanding industrial capacity and emphasized that once completed, the factory must deliver tangible social and economic benefits for communities across the region. Hon. Nankabirwa also thanked President Ruto for his support toward the project and praised the collaboration that made the investment possible.

2025-11-23

FIRST LADY JANET MUSEVENI RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN ICON AWARD

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, has been honoured with the prestigious International Women Icon Award 2025 from Binary University Malaysia. Speaking at the ceremony held yesterday at State House, Entebbe, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni congratulated the First Lady on the milestone, noting that she deserved it. “I therefore congratulate Maama on this award, she deserves it. I also salute Binary University for having that sharpness of perception and for identifying the big contribution of Maama from far away,” he added. President Museveni also recognised Maama’s contributions saying that she has played a central role in his life, noting that her support has helped him establish an enduring legacy. He recalled that during his time in the bushwar, Maama Janet shouldered the full responsibility of raising their children, guiding and protecting them as a sole parent. “She took all the burden and all the pressure, and she did it very well, helped by God. I salute her for helping me to become eternal also looking after those children when I was away,” he added. President Museveni further praised Maama Janet that she is highly gifted in nurturing and running a home. “Beyond that, she is a very gifted home builder, she knows how to do things to build houses. She’s so detailed and sees what I can’t see. I do farming but she is very good with homestead, and I salute her for that,” he remarked. President Museveni also described Maama Janet as a philanthropist whose compassion and humanitarian work continues to touch different lives. “She is a philanthropist. The state should have been the one to take care of the people but it might not have the resources in time so that’s how they came up with UWESO, but they did a wonderful job which the government was unable to do. She started a movement with her colleagues.” He further applauded her for engaging in value driven politics rather than chasing cheap popularity. “When she went for politics which I didn’t support initially, she did it like a dictator. She doesn’t like the politics of pleasing, when she wants something done, she does it immediately and this is what has helped with politics in Ruhaama. That's another angle I have seen in her.” He also commended the First Lady for being a prayer warrior, adding that this has encouraged him to start praying. “I don’t disturb God so much, I pray once in a while, but Maama prays all the time. Now I also pray every day under her command. We pray every night and of course prayers work,” he said. He added that these prayers have played a very significant role in uplifting sports in the country. “Because of those prayers, the sector of sports in Uganda is now a big name internationally. For sports we had not done a lot, we had a few stadiums but, in her time, we have come up and we are shining, this is partly because of Maama’s prayers together with her team,” President Museveni remarked. President Museveni praised the First Lady for being resilient and accepting to go to Karamoja as a Minister, adding that she changed a lot of lives during her tenure. “Before we met, she wasn’t political. She was doing her own things but when God put us together, in time she picked up and got interested and when she went to Karamoja, there were some other people who didn’t want to go but for her she was very eager to go.” The award was presented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor and founding Director for the Centre of Women Leadership, Dr. Rohini Devi. This was in recognition of the First Lady’s exceptional contribution to girls’ education, women empowerment, child welfare, and community development over the years. It also celebrates her dedication to championing value-based leadership, integrity, and service to the nation. Dr. Rohini applauded Maama Janet for her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Ugandan child has access to quality education and a supportive learning environment, noting that her leadership continues to inspire women across Africa. “As a founder of the Centre for women leadership at Binary University, it’s my distinguished honor to present this award to a very wonderful woman who has lifelessly devoted to uplifting the marginalised and transforming lives across the nation,” the Deputy Vice Chancellor said. Dr. Rohini also commended the First Lady for a lifetime devotion to serving humanity and uplifting communities across the country. Dr. Rohini further noted that the First Lady’s life not only reflects public service but personal sacrifice recalling how she cared for her family single handedly when the President fought for Uganda’s liberation. “When her family separated because of war, she had to hustle together with dignity, strength and unwavering faith as Museveni served the cause of Uganda’s liberation.” Dr. Rohini further acknowledged Maama Janet’s longstanding commitment to social welfare, citing her founding forums like Uganda Women's Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO) which transformed the lives of many orphans, those affected by wars and the HIV/AIDs patients, forming the Youth forum to mentor and empower young people. “She is also the founder and patron of the Youth forum which has helped to nurture the values and characters of the youth.” Receiving the award, the First Lady expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing initiatives that uplift families and strengthen Uganda’s social fabric. “It is so humbling to welcome you this evening to our national house in Entebbe, as I receive this noble award the International Woman ICON leader Award,2025,” she said. “I thank all the leadership of Binary University Malaysia led by its founder Professor Joseph Adaikalam, for allowing God to use you to recognise my humble contribution to my homeland because there is no other way you would have heard me. Thank you for coming all the way from Malaysia to confer this noble award upon me. This award is simply a testament to the goodness of the Lord in my life as He alone enabled and empowered me to serve Him,” she said. She went on to thank God for always guiding her throughout her life. “In my life when our family was in exile, God would surprise me from time to time. He would always reveal to me that He is God and He cares,” she revealed. “An example is when He got me and my very young children out of Uganda and later out of Kenya. God would place somebody at the place of our departure to ensure that we are safe.” Maama Janet also recalled that soon after President Museveni took overpower, an enemy in the form of HIV/ AIDS emerged and it was during that time that she founded UWESO to support orphans and children affected by HIV. “Then, hardly the ray of hope started to shine on our nation following the new leadership of the state by my husband in 1986,then an enemy emerged amongst our people in the form of HIV/AIDS,” she said. Maama Janet then reflected that the epidemic served as a wakeup call, bringing back the memories she went through as a refugee and this inspired her to start an organisation to support and save the orphans, war affected people and those who had acquired HIV. “It was God waking me to that memory that helped me start an organization that would care for orphans. We called that organization UWESO and this organization is proud to have rescued, rehabilitated and provided holistic care to orphans,” she remarked. In addition, Maama Janet also highlighted her support to rural women by helping them improve their livelihoods, develop new skills and access opportunities. She also expressed humility over her own contributions especially to the people of Karamoja. “Now of course l am in government, I was the first Minister of Karamoja region, a region where people suffered so much insecurity due to cattle rustling, l am very glad to have contributed to the socio-economic transformation of the people in that region by the Grace of God,” she said. Maama Janet also called upon the young generation to always be inspired by good acts of leaders, be hardworking and patriotic. “My prayer now is that this prestigious award will inspire our young population to lay their own brick on this building called Uganda. May we all be inspired to do our part,” she said. Maama Janet concluded by thanking President Museveni for his support to the programmes aimed at empowering women and improving education outcomes nationwide. Hon. JC Muyingo, the Minister of State for Higher Education gave a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Education. He congratulated the First Lady upon receiving the international woman Icon Award, 2025. “Maama, this esteemed honour from the Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship stands as a profound testament to your steadfast leadership, your God given wisdom and the transformative reforms you continue to champion within our Ministry”, he said. He commended Maama Janet for her visionary leadership, noting that it has helped in widening of new opportunities. “Through your vision, we have witnessed the strengthening of institutions, the advancement of quality education and the widening of opportunities for learners across our nation. Your commitment has yielded real and measurable progress, inspiring us to serve with renewed purpose and dedication,” he remarked. Professor Joseph Adaikalam, the founder and Chancellor Binary University, Malaysia said he was deeply honoured to gather, recognise and celebrate the Maama Janet. “I am deeply honoured to celebrate an exceptional woman whose compassion and commitment to humility continue to inspire the world,” he said. “This award is the highest and most prestigious and only one person receives this award per year in the World,” he said, stating that the most distinguished is Maama Janet this year. He further acknowledged President Museveni’s sincere commitment to transforming Uganda, noting that he has shaped Uganda through productivity, industrialization and the middle-income status which has yielded economic confidence. Binary University Malaysia focuses mainly on entrepreneurship, promoting investment and has nurtured hundreds of young entrepreneurs and it mainly focuses on producing graduates who are not only academically smart but industry ready. The event was also attended by a team from Binary University, government officials, among others.

2025-11-22

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WOOS IGANGA AS HE RECOUNTS LIBERATION STRUGGLE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday 21st November 2025, delivered one of his most personal and historically reflective campaign speeches as he held his second-last rally in the Busoga sub-region. Addressing thousands of supporters who filled the Iganga District Headquarters grounds, President Museveni intertwined wartime memories with an extensive review of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s achievements over the last four decades. He asked Ugandans to judge the party based on what he called its “seven pillars” of contribution to Uganda: peace, development, wealth creation, jobs, education, infrastructure, and social services. The NRM presidential flagbearer narrated his clandestine operations in Iganga during the 1970s, recalling how he secretly entered the district with 12 machine guns ferried from Tanzania and passed through Kenya before reaching the Iganga railway station. His recollection of hiding the weapons in a small lodge - whose ownership he challenged locals to research- set the pace for his campaign message. “I thank God because many of these areas were our fighting zones,” President Museveni said. “In 1971 and 1972, this was a very small place. The town used to start where the police station is, and there were only a few buildings. There was a new lodge on the side of Busesa. I remember arriving with 12 machine guns and storing them in that small lodge while waiting for nightfall to enter Kampala safely,” he further narrated. The President described how he spent a full day pretending to be a passenger at the car park, boarding a truck to Namasagali simply to avoid arousing suspicion. “After washing and having breakfast, I locked my room and went to the car park. They were announcing destinations, and I listened for the furthest—Namasagali. I traveled there just to kill time before returning around 5 pm and then proceeding to Kampala at night with my guns,” he recalled. President Museveni said such memories make his presence in Busoga deeply emotional, especially when he sees residents celebrating peacefully—something he attributed directly to the NRM’s legacy. “So, when I'm here during the day, enjoying with my people who are celebrating, I thank God,” Candidate Museveni stated, reminding supporters that Uganda’s stability was hard-won. Gen. Museveni placed peace at the top of NRM’s contributions since 1986. He listed insurgencies such as Alice Lakwena’s Holy Spirit Movement and others that destabilized parts of the country in the late 1980s and early 1990s. “Even after 1986, there were still wars and instability. But now there is total peace in Uganda. Who has brought that? It is the NRM. Nobody else,” he explained. He urged supporters to compare Uganda’s past turmoil with today’s peace and security, arguing that peace is the cornerstone upon which the rest of the country’s progress has been built. The President said the NRM’s second major contribution has been the building of development infrastructure—both economic and social—which he defined in two categories: economic and social development. President Museveni pointed to several key roads in Busoga and Eastern Uganda that have been constructed or rehabilitated under NRM’s tenure, including the Kampala–Malaba Highway, which he said has been repaired multiple times, Nakalama–Tirinyi–Pallisa–Mbale Road, a significant commercial route, and Iganga–Kaliro Road, which serves major agricultural zones. He reassured residents that the long-awaited Iganga–Buloopa–Kamuli Road is now fully funded. “The money is there,” he declared. On water coverage, President Museveni revealed that Iganga District’s rural safe water coverage now stands at 77%, with 178 out of 231 villages accessing safe water. Only 22.9% of the villages remain without reliable water sources. The President said that when NRM assumed power, electricity barely extended beyond Mbale. “The plan then was to extend power to all districts, and that has been achieved across Uganda except Buvuma,” he said. In Iganga specifically, all 11 sub-counties have been connected to the national grid, though he said two sub-counties still require additional support. The next step, he added, is taking electricity to the parish and village levels. Regarding schools and education infrastructure, President Museveni gave a detailed assessment of education facilities in Iganga which includes 99 government primary schools in 42 parishes, though 11 still have no government primary school, which he blamed on poor distribution by district officials. “You have more schools than parishes, yet some parishes do not have a government primary school. Why don’t you start by ensuring each parish gets one before adding more in already-served parishes?” he questioned. On secondary education, President Museveni noted that Iganga has 9 government secondary schools and more new secondary schools are being constructed, which will leave only one sub-county in Iganga without a government secondary school once complete. On health infrastructure, President Museveni noted that Iganga has one hospital, one Health Centre IV, ten Health Centre IIIs, while one sub-county still lacks any health facility. “We plan to upgrade Naibiri Health Centre II to a Health Centre III to close the gap,” he said. Wealth creation: The President expressed concern that many Ugandans still confuse development—such as roads, electricity, and infrastructure—with wealth, which he said must be generated at the household level. He used a familiar Busoga proverb - “Akange kakira akaife” to explain his point. “The tarmac road is ours, but wealth and poverty are yours personally,” he told the crowd. “You may leave a rally like this one and find poverty waiting for you at home.” President Museveni said that this misunderstanding is the reason the NRM, as early as the 1996 manifesto, promoted the “4-acre model,” where small landholders allocate one acre to coffee, another to fruits, a third to pasture for dairy, and a fourth to food crops, complemented by backyard enterprises such as poultry, piggery, or fish farming. He cited success stories from across Uganda to demonstrate the effectiveness of NRM’s approach, and highlighted two model farmers: George Matongo of Nakaseke, who built a profitable dairy enterprise without tarmac roads or electricity, and Johnson Basangwa of Kamuli, who earns approximately 600 million shillings per month from poultry farming and now employs 300 workers. “These examples show that you can become wealthy even without tarmac or electricity,” the President said. “The medicine we told you in 1996 is correct.” The President contrasted intensive farming with extensive farming, which involves crops like sugarcane, maize, cotton, tobacco, or large-scale livestock that require vast land. “Sugarcane can earn you about 3.6 to 4 million shillings per acre per year. But Basangwa earns 7.2 billion shillings a year from poultry on 27 acres,” he noted, underscoring the advantage of high-value, intensive enterprises. President Museveni defended both the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). He said the real challenge is not the programs themselves, but the decisions households make with the money. “You have seen people from Karamoja who rose out of poverty through OWC. The program was across the whole country, but results depend on what individuals choose to do with the support,” he argued. He emphasized job creation as another major NRM achievement, citing Sino-Mbale Industrial Park, home to 75 factories employing 12,000 people, and Namanve Industrial Park, with 273 factories employing 44,000 people. “Altogether, the factories are employing 1.3 million Ugandans. The government jobs are 480,000, meaning the factory jobs are three times more than those in the government, and yet the factories are still coming up,” President Museveni stated. President Museveni also continued to criticize government school administrators for illegally charging fees, arguing that such practices undermine universal education. “That is why I started skilling hubs,” he explained. “Children are dropping out because of fees, yet after six months of training, they can make shoes, furniture, liquid soap, and clothes, things we were importing.” He praised the Presidential Skilling hub in Nakabango,Jinja, for transforming young people’s lives. During the rally, he listened to testimonies from youths such as Takwana Edris, who acquired construction skills at the same center, and Sharifa Nakato, who left school in P.6 but later trained in hairdressing and received 10 million shillings to start her own salon. She now employs 10 people. On the other hand, President Museveni urged NRM supporters to clearly articulate the party’s historical and ongoing contributions when seeking votes. “You must be clear about these contributions - peace, development, wealth creation, jobs, and the rest,” he said. “People talk about many things and get disoriented. Tell them the seven contributions. The NRM knows how to diagnose problems and find solutions,” he added. At the same event, NRM’s First National Vice Chairperson, Alhajji Moses Kigongo, rallied Busoga leaders and supporters to unite behind President Museveni. “This is the time to ask for votes for President Museveni and all NRM leaders. Unity and discipline will win us overwhelming support,” he said. The NRM Vice-Chairperson for Eastern Region, Mr. Calvin Echodu thanked President Museveni for completing the Busoga tour and educating the public about NRM’s seven contributions. “The people of Eastern Uganda have embraced your message,” he said. First Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga welcomed President Museveni and told him that Iganga hospital urgently needs upgrading into a regional referral facility due to the growing population and the hospital’s position along a major highway. “The NRM candidate is the only one capable of delivering what Busoga needs,” she said, urging residents to vote in big numbers. Iganga District NRM chairperson, Mr. Walubi Abubakar thanked the President for programs like PDM, detailing how Iganga District has received Shs 12.956 billion, all disbursed to 12,956 households, adding that Iganga Municipality received Shs 3.38 billion, benefiting 3,387 households. In total, 16,343 households have benefited from PDM. He also listed other government program beneficiaries such as the 5,251 youths under the Youth Livelihood Program, the 709 women under the Women’s Fund, and the 9,849 senior citizens under SAGE. Mr. Walubi requested President Museveni to help them fix the non-functional X-ray machine at Iganga Hospital and address the idle oxygen plant, which lacks the necessary three-phase electricity. Other demands included fast-tracking legislation to operationalize Busoga University, and supporting the establishment of an industrial park, with potential land available in Nakalama, Butende, and from a private landowner named Mugoya. The rally attracted prominent national figures, including former Vice President Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe; 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama; Minister of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba; Minister for Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda; and several MPs and NRM flagbearers from Busoga.

2025-11-21

JINJA: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CONCLUDES BUSOGA CAMPAIGN TRAIL, REAFFIRMS NRM’S SEVEN KEY CONTRIBUTIONS TO UGANDA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has this afternoon held his final campaign rally in the Busoga Sub-region at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe Ward, Jinja Northern Division. The President told supporters that the 2026–2031 NRM Manifesto is anchored on “strategic and tactical points” that emphasise the party’s seven key contributions over the last 40 years. “The first contribution is peace and security,” he said, recalling that Uganda once suffered from wars and rebel groups. “Rebel leaders like the group of Lakwena had come up to Magamaga, but now there is peace in the whole of Uganda.” On the second contribution— development—the President highlighted both economic and social infrastructure. He cited roads, electricity, and telecommunications as examples of economic infrastructure, noting that in Jinja the government has repeatedly rehabilitated the Tororo–Jinja and Kampala–Jinja roads. “We are also going to do the road from Amber Court, Budondo, Kamuli to Mbulamuti,” he added. He said social infrastructure in Jinja City “is quite good,” with 48 government primary schools and 215 private ones, as well as 10 government secondary schools and 79 private secondary schools. Four of the government-aided secondary schools provide both Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-O-Level Education and Training (UPOLET). However, the President cautioned that “what you should pay attention to is the distribution of these schools”, pointing out that Jinja Rural has 59 government primary schools across 34 parishes, yet 10 parishes still lack a single government primary school. He urged leaders to ensure balanced distribution. On the third NRM contribution—wealth creation—the President stressed that it must not be confused with development such as roads. “No one sleeps on the road,” he said. “Development is ours, but wealth is mine and my household.” He reiterated the need for homestead incomes and reminded the people of Jinja of his four-acre model, which includes coffee, fruits, pasture for dairy, food crops, and backyard enterprises like poultry, piggery for non-Muslims, and fish farming. President Museveni encouraged urban dwellers to utilise skilling centres established to empower youth in trades like tailoring, welding, bakery and other small-scale enterprises. “Some of you in Jinja are from rural areas, but even those in the city can do poultry farming,” he said. On job creation—the fourth contribution—the President explained that jobs emerge from wealth, especially through commercial agriculture and factories. He urged supporters to confidently defend the NRM record. “When you go back and someone asks you why you support NRM, tell them the seven contributions: peace, development, wealth creation, job creation, service delivery, economic integration, and the East African Federation.” NRM First National Vice Chairman, Alhajji Moses Kigongo, called for unity among party leaders, saying elections will come and go but cohesion is vital. He urged full support for President Museveni and all NRM flagbearers in the upcoming elections. The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga requested the establishment of an industrial park in Busoga, saying land is already available in Budondo. She also appealed for faster commencement of the Jinja Expressway, arguing that traffic on the current Jinja Road “slows down business because of the many cars it takes.” Former Vice President, Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe called for common user facilities to support youth engaged in innovation and requested additional skilling centres to curb high illiteracy levels in the region. The NRM Chairperson for Jinja City, Mr. Edwin Lufafa, thanked the President for the enormous development in Jinja City but noted challenges such as the lack of markets—citing Bugembe Ward, which has none—and the absence of a general hospital, pointing out that Jinja City relies solely on the regional referral hospital. Jinja District NRM Chairperson Mr. Moses Batwala also thanked the President for ongoing government programmes such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, which he said have supported livelihoods across the district. Before the rally, President Museveni officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Busoga Kingdom Headquarters, marking a major milestone in the cultural and administrative strengthening of Obwa Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga. The ceremony took place in Bugembe, Jinja City. The preliminary cost estimate for the construction of the complex is approximately Shs 80 billion. This includes the administration block, commercial blocks, and all external works, complete with installations, fittings and furniture. Additional Shs 50 billion is estimated for the Cultural Village, Museum, TV and Radios Stations, Shopping Center, Recreational Facilities and Infrastructure services including Solid Waste and Sewer Systems, High Voltage Power supply, Water, Internet and ICT Installations.

2025-11-21

KARAMOJA PEACE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY PROJECT

DOWNLOAD THE RELEASE FROM LINK BELOW

2025-11-20