ARTICLE BY HIS EXCELLENCY YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI REGARDING BAD FISHING

*THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA* *ARTICLE* *BY* *HIS EXCELLENCY YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI* *PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA* *REGARDING* *BAD FISHING* *20TH OCTOBER, 2025* *BAD FISHING IS AGAINST SCIENCE AND AGAINST TRADITION* Fellow Ugandans, there is controversy going on about the Fisheries Protection Unit of the UPDF and those who are accused of bad fishing practices. This is the story of fishing as I know it. Fishing (okujuba) is part of the ancient myooga (livelihood specializations) of this area. In the Ankore – Mpororo – Kyigyezi – Tooro – Bunyoro area, I grew up seeing fish from a distance because many of the Banyankore did not eat fish in the past. I, however, would see People using entukuru (basket snares) and emikoyo (some sort of fungus got from ant-hills), to catch eshoonzi (mud-fish). In 1958, I was part of a School trip of Kyamate Boys’ School, when we visited the Katunguru fishing processing centre and another centre known as TUFMUC on Lake George. At Mbarara High School and Ntare, we would see Peugeot 204 pick-ups, travelling at dangerous speeds, rushing to Kampala, taking the fish from the Katunguru area and even Lake Nyakyivaale (they were calling it Maziinga, then). These vehicles were called: “Zivuunda” (“the fish is in danger of rotting!”). The implication was that they must drive recklessly fast and reach Kampala before the fish rots. Many of these happenings in Uganda got off my screen during the 16 years we were in the resistance (1971-1986). In 1986 and even by 1980 after Amin, there was no more TUFMAC and no more Zivuunda. About the Entukuru (the basket snares for the mud fish), I did not get time to check. I inquired whether there was any modern fish processing facility in Uganda and there was none. Fortunately, after being in State House for a few days, an Italian Minister, Professor Francisco Forte, came to see me. In our conversation, he told me that there was USD 20 million that the Italian Government had put aside for Uganda. However, given the instability of the Country prior to NRM’s coming into Government, the money had not been touched. I immediately requested him to build a Fish Processing Factory for Uganda. The Italian Government used USD 14 million to build the Masese Fish Processing Factory. I can, therefore, be accused of being the instigator of the fish rush onto the lakes. The moment People knew there was money in fish, factories flocked in and so did the bad fishermen. By 2010, there were 22 factories bringing into the Country USD 158.5 million per year and employing 5.3 million Ugandans. However, at the same time, illegal fishing also started. The illegal fishing uses nets with small holes that catch young fish. Responsible fishing should ensure that only a fish of 11 inches (tilapia) should be caught. This would be weighing more than 1kg and would already have laid eggs at least more than once. Each time a fish such as tilapia lays eggs, it lays 100 to 1500 eggs. It is such a productive industry. However, when you use a net with holes below 5 inches, you catch fish that is still below 1kg and it has not laid eggs. It is a real genocide against fish. These bad fishermen, do not only eat enyena of fish (the female calves of fish), they also destroy the breeding bays of fish known as ebyoondo in Luganda. This is where tilapia and other types of fish lay their eggs. The Nile Perch lays its eggs deep in the lake in the rocks known as ebyeema. These bad fishermen, do not follow either Science or tradition. In tradition, they had some taboos that protected the lake and the fishing industry. One taboo, for instance, was “the Ancestors would tell other fishermen that places spared for fish breeding had marine spirits (Emisambwa). But this was not true, they were just sparing such places for fish breeding.” These bad fishermen, ignored all these taboos. As a consequence of all these mistakes, the fish stocks in lakes dropped and the factories that had flooded in, started closing. By the time, I brought in the Fish Protection Unit, only 8 factories out of the 22 were still open and they were also about to close. 12 factories are now open. My questions to the People of the fishing areas were: “Who are these that do not observe science and do not observe tradition?” “Why are the traditional fishing Communities not protecting the fishing industry like the Banyankore protected the Ankore long-horn cattle, the other Ugandans have protected the millet, the bananas, etc?” The answer I got, was that these invaders came with a lot of force and could not listen to the indigenous elders and their guidance. What, therefore, is needed, is for the indigenous fishing groups, area by area, to take the lead so that they supplement the science with their traditional knowledge so that the Fisheries Industry is preserved. Our plan is to develop a massive fish farming Industry, using Government equipment to excavate fish ponds on the periphery of all the swamps in Busoga, Bukedi, Teso, Lango, the Luwero area and the Nile Valley. Therefore, the Communities will be helped to use the wetlands more profitably and also restore the wetlands so that they keep the water for irrigation for the terrestrial Parts of the Country. It is, therefore, not necessary to go on crowding into the lakes using hazardous ways of fishing. Even if you did not care about the Fishing Industry in the lakes and rivers and, out of cheap popularity you said that let the lake invaders do whatever they want, we would face bigger problems. Yes, the remaining factories would close and the invaders would deplete all the fish from the lakes and the rivers. However, that would not be all. The fish in the lake are part of the balance of nature. In the lakes, the fish are eaten but they also eat. The Nile Perch eats the other fish. However, they also eat planktons — these are microscopic plants and animals. Some of these take oxygen from the lakes. When they are eaten by fish, they remain in check. If, however, they are not eaten when the fish has disappeared, they will multiply so much, take all the oxygen from the water, leading to the death of all living animals in the lakes: the toads, the frogs, the snakes etc. These help to keep the balance of nature by eating the larvae of mosquitoes, the other insects like the lake flies, etc. Therefore, the fish are not only for the economy and food for some of the People, but also important for the ecological balance and even for Public Health by controlling mosquitoes. Working with the indigenous fishing Communities as the lead-agents area by area, we should study how to implement the following: (1) Create a fishing fund, separate from PDM to enable the legitimate and legal local fishermen to acquire the right boats and the right fishing nets that will only catch the mature fish but not the mudeke (the enyena — female calves of fish). (2) Only allow a limited, appropriate number and stop the mujuzo (flooding into the lakes and the rivers). Even Namboole has a limit as to how many spectators should be allowed in the stadium. Here you need legitimate criteria. That is why I emphasize the indigenous communities, area by area. This does not exclude the others. However, you must have a clear criteria as to why A and not B. (3) All the fish breeding areas, must be identified, gazetted and protected. Nobody should fish there or build there — landing sites, resorts, etc. How about cultivating on the nearby shores? The fisheries experts will guide us. The breeding centres near the shore are called ebyoondo which means mud in Runyankore. These are for the tilapia (engege). The Nile Perch breeds in the rocks, deep in the lake. They are called ebyeema, which means a bull mounting a cow in Runyankore. These must also be appropriately protected. (4) However, the real answer to fish production is fish-farming at the edges of the swamps in Busoga, the Luwero area, Bukedi, Teso, Lango, Acholi and the Nile Valley. This is literally a gold mine. The global demand for fish and fish products is USD 391billion while that of coffee is USD 460 billion. From my fish pond in Lango, under Dr. Ocen, as part of my 4 acres model, I get Ug. Sh. 100 million per harvest of the fish, after feeding them for 8-9 months. All the experiments I have done in Kawumu, Kabaale, Limoto, etc, show that fish-farming is a gold mine. It would end the misuse of the wetlands by growing rice from where you only get Sh. 1.3 million per acre per year. In an acre, you can have 2 fish ponds of 20 metres by 50 metres. The fishermen are 7,000 years behind the cattle keepers, who started domesticating cows that far back. Fish farming would shift economic use from the centre of the swamp, as is with rice now, to the periphery of swamp (Mwiga); thereby restoring the swamp in the centre, restoring the water in the centre that can be used for irrigation and the swamp grasses such as the bigugu (Cyperum Latifolia) that is always used for mulching gardens (kwarira). Therefore, bad fishing is both dangerous and unnecessary. Dr. Muranga at Bushenyi, through the use of irrigation and fertilizers, gets 53 tonnes of bananas per hectare per year while the nearby Banyankore get only 5.3 tonnes per hectare, per year. (5) There are other economic diversification efforts that the State House Staff, led by Dr. Hillary Musoke and team, have already started in the areas of Najja, Ngogwe, Nyenga, Bukunja and Kiyindi in Buikwe District. They help the former fishermen to engage in alternative enterprises which include: Fish fingerlings, feeds for both cage and pond fish farming, poultry farming, cattle keeping, piggery, etc. These efforts will be expanded and intensified. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

2025-10-28

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI GRACES ST. JUDE THADDEUS’ 71ST NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today joined thousands of Christians at St. Jude Thaddeus Church, Naguru to commemorate the 71st National Day of St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of desperate and lost causes. The main celebrant was Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bungoma in Kenya, Bishop Mark Kadima Wamukoya accompanied by pilgrims from Kenya. In his remarks, President Museveni urged the faithful to strengthen their faith and family values, emphasizing that faith plays a vital role in shaping national strength and unity, especially during times of trouble. He commended the faithful for their commitment and encouraged them to uphold the teachings of both Christianity and Islam, saying they have greatly contributed to the moral and spiritual growth and value addition of society. “I support the work of Christianity and Islam because I am from the indigenous groups of this place. Christianity added the concept of resurrection when we die, there is another life. Resurrection was new to us,” President Museveni said. He added that Christianity added values, and these have helped shape Uganda’s transition from traditional belief systems to organized religion, which has in turn influenced the nation’s moral and social development. “These ideas helped us shape our movement from tradition to religion, and that’s how we got some of our values. We were created in the image of God when you don’t like me, you don’t like God,” he said. “We were created in the image of God, so when you don’t like me, you are really rejecting God, nzembagala mwena tewali gwenkyawa,” he added. The President also reminded the faithful about overcoming selfishness and the importance of love as the foundation of moral conduct. “The ten commandments are summarized into two, love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself. This is very important for value addition in society,” he noted. He further advised the faithful not to live in vengeance. “Jesus came with the message of unconditional forgiveness, therefore I find it very easy and rewarding,” he said. In his concluding remarks, President Museveni expressed gratitude for being invited to the celebrations and pledged to take a greater interest in the works of St. Jude Thaddeus. “I am very happy to be here. I am glad you invited me. I will now take more interest in St. Jude, not only as part of supporting faith but also as part of promoting religious tourism,” the President added. The Parish Priest of St. Jude Catholic Church Naguru, Rev. Fr. John Mary Bwire, warmly welcomed the President expressing deep appreciation for his presence. “Your presence today fills our hearts with renewed hope, it affirms the respect of our government that accords to the role of faith in shaping national character, fostering social development and unity, “he said. This event underscored the importance of faith in nation building, noting that religious institutions create a big role in creating discipline and unity.

2025-10-28

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.

2025-10-28

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI COMMENDS INDIAN COMMUNITY FOR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS UGANDA’S ECONOMY

Despite making up less than one per cent of Uganda’s population, the Indian Community, according to reports from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, contributes at least 65 per cent of the nation's income tax revenue. This contribution was the basis for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s speech, in which he commended the Indian Community for shielding Uganda’s economy through investment in industry and services. President Museveni made the remarks at State House, Entebbe during the Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrations on Sunday, 26th October, 2025. “The economy is growing on account of your entrepreneurial capacities. By investing in factories and services, you are helping us to create a middle and skilled working class and revenue base for the government from which we can get money to educate Ugandans so that through business and education, we can create a modern society. I therefore appreciate what you are doing,” President Museveni said. He thanked the Indian Community for restoring their trust in Uganda despite initial setbacks climaxed by the 1972 economic war orchestrated by Idi Amin Dada that saw at least 80,000 Indians expelled from Uganda. “I went to an Indian temple in London and found some Indians there who were lamenting about Amin’s actions. I told them that Amin did more damage to Africans than Indians; he damaged our economy and killed several people. I am therefore very glad that you came back when we called you, thank you for trusting Uganda again,” he added. By 1972, Uganda had a population of 80,000 Indians with property totaling to 40,000. Today, the Indian Community is estimated to have about 40,000 members, many of whom are rooted in enterprises that support production, supply chains and employment across the country. The Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E Singh Rawat expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his public acknowledgement of the Indian community’s substantial contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic development. “We welcome your continued encouragement for investment in value-addition and manufacturing. We also commend the steps taken under your administration to restore property rights and welcome back members of the diaspora who have revived economic activity,” H.E. Rawat noted. The Minister for Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, also commended the Indian community for “shielding our economy and President Museveni for enabling the environment.” She called for more Indian investors in Uganda. “We should use this year's Diwali to attract other strategic friends to join you in investing in Uganda.” Mr. Paresh Mehta, the chairman of the Indian Association of Uganda, concurred with President Museveni that the expulsion of Asians was more painful to Ugandans than it was for Asians themselves. “Uganda lost a part of its productive and enterprising spirit, but it is the same land, the same people, only the vision has changed. But under your Excellency’s leadership, the vision has transformed Uganda into a country of opportunity and progress.” An example of Indian families, Ruparelias, Madhvanis and Mehtas stand as pillars of Uganda’s industrial and social progress. Sudhir Ruparelia specifically arrived in Uganda with 25,000 USD (Shs86m) but through an opportunity under the NRM government, he has managed to build a business empire worth USD 1.6bn. On an international level, Uganda and India share deep historical ties that have matured into broad engagement across trade, investment, development cooperation, technology transfer and defence cooperation. Accordingly, bilateral trade between the two countries has crossed the $1.2 billion USD mark. From a humanitarian perspective, so far, the Indian community has sent 238 children to India for life-saving heart surgeries along with their caretakers, and another 100 children will be sent next year. The community has also collectively donated 65,000 units of blood through their ongoing drives to celebrate Diwali, including the most recent at Singo Military Training School in Nakaseke and at the Sai Centre on Mawanda Road in Kampala. This is the 8th Diwali Dinner being hosted by President Museveni since 2013.

2025-10-27

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RECEIVES $53M MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM RUSSIA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed Russia as a historically and ideological partner in Africa’s liberation struggle, emphasizing that Uganda’s relationship with Moscow extends far beyond defense cooperation. The President made the remarks on Sunday, October 26, 2025, while officiating at a ceremony where the Russian Federation donated defense equipment valued at $53 million to the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF). He also launched the Military Mechanised Major Repair Facility at Gaddafi Military Barracks, Magamaga, and a workshop in Entebbe that is under construction. The donated equipment includes obstacle clearers, trench diggers, boats, workshops, and a coastal station, assets that the President described as “very important and practical contributions” to Uganda’s defense infrastructure. “I want to thank His Excellency Vladimir Putin for this donation of various equipment valued at $53 million. All of them are good, and they make work so easy.” H.E. Museveni said, adding that Russia’s gesture inspires further collaboration. President Museveni traced the roots of Africa’s political liberation and international solidarity, crediting the Soviet Union’s 1917 revolution as a turning point in global politics that gave hope to colonized nations. “By 1900, the whole of Africa, except for Ethiopia, had been colonized. The first Africans to organize for liberation were the South Africans, who formed the ANC in 1912. But globally, we were isolated. The only friends of African freedom fighters were African Americans,” he said. President Museveni further noted that the 1949 communist revolution in China cemented a new era of international solidarity, with both Russia and China providing material and ideological support to anti-colonial movements in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. “Therefore, our relationship with Russia is not just defense and security—it is ideological and strategic,” President Museveni emphasized. The Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his consistent guidance and prioritization of defense as a pillar of national development. “We want to thank you for the strategic guidance and leadership that you give to our ministry and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces. Your wise decisions in prioritizing security and defense matters as a precondition for development continue to shape our success,” Hon. Oboth said, while expressing gratitude to the Russian government for its continued generosity and support, and reaffirming Uganda’s readiness to strengthen its defense ties with Moscow. Representing the Chief of Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of Land Forces, lauded Russia’s gesture as a sign of genuine partnership and historical continuity. “This assistance is not just equipment and resources. It represents a powerful commitment to security, peace, and stability for all,” Gen. Kayanja said, emphasizing that the new support would empower the UPDF to perform its duties with increased efficiency. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Uganda, H.E Vladlen Semivolos reaffirmed the long-standing friendship between Russia and Uganda, grounded in principles of mutual trust, non-interference, and respect for national sovereignty, adding that Russia was among the first countries to recognize Uganda’s independence. He also lauded President Museveni for his leadership in fostering national independence and regional stability. “We are pleased to see that under His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Uganda continues to develop as a strong, independent, democratic, and prosperous country,” Ambassador Vladlen said, referencing the meeting between Presidents Museveni and Russia’s Putin at the Second Russia–Africa Summit in 2023, which he said laid a strong foundation for deepening bilateral relations. In recognition of the longstanding partnership, 10 Russian dignitaries were awarded the National Independence Diamond Jubilee Medal for their contributions to strengthening Uganda’s sovereignty and defense. The medal, conferred under Section 3 of the National Honors and Awards Act (2001, Cap 173), recognizes individuals who have rendered outstanding service and loyalty to the country, especially those who have contributed significantly to the protection and promotion of Uganda’s independence. The event drew a high-level audience from Uganda’s defense and security establishment. Among those present were: Ms. Rosette Byengoma, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Lt. Gen. Jack Agonza Bakasumba, UPDF Chief of Joint Staff, Maj. Gen. D.K. Sande, Commander of the UPDF Armored Division. Others were Maj. Gen. Moses Rwakitarate, Commander of the 3rd Headquarters Vital Assets Infantry Brigade, Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa, Joint Staff (Policy and Strategy), Brig. Gen. Richard Wakainja, Head, CBT Engineers Brigade, Brig. Gen. Goodwin Karugaba, Joint Staff (Logistics), Brig. Gen. Robert Mugabe, Joint Staff (Finance), Brig. Gen. Akankunda, Joint Staff (Operations), and Senior Superintendent of Police Kyeyune Edirisa, the Regional Police Commander for Busoga Eastern Region.

2025-10-27

KOTIDO: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PLEDGES INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION IN KARAMOJA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, has today held his campaign rally in Kotido District at Lomukura Primary School, Kotido Central Division in Kotido Municipality. President Museveni began his address by commending the people of Karamoja for embracing peace and supporting government efforts to disarm the region. “Our first point in the NRM Manifesto is peace. When we stopped guns, there was a woman in Nakapiripirit I will never forget — she had been married to nine men, and all of them died because of the gun,” the President recalled. He thanked the Karamojong who helped in the disarmament process and specifically appreciated individuals like Natuk Judith for convincing the Karachunas (youth warriors) to voluntarily hand over guns. “I want to thank the youth groups who helped me. Now you can see peace — not only in Karamoja but in the whole of Uganda. What was causing war was not much, only greed, where someone thinks about himself alone. The NRM rejected all that,” he said. President Museveni added that by rejecting the politics of tribe and religion, the NRM built a strong and united political movement that wins elections in the first round and has established solid state institutions such as the Army and Police. On development, the President noted that the government has extended electricity from Soroti through Kotido to Karenga, improving communication and connectivity in the region. “We were able to bring electricity all the way from Soroti to Kotido to Karenga. Your problem with telephones is now solved, and the next issue to tackle is roads — like the tarmac from Lira to Kitgum up to Sudan. We are also going to work on the Moroto–Kotido road,” he said. He cautioned that the government must prioritize infrastructure before increasing salaries. “When we tell our teachers to hold on as we construct roads, they say, ‘No, you have to pay us now.’ But development benefits everyone — wealth is yours alone, but development is for all,” President Museveni emphasized. The President revealed plans to transform Karamoja into an industrial hub for Uganda, citing ongoing and planned private investments such as cement factories which have been attracted by peace and stability. President Museveni also highlighted government efforts to improve water access in Kotido. “The water situation here is still low — out of 491 villages, only 125 have access to safe water. But we are working to change that,” he said. He noted that the government has already constructed three piped water systems in Kotido and several valley dams to support both human and livestock needs. “These include the Sinat Valley Dam with a capacity of 4.4 billion litres, Kaoyagorok Dam with 1.7 billion litres, and the Kailong Earth Dam with 167 million litres. Twenty-two valley tanks and solar-powered irrigation systems have also been completed,” President Museveni said, adding that more projects are under construction, including high-yielding boreholes and small-scale irrigation schemes. On education, the President reiterated his commitment to providing free education in government schools. “I have been having a challenge with school managers who charge fees in government schools. So, I decided to start skilling hubs per zone to show that free education is possible,” he said. “These skilling hubs train students for just six months for free, and they are now producing items that we used to import from China,” President Museveni explained. On health, President Museveni revealed that Kotido District has 15 sub-counties with one referral hospital and seven Health Centre IIIs. He pledged to continue upgrading and expanding health facilities across the district. “We are upgrading Kacheri Health Centre III to IV, and converting several others like Lokiding, Losakucha, Lopuyo, and Nakwakwa from Health Centre IIs to IIIs. New Health Centre IIIs will also be constructed in the West and North Divisions,” he said. Maama Janet, in her remarks, thanked the people of Karamoja for their overwhelming support. “I am so happy to be in Karamoja. Coming here is like coming home,” she said. She called on residents to embrace transformation in the next Kisanja (term), emphasizing that the government’s goal is to ensure that there are no more grass-thatched houses and that development spreads across the region. “The message of transformation is very important for Karamoja in the next Kisanja so that there will be tremendous development in the whole sub-region,” she added. Dr. Lokii John Baptist, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Karamoja region, thanked President Museveni for restoring democracy and peace in the region. He praised the UPDF for helping to remove illegal guns and pledged 100 percent support for the President in the upcoming elections. Dr. Lochap Paul, the NRM Chairperson for Kotido District, also thanked the President for upgrading central roads to tarmac, saying it has spurred local growth. He requested the creation of Kapeta District to bring services closer to the people and appealed for pardon of the Karachunas involved in past disarmament incidents. He further appreciated the establishment of the skilling hub in Napak District, which is training youth from across the Karamoja sub-region.

2025-10-27