PRESIDENT MUSEVENI VOWS TO RESOLVE KASOKOSO LAND DISPUTE, PLEDGES MORE SUPPORT TO GHETTO SACCOS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promised to resolve a long-standing land ownership dispute affecting thousands of residents in Kasokoso-Kiganda, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. The President made the pledge today during his fourth day of the Parish Development Model (PDM) assessment tour across Wakiso, where he addressed a large gathering from the ghetto community of Kasokoso-Kiganda. Addressing residents, President Museveni acknowledged hearing about the contested land for the first time and assured the community that the matter would be fully investigated and resolved within six weeks. “I’m going to study the issue of the land. I was aware of the land of Bukasa, but this is new to me. I’m going to study it. The one involving National Housing, Uganda Police, and the individuals. Within one and a half months, I would have resolved the issue of the land,” President Museveni stated. The matter was brought to the President’s attention by the NRM Chairperson for Kira Municipality, Mr. Muyanja Umar, who revealed that over 20,000 residents were living under fear of eviction. He explained that the ownership of the 258 acres of land in Kasokoso is contested by several entities, including the Uganda Police, National Housing, and private individuals. He further disclosed that some residents had already been evicted by the police and were now taking shelter in churches and mosques. During the same engagement, the President listened to several complaints from residents about the mismanagement of PDM and Emyooga funds. Ms. Namutebi Doreen from Kireka reported that despite forming SACCOs in their parishes, funds were being misallocated to relatives and friends, denying genuine beneficiaries access. President Museveni called on the public to take active roles in the management and oversight of SACCOs, urging transparency and accountability in the disbursement of government funds. “The SACCO of the parish should be launched by all residents of that parish. Everyone should participate and be informed about how much money has been received and what each person is supposed to get,” President Museveni said. He added that fair selection of beneficiaries by parish committees would ensure equitable distribution. To address these concerns, the President said he would send Hon. Ssozi Galabuzi, the PDM National Coordinator, to assess the structures and implementation of programs in Kasokoso. The President also made a personal contribution of UGX 30 million to Kasokoso SACCO and pledged to capitalize each SACCO in Kira Municipality with UGX 100 million. Using a popular Baganda proverb, "Eyetuze tebamukaabira" (they don’t mourn the one who commits suicide), the President criticized residents for electing opposition MPs who, he claimed, had neglected their responsibilities. “You elected opposition Members of Parliament who, after getting their salaries, don’t mind about your issues. If they ask you to support them and say they will solve your land problems, they’re deceiving you,” he said. “Don’t waste time with those in the opposition.” Mr. Ivan Nyombi, coordinator of the Kira Ghetto Structure, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for integrating ghetto youth into government programs. “Many funds have been coming, but we didn’t have access to them. We have been praying to get someone who understands us the way we are, and it’s NRM that came to our rescue,” he said. Mr. Erias Ssentaayi shared that ghetto residents supporting the NRM were often discriminated against, especially during past elections. He claimed he was evicted from his home in 2021 due to his political allegiance. The event was attended by various NRM leaders from Kira Municipality and marked the continuation of the President’s five-day wealth creation and PDM assessment tour. The tour aims to evaluate government initiatives and mobilize citizens for active participation in household-level economic transformation.

2025-07-10

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES WAKISO LEADERS TO FOCUS ON WEALTH CREATION, JOBS AND SERVICES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on leaders in Wakiso District to get deeply organised at the grassroots and focus on practical measures to transform people’s livelihoods. The President made these remarks today while addressing leaders at the Wakiso District Headquarters on the fourth day of his Parish Development Model (PDM) assessment tour in the district. President Museveni urged leaders to actively engage with local structures, starting at the parish level, to ensure no family is left behind. He stressed that every leader should know the exact number of residents in their parish, noting that accurate data makes it easier to coordinate with the government to deliver targeted services. “Leaders are like doctors — before treating people, you must first diagnose the problems affecting them,” the President advised. He shared personal anecdotes, recalling how in the 1960s he prioritised wealth over development by acquiring land in Rwakitura for commercial farming instead of waiting for tarmac roads and electricity. He explained that the infrastructure eventually caught up, but the wealth he built came first through commercial agriculture. The President outlined five pillars he urged leaders to focus on: peace, development, wealth creation, jobs, and services. He emphasised that creating wealth — particularly through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries — naturally leads to jobs, especially for young people. “If there is no wealth, there are no jobs,” he warned, encouraging leaders to ask themselves how many families in their areas are engaged in commercial agriculture. President Museveni further reiterated his call to fight corruption in government service delivery and urged leaders to explore markets for local products, which he promised to discuss further. The NRM Director for Mobilization, Hon. Rosemary Seninde, representing the party Secretary General, reported growing support for the NRM since the last general elections in 2021. Speaking on behalf of district leaders, Hon. Moses Mayanja, the former NRM Chairman flag bearer for Wakiso District, delivered a detailed and data-driven progress report capturing both achievements and remaining gaps in the district’s transformation journey. Mr. Mayanja further noted the visible success of the Emyooga programme, launched to accelerate wealth creation and financial inclusion. Since 2021, the district has formed 467 digitised Emyooga samples which collectively received over 10.2 billion shillings in seed capital. These groups have mobilised 2.7 billion shillings in member revenues and disbursed 11.3 billion shillings in loans to micro-entrepreneurs, especially benefiting women and youth who are expanding small businesses, adding value to products, and reaching wider markets. Despite this progress, Mr. Mayanja pointed out that Wakiso’s rapidly growing population — now estimated at around 4.1 million — creates pressure on existing programmes. He explained that out of approximately 333,000 eligible households under the Parish Development Model, only about 2,262 have benefited so far, prompting leaders to propose that the government increase the PDM allocation per parish beyond the current 3.1 billion shillings to ensure broader coverage.

2025-07-10

“DON’T LET ANYONE SPOIL THE FREEDOM USHERED IN BY OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS” – COL. WILSON BAGONZA URGES SFC AS INTER-UNIT RIFLE COMPETITION COMES TO AN END

The Commander of the Three Special Forces Group, Col. Wilson Bagonza, has urged members of the Special Forces Command (SFC) to remain vigilant and committed in safeguarding the hard-earned freedom ushered in by Uganda’s liberation heroes. He made the remarks on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, while officiating at the closure of the third edition of the SFC Inter-Unit Rifle Competition, held at the Fort Samora Machel UPDF Special Forces Training School in Kaweweta, where he represented the Commander of the SFC, Maj. Gen. David Mugisha. Col. Bagonza emphasized the importance of training, discipline, and historical responsibility. He quoted General Achilleus, saying, “We do not rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training,” and added a profound reminder from General Douglas MacArthur: “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” “What we are doing here is the preservation of the freedom brought by our freedom fighters, led by His Excellency, the President of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Col. Bagonza stated. “That freedom must not be taken for granted. Those who attempt to spoil it must be subdued by us.” Col. Bagonza praised the transformation and professionalism of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), noting the evolution from a force once stigmatized to one now renowned for integrity, discipline, and capacity. He lauded the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for his passion in professionalizing the UPDF through enhanced training, equipment, and welfare improvements. “In the past, joining the army was for criminals, people who had stolen or even killed. But now, recruitment is based on merit, including online applications, and the force is being shaped into one that commands regional respect,” he noted. He further highlighted the importance of continuous training, particularly in the Special Forces Command, citing it as essential to maintaining combat readiness and operational superiority. “If we don’t train consistently, as alluded earlier, the race will easily sweep us away. Training keeps us on par with global standards. Each militant must be capable of neutralizing any target within the range of their weapon system,” he warned. To the participants, Col. Bagonza expressed heartfelt congratulations, praising their discipline and impressive marksmanship displayed during the competition, and stressed the need to retain and sharpen those skills, warning that military proficiency is a perishable skill if not regularly practiced. The Director of Training and Doctrine- SFC, Col. Paul Lokut, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the competition was not merely for accolades but a force multiplier showcasing the practical output of relentless training. “You may have numbers, but if the force is untrained, the numbers mean little. Special Forces skills are crafted from complex scenarios and require repetitive practice to become muscle memory. Once acquired, they must be used, or they fade,” Col. Lokut remarked. He challenged the units to prepare for an even more competitive 4th edition of the competition and encouraged all personnel to embrace rigorous and sustained training as a critical pillar of SFC operations. The Commandant of Fort Samora Machel UPDF Special Forces Training School, Lt. Col. Edison Bayendera, commended all participants for their resilience, discipline, and precision. He emphasized that the event was not just about hitting targets, but about demonstrating the relentless will to improve and uphold elite standards. “This competition was a test of accuracy and resolve. It has become a platform for strengthening unit cohesion and sharing best practices. Let it remind us all that training never ends, and our resolve never weakens,” Lt. Col. Bayendera said. He urged the winners to carry their experience forward and inspire others, reiterating that true victory lies in constant improvement and professional excellence. This year’s SFC Inter-Unit Rifle Competition featured 11 teams from across four formations: the Headquarters Group, One Special Forces Group, Two Special Forces Group, and Three Special Forces Group. Competitive disciplines included: the Strongest Special Challenge, Long-Range Rifle Challenge, Pistol Challenge, Hostage Rescue Challenge, and direct-action Simulation. The event was graced by top military brass, including the Deputy Commander of One Special Forces Group, Brigade Commanders, SFC training school commanders, senior officers, and other dignitaries. The competition celebrated not just skill, but also the spirit of unity, operational readiness, and the high professional standards that continue to define Uganda’s Special Forces.

2025-07-10

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI DONATES GYM EQUIPMENT TO KALERWE BOXING CLUB

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni through State House has donated state-of-the-art gym equipment to Kalerwe Boxing Club in Kawempe division, Kampala. The donation is part of the initiatives by President Museveni to Ugandans especially the youth, aimed at empowering them socially and economically. Handing over the equipment worth millions of shillings today in Kalerwe, the Senior Presidential Advisor In-charge of Political Mobilization, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga explained that after meeting and receiving a request from the boxing club, he informed President Museveni about it and he responded in the affirmative. “When we went to purchase the equipment, we ended up spending Shs 38 million. You should thank President Museveni for his support. Our work is just to connect you people to the President,” he noted. Mr. Byaruhanga urged the beneficiaries to utilise the gym equipment well so that they achieve the best out of it. “Don't use it to train criminals,” he warned. At the same event, President Museveni injected Shs10m into the boxing club SACCO where members will borrow money to boost their businesses. “We shall monitor how you use that money. If you utilise it well, we shall add in more funds,” Mr. Byaruhanga assured. “President Museveni has already injected Shs100 million in each ghetto SACCO in Kampala to support the ghetto youth economically.” He also promised that the State House will support other gyms around Kampala. On the other hand, Mr. Byaruhanga cautioned the youth against electing selfish leaders especially from the opposition side who don't care about their interests. “The opposition don't talk about your burning issues, all they say is President Museveni must go, but he is going nowhere,” he said. “You should elect leaders who have your interests at heart.” Additionally, Mr. Byaruhanga urged the youth to embrace government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga if they want to fight poverty and improve their livelihoods. “We are going to also roll out the Katale loan and boda boda loan programs. The low-interest Katale loan aims at empowering market vendors. When you borrow Shs100,000, you pay an interest of Shs1,000 in a month,” he said. “When you get a boda boda on loan from the private entities, you end up paying Shs12m for a boda boda of Shs6m but with our boda boda loan, you pay Shs7.2m for a motorcycle of Shs6m million after two years.” Hajjat Madina Nsereko, the Kawempe South MP aspirant thanked President Museveni for empowering the youth in Kawempe and Uganda at large. “When I met these young people, they made their request but it was too expensive for me to handle so I had to lobby through Mr. Byaruhanga's office,” she said. Hajjat Nsereko also commended Mr. Byaruhanga for socially and economically transforming the lives of the people of Kawempe through his support. “Recently, we were in Kalerwe Abattoir, and he delivered President Museveni’s support to the traders. On behalf of the women in Kawempe, we thank you for the financial booster. Mr. Byaruhanga has also supported us with different initiatives like extending clean and safe water to the people of Kawempe.” Mr. Ismail Sseguya, the CEO of Kalerwe Boxing Club thanked President Museveni for supporting them and promised that they will also support him in the forthcoming elections. “All that we requested has been delivered,” he said. He also hailed the President for the support towards their SACCO which has 120 members. Mr. Banasula Ronald, a coach at Kalerwe Boxing Club also expressed gratitude to President Museveni for extending support to their boxing club. He said as boxers and body builders, they made an appeal to the State House for the support and their request was granted. The event was also attended by members of other boxing clubs around Kampala.

2025-07-09

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PLEDGES SUPPORT TO WAKISO MODEL FARMER, HAILS COMMERCIAL FARMING VISION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended Ms. Atuhaire Jacklet Rwabukurukuru, proprietor of Mabamba Farmhouse and Training Demo Centre, for embracing commercial farming as a pathway to wealth creation and rural transformation. During a visit to her 45-acre farm in Nakasozi Village, Kasanje Town Council, Wakiso District, today, the President described Ms. Atuhaire’s work as a shining example of what Ugandans can achieve by combining modern agricultural practices with enterprise. He praised her plans to start manufacturing poultry feeds as a step that would add even more value to her existing business. To support these efforts, President Museveni pledged to liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure she receives the technical help she needs. He also promised to address challenges related to electricity generation on the farm, which would help her boost production and improve processing capacity. The President further revealed that the Nalukolongo–Nateete–Kasanje road will soon be tarmacked, adding that the contractor is already on the ground. This development is expected to ease the transportation of farm produce to wider markets and attract more investment to the area. President Museveni further encouraged local residents to continue supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to sustain and expand these development initiatives. Ms. Atuhaire’s journey began in 2016 when she started Mabamba Farmhouse with the four-acre model that included a banana plantation and piggery project. Over time, she diversified her enterprise, turning it into a thriving commercial farm that now includes poultry, dairy farming, banana growing, and aquaculture. Her poultry unit currently maintains around 2,000 broiler birds for sale each month, earning her approximately Ugx 13 million monthly. At the moment, the farm has 1,000 birds ready for market, another 1,000 in the brooder, and about 300 kuroilers. The banana plantation has expanded from an initial two acres to seven acres, providing a reliable source of weekly income, while dairy farming has grown from just a handful of cows to 17, with milk production from eight cows bringing in around Ugx 14 million annually. Perhaps most notably, Ms. Atuhaire’s aquaculture venture produces around 20 tonnes of tilapia per year, generating an estimated gross income of Ugx 44 million per harvest season and a take-home profit of about Ugx 66 million annually. Expressing her appreciation, Ms. Atuhaire thanked President Museveni for government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), which she described as real and effective in transforming rural livelihoods. Today, Mabamba Farmhouse is not just a business; it has grown into a training and demonstration centre, employing 25 people — 11 permanent staff and 14 casual workers — and attracting farmers from the surrounding areas eager to learn modern, sustainable farming practices. From modest beginnings, Ms. Atuhaire’s farm now stands as a testament to how determination, diversification, and targeted support can turn small family projects into engines of community transformation and prosperity.

2025-07-09

PRESIDENT CALLS FOR RENEWED COMMITMENT TO NRM’S SIX-POINT AGENDA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today called for renewed commitment to the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s six-point agenda, describing it as the cornerstone of Uganda’s transformation journey. The agenda focuses on peace, wealth creation, development, job creation, access to markets, and delivery of essential services. The President made the remarks while addressing a gathering which included beneficiaries of the Emyooga program in Entebbe Municipality. This was shortly after visiting Ms. Priscilla Mwirumubi, a women's hair salon owner and proud beneficiary of the Emyooga program. Earlier in the day, he had made a stopover in Nakasozi Village, Ziba Ward, Kasanje Town Council, on his way to visit Ms. Jacklet Atuhaire, a model farmer in Busiro South, as part of his ongoing wealth creation assessment tour. This marked the third day of the President’s field tour, which began on Monday, aimed at tracking progress of government-backed initiatives like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), and their impact on transforming ordinary Ugandans into income earners. “Today, we are focusing on Emyooga but I want to re-emphasize the NRM guidance. Our foundation has always been built on six important things: peace, wealth, development, jobs, markets, and services,” President Museveni said. President Museveni also stressed that peace remains the most fundamental pillar. “Peace first, we cannot tolerate anyone that wants to disrupt our peace. There’s no war in Uganda and I assure you, no one can bring war here. The UPDF is strong. Anyone who dares will be defeated quickly.” The President further noted that physical infrastructure alone is not enough if individual households remain poor. “You can have tarmac roads and electricity, but if there’s no money in the home, what good is that? That’s why we say development without wealth is defective.” He recalled his early years in Rwakitura, his country home searching for pasture, not electricity or roads. “At the time When I went to Rwakitura, there was no tarmac road or electricity, what I was looking for was pasture for my cows because cows don’t eat tarmacked roads or electricity. You can see that there was no development but there was wealth and of course later on, electricity came and other things but they found when I was already wealthy so that is why you people who miss my wealth message are missing something,” he said. Citing traditional wisdom from his Banyankole heritage, President Museveni elaborated on the concept of Okwombeka which means to build. “Okwombeka is not just about building a house. It’s about building a life, creating wealth, marrying, raising children, and then putting up a house. But when I came here, I found that many people, especially leaders only talk about roads and electricity,” President Museveni said. “Each home must work for wealth,” he emphasized. President Museveni also applauded Emyooga and the Parish Development Model as critical tools to lift families out of poverty. “That’s why we introduced Entandikwa, Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation, PDM, microfinance and others. All of them are designed to create wealth at the household level,” he said. The President encouraged citizens to participate in these programs and be guided by informed and accountable leaders. “I am in government, but I’m far from you. You need leaders who can speak for you in Parliament. Elect people who will demand what you need,” President Museveni urged. Real stories of transformation in Entebbe: At an earlier engagement in Kitoro, Entebbe Municipality, President Museveni visited a hair salon owned by Ms. Priscilla Mwirumubi, a beneficiary of Emyooga, through the Entebbe Diva Salon Operators Emyooga SACCO. “We never thought we would benefit this much from Emyooga. Our group received Shs30 million, and I personally got Shs1 million after saving just Shs350,000. That changed everything for me,” she said. President Museveni praised her initiative and impact. “This girl, Mwirumubi, created wealth out of nothing. Now she’s employing five people. When we talk about jobs, we cannot separate them from wealth creation,” he said. Another proud beneficiary, Ms. Harriet Nantarima, chairperson of the hardware operators SACCO in Entebbe, also testified. “I borrowed Shs3 million and invested it in my hardware business worth Shs20 million. We also produce books as a group, but we need support with machines,” she said. President Museveni noted that testimonies like Nantarima’s demonstrate the true impact of government support. “That’s why I have come here not just to speak, but to wake people up,” he added. President Museveni said the NRM had expanded job opportunities through factories, skilling hubs and commercial agriculture. “Factory jobs today employ 1 million people, the government employs 480,000, and the service sector employs 5 million. This is why I urge you to get involved,” President Museveni said. He emphasized that Uganda now produces many goods it once imported, a shift that has created jobs and market for local products. A call to elect leaders who care: President Museveni also urged citizens to be deliberate in choosing their representatives. “The good thing is that you are here and the NRM is here. Don’t be like orphans without guidance. Choose leaders who care,” he added. Additionally, President Museveni pledged to improve road infrastructure in the area, recalling his historical connection to the route. “I passed through this Mpigi–Kasanje–Nakawuka–Kisubi road in 1979 and again in 1986 during the liberation struggle. I know this road very well,” he said. He revealed that the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, had informed him that a Chinese contractor, CCCC, had been secured and that preparatory work had begun. “Katumba has informed me that the contractor has already started preliminary works, and in four months, they will begin tarmacking the road. It will be completed in 18 months,” he announced.

2025-07-09