“BUHWEJU’S LONG- AWAITED ROAD SET FOR CONSTRUCTION,” PRESIDENT MUSEVENI REVEALS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer for 2026 general elections, today held his first campaign rally of the day in Buhweju District. Addressing thousands of his supporters at Engaju Secondary School in Buhweju, the President announced that the long-awaited Bwizibwera– Nyakambu– Nsiika–Nyakashaka–Nyakabirizi road is going to be constructed. “We have not worked on this road, but now the China Railway 18th Bureau Group is ready. They are securing Shs 30bn to compensate those affected along the road, after which construction will start immediately,” he said. President Museveni emphasized the value of peace in Buhweju, noting that the district borders Kasese, which has experienced insecurity linked to conflicts in neighboring Congo. “I once passed through Buhweju by car and found the people well-rested and enjoying their evening. That’s peace,” he said. “Uganda was never easy to manage in terms of peace. So, when opposition leaders come asking, can you manage peace, I say, Buhweju knows what NRM has done,” he added. Recalling a recent meeting with local leaders, he narrated a story about a man named Ngoma Elanze, born in Congo in 1964 when Patrice Lumumba was killed and the country was in turmoil. “At one time, Uganda was once also ‘Ngoma Elanze’, but NRM restored peace,” he said. The President noted that out of 348 villages in Buhweju, 261 now have safe water, meaning 75% of the district enjoys access to clean water. On health, he highlighted that in 1980, Buhweju’s population was 34,000, growing to 167,000 today. “This growth shows the success of our immunization program. All these children are NRM children,” he said. President Museveni also outlined plans to expand healthcare in the district; upgrade Nsiika HCIV to a General Hospital, upgrade Engaju HCIII to HCIV and construct new HCIIIs in Kashenyi-Kajani, Nyakaziba, Rubengye, and Rwengwe sub-counties. Ongoing works include upgrading Bitsya HCII to HCIII, staff house construction at Kiyanja HCIII, and renovations at Karungu and Burere HCIIIs. Education in Buhweju has also grown, with 56 government primary schools and 130 private primary schools, reflecting the community’s ability to invest in education. He mentioned that the district has seven government secondary schools, with more under construction. “All 140 sub-counties will eventually have government secondary schools,” President Museveni said. The President also highlighted the story of Ms. Mary Getrude Kyomugasho from Nyakashaka Town Council, a primary seven school dropout. With support from a government skilling program, she trained in tailoring and knitting, developed her skills, and started her own workshop. “Today I have three machines and two employees. I pay them Shs 5,000 per day, and I continue growing my business. Thank you, President Museveni, for changing my life,” she said. President Museveni praised Kyomugasho, saying, “She has got a skill and capital, and that is what creates jobs.” The President emphasized that while Uganda has made enormous strides in development, household wealth must now be the focus. He clarified the long-standing confusion between development and wealth creation, noting that urban centres enjoy vast infrastructure, yet some residents remain poor. He outlined the four pillars of wealth creation including; commercial agriculture, manufacturing and factories, services such as hotels and transport and ICT. President Museveni reminded the supporters that after securing peace, the NRM introduced the Four-Acre Model in the 1996 Manifesto as a practical pathway out of poverty. He explained the model; one acre for coffee, one acre for fruits, one acre for pasture for dairy cattle, one acre for food for the family and then backyard poultry or piggery, and fish farming for communities near wetlands. The President also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Buhweju District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections. Rt. Hon. Anitah Among, Speaker of Parliament and NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), praised the President, saying: “We welcome you, Your Excellency, to Buhweju. Thank you for coming to campaign in our district. We appreciate your leadership and the work you continue to do for our communities.” Rt. Hon. Among specifically commended the President for including the Bwizibwera–Nsiika–Nyakashaka–Nyakabirizi road in the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV). “The road is in dire need of repair, and the people of Buhweju are grateful knowing that work will commence soon,” she said. She further thanked the government for the Buhweju Tea Factory, noting that Shs 310 billion has been provided to support tea farmers and processors. She urged the farmers to continue improving production. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe, the Vice Chairman-NRM Western Uganda, welcomed the President and assured him of strong mobilization efforts in the district. He highlighted achievements in coffee production, tourism, and mining, noting the need for improvements in the mining sector. The Buhweju NRM Chairperson, Mr. Godfrey Kabandize, presented a Memorandum of Understanding that shared detailed insights on the district’s demographics and development progress. He noted that Buhweju has 14 Sub-Counties/Town Councils, 68 Parishes, and 348 villages, with a population of 167,921. In 2025, the district had 77,082 registered voters, an increase of 10,433 since 2021, and now operates 223 polling stations, up from 182. Mr. Kabandize also highlighted the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that out of 35,305 households, 21,762 households (61.6%) have already benefited from PDM funds totaling Shs 20.8bn. “The remaining 13,543 households (38.4%) are still to benefit, including those already engaged in the money economy,” he said. The district has also made strides through Emyooga SACCOs, which now include 36 SACCOs with 10,020 members, receiving a total of Shs 1.46bn from the government to support small-scale business and entrepreneurship. Buhweju has 56 government primary schools and 103 private schools, yet 29 of 68 parishes still lack access to a government primary school. On the secondary education front, the district has 7 government and 17 private secondary schools, enrolling 2,506 students. All government schools provide Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-Ordinary Level Education and Training (UPOLET). Three Seed Secondary Schools are currently under construction, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school from 7 to 4, a move hailed as critical for improving access to quality education across the district. In healthcare, only one HCIV and nine HCIII facilities currently serve the district, leaving four sub-counties without a health facility. Planned upgrades include Nsiika HCIV to a General Hospital, Engaju HCIII to HCIV, and the construction of new HCIIIs in Kashenyi-Kajani, Nyakaziba, Rubengye, and Rwengwe sub-counties. Ongoing projects such as the upgrade of Bitsya HCII to HCIII and renovations in Karungu and Burere health centers are expected to improve service delivery. Access to safe water has improved significantly, with 261 out of 348 villages (75%) now served. The government has completed multiple interventions, including protected springs, gravity flow schemes, and rainwater harvesting tanks. Piped water systems in Nsiika, Rwamwanja, Kajani-Kasheni, Rutehe, Kayonza, and Kyamuhunga now serve thousands of residents. Efforts in water for production have also begun to pay dividends. Small-scale irrigation schemes in Kyisa (5 acres producing 5.5 tons of tea) and Kyesika (12 acres producing 2.5 tons of tea) now generate Shs 9.9 million and Shs 7 million annually, respectively, benefiting local farmers and demonstrating the potential of irrigation to boost livelihoods. Meanwhile, Buhweju District is now fully connected to the National Electricity Grid, opening new opportunities for businesses, households, and public services. Mr. Kabandize concluded by reaffirming Buhweju’s support for the President. “Through NRM structures, the people of Buhweju are ready to support you 100%. We are committed to ensuring that every development initiative succeeds in our district,” he said. The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

2025-11-29

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PLEDGES COFFEE PROCESSING FACILITY FOR IBANDA, HIGHLIGHTS NRM ACHIEVEMENTS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the party’s flag-bearer for the 2026 elections, has pledged to support coffee farmers in Ibanda District by establishing a coffee processing facility aimed at boosting productivity, improving quality, and raising household incomes through value addition. President Museveni made the commitment on Saturday, 29th November 2025, while addressing thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Kagongo Demonstration School playground in Ibanda District, as he intensified his campaign trail across the Ankole sub-region. Ibanda, one of Uganda’s significant coffee-producing districts, grows both Arabica and Robusta varieties, with Arabica thriving particularly well in areas that lie within the high-altitude ranges of the Rwenzori Mountain ecosystem. Coffee farming remains one of the backbone economic activities for the district’s households, making the President’s pledge a major development prospect for the region. “You, the people of Ibanda, already know what to do. Therefore, I will help you establish a coffee processing facility that you have proposed here to add value to your coffee,” President Museveni told the cheering crowd. He added that the government would continue supporting farmers under the Parish Development Model (PDM), including providing free coffee seedlings from both government nursery beds and his personal nurseries at Kisozi. “We shall continue with the PDM money and also give you free coffee seedlings from the government nursery beds that we shall establish,” President Museveni said. “PDM will continue where people invest in whatever they want—poultry, pigs, goats, and others.” The NRM Chairperson for Ibanda District, Hon. Jovrine Kaliisa Kyomukama, highlighted the district’s impressive coffee footprint. She noted that the district has 28,062 acres under coffee cultivation, producing an estimated 14,381 tons annually and earning up to Shs 178 billion in revenue. Despite these gains, Hon. Kyomukama said farmers still face challenges, particularly the shortage of modern coffee dryers, hullers, and processing equipment at the parish level, making value addition difficult. “The coffee you gave us through PDM has done wonders, leading to improved coffee production at the household level,” she told the President. “But we need dryers per parish and coffee hullers.” Residents at the rally shared testimonies reflecting the district’s growing prosperity from commercial agriculture. Mr. Mutabaazi Wilbroad, a coffee farmer from Nyabuhikye Sub-county, revealed that he earns more than Shs 40 million per season from his 8-acre coffee farm. “From one acre, I get about Shs 8 million per season, meaning Shs 16 million per year,” he said. President Museveni praised such success stories, saying coffee has transformed the livelihoods of many households across Uganda. He noted that Uganda now earns US$2 billion annually from coffee exports, making it one of the country’s biggest sources of foreign exchange. “Coffee has created wealth for households and for the country as well,” he emphasized. According to official statistics presented at the rally, Ibanda District has shown strong progress in PDM implementation. Ibanda District (40 PDM SACCOs) received Shs 14.39 billion, of which Shs 12.39 billion (86.07%) was disbursed to 12,391 households, while Ibanda Municipality (21 PDM SACCOs) received Shs 7.50 billion, of which Shs 6.45 billion (85.96%) was disbursed to 6,454 households. In total, Ibanda District and Municipality have received Shs 21.9 billion. President Museveni encouraged parish and sub-county leaders to ensure the remaining households also benefited. He, however, cautioned the public against confusing development with wealth creation. “Development is for all of us - schools, roads, hospitals. But wealth and poverty are personal. We need households to embrace wealth creation,” he said, revisiting the 4-acre model that the government introduced in the 1996 manifesto. Under the model, farmers are encouraged to allocate one acre to coffee, one to fruits, one to food crops, and one to zero-grazing livestock, while using backyards for poultry, piggery, or fish farming. President Museveni used the Ibanda rally to highlight the seven key contributions of the NRM as featured in the 2026–2031 manifesto. He reminded voters of the importance of peace in the region, noting that threats from armed groups that previously operated in the Kamwenge forests had been neutralized. “You, the people of Ibanda, know what peace means,” he said. “Those who wanted to disrupt this peace were dealt with.” On development, President Museveni emphasized ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects, including major road works across the region. He assured residents that the Mbarara–Ibanda road would be repaired afresh, while other routes—including Ishaka–Bushenyi, Ibanda–Kagongo–Kabujogera–Kamwenge, and Nyamarebe–Kyegegwa—would also be fully rehabilitated. He further promised to consider establishing a ferry on Lake George to boost trade between Rubanda, Rubirizi, and Kasese districts. According to Hon. Kyomukama, the absence of a reliable transport system across the lake currently forces residents to use risky alternatives, especially when transporting livestock to markets. On the side of social infrastructure, the President acknowledged that Ibanda performs well in accessibility to government schools and health facilities, but advised residents to prioritize wealth creation alongside development, saying it's through wealth that jobs are created. President Museveni pointed to the growing number of industrial parks—such as Sino-Mbale Industrial Park with 75 factories and Namanve Industrial Park with over 270 factories—as evidence of the NRM’s commitment to job creation. “These employ far more Ugandans than government institutions, which have only 480,000 jobs for a population nearing 50 million,” he said. To illustrate opportunities in commercial agriculture, President Museveni cited success stories such as Johnson Basangwa, a poultry farmer in Kamuli who produces 200 trays of eggs daily and earns Shs 20 million per day, employing 300 workers. Another example was of Mr. George Matongo, a dairy farmer from Ngoma, Nakaseke, who produces over 900 litres of milk daily, earning about Shs 21 million per month, despite living far from tarmac roads or electricity. Ibanda has historically been an NRM stronghold, and in the 2021 Presidential Elections, out of 140,486 registered voters, 90,801 (64.6%) turned up, with President Museveni winning 77,521 votes (87.3%). For the 2026 elections, Ibanda has 153,810 registered voters, an increase of 13,324. Polling stations have grown from 280 in 2021 to 410. Saturday’s rally attracted prominent NRM leaders, including Speaker of Parliament and party's Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda, Eng. Asiimwe Jonard, district leaders, and other senior party officials.

2025-11-29

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RECEIVES HEROIC WELCOME IN KAZO, UNVEILS NRM’S 40-YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS AND NEW COMMITMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today received a heroic welcome in Kazo district where thousands of jubilant supporters gathered as he continued his campaign trail across the Ankole Sub-region. Accompanied by the First Daughter, Mrs. Patience Rwabwogo Museveni, the President addressed the rally with a detailed breakdown of the NRM’s achievements over the past 40 years and the commitments contained in the 2026–2031 NRM Manifesto. President Museveni told the supporters that the NRM’s first and most important contribution to Uganda is peace, which he said was achieved by rejecting sectarian politics based on religion and tribe. “Because we rejected sectarianism, we were able to build a national political party, a national army, a national police force and ensure stability across the country,” he said. On development, the President outlined progress in both economic and social infrastructure. He cited Kazo’s major tarmac road, part of the Lyantonde–Fort Portal corridor, as a key achievement under the NRM government. President Museveni pledged to extend water to Kazo the same way the government connected Kiruhura through Kakyeera and obtained water from the Kagera River for Mbarara. “We shall get water for Kazo from the Katonga River,” he assured residents. President Museveni also praised progress in the education sector, noting that Kazo now has 63 government primary schools and 254 private primary schools, compared to the years before NRM when many of these schools did not exist. The district also has six government secondary schools and 32 private secondary schools, serving a combined total of more than 36,000 learners. He said this transformation is a result of deliberate NRM investment in social infrastructure, which must be protected and expanded. Turning to the health sector, President Museveni noted that Kazo has one Health Centre IV, seven Health Centre IIIs and 11 Health Centre IIs, but urged residents to appreciate the progress made from the era when health facilities were scarce. He reaffirmed government plans to upgrade Kazo Health Centre IV into a District Hospital, along with upgrading Rwamuranga and Migina Health Centre IIs. Ongoing projects such as the construction of medical stores and a mortuary at Kazo HCIV, funded by the World Bank, were highlighted as timely additions for improving service delivery. The President then spoke on the NRM’s third pillar—wealth creation—and why households must differentiate it from development. He reminded residents that development benefits everyone, but wealth belongs to each family. President Museveni reiterated the Four-Acre Model and criticised the continued practice of free-range grazing in Ankole. “When you do free grazing, one square mile can graze only 200 cows. But when you plant pasture, one acre can feed eight cows, meaning a square mile can handle 500 cows,” he explained, thus encouraging zero-grazing and warned against the habit of selling large ancestral lands and later buying more unproductive land elsewhere. President Museveni further hailed the transformation of Uganda’s dairy and coffee sectors, attributing success to Operation Wealth Creation under Gen. Salim Saleh and to farmers who embraced commercial agriculture. He said the NRM’s fourth contribution—job creation—has flourished through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT, noting that factories already employ 1.3 million people, far more than the 480,000 employed in government institutions. He also cited the impact of skilling hubs that support youths who dropped out of school but have since gained practical skills and created employment for themselves and others. The Speaker of Parliament and Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), Rt. Hon. Anita Among praised the President for the development he has brought to Kazo, including improved roads, expansion of the technical institute in the area, and strengthened public services. Western Region NRM Vice Chairperson, Hon. Jonard Asiimwe, told the rally that all the concerns raised by Kazo residents had been captured by the party and would be addressed. He encouraged the district to continue supporting the NRM as the only party with a clear and consistent development agenda. Kazo District NRM Chairperson, Mr. Nkeija Wilson, thanked the President for elevating Kazo to district status and said government services had become more accessible as a result. He saluted the President for developments in education, health, electricity and other sectors, pledging that Kazo would vote President Museveni “100 percent” in the upcoming elections. Former Kazo County MP, Hon. John Nasasira, also paid tribute to the President for his contribution to national liberation and development, noting that administrative elevation and improved service delivery have greatly benefitted the people of Kazo. He also credited the NRM’s household-income approach for empowering families and reducing poverty levels.

2025-11-28

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES KIRUHURA AND KAZO TO EMBRACE PROFITABLE DAIRY FARMING

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged residents of Kiruhura and Kazo districts to fully exploit their vast land for commercial dairy farming, saying the cattle corridor has the potential to become Uganda’s largest hub of milk-based wealth creation if farmers abandon free-range grazing and adopt intensive production systems. Addressing thousands of supporters at Nyakasharara playground in Kiruhura District on Friday, 28th November 2025, President Museveni, accompanied by the First Daughter, Pastor Patience Rwabwogo, praised the community for gradually shifting from nomadic livestock rearing to commercial dairy farming but insisted that greater transformation is still possible. “The people of Kiruhura and Kazo, and the entire cattle corridor, thank you for heeding our advice on working and grazing cows for wealth creation. But do not stop,” he said. “Free-range grazing makes the land underutilized. On one square mile, you are managing only about 130 cows. But if you adopt zero grazing, you can keep thousands of cows on the same land,” the President emphasized, adding that wealth creation, not mere ownership of land or livestock, is central to Uganda’s household prosperity agenda. President Museveni illustrated his message with success stories of farmers who have built thriving enterprises on small pieces of land by adopting modern practices. One such farmer is Joseph Ijala, a former taxi driver who now runs an integrated farm on 2.5 acres. Ijala started with poultry and expanded into dairy farming. He keeps 10,000-layer chickens, producing 310 trays of eggs per day and earning more than Shs 3 million daily. On just 1.5 acres of land, Ijala also practices zero-grazing dairy farming with eight cows, producing a substantial amount of milk daily. Combined, he earns about Shs 6.8 million per month from eggs and milk. President Museveni said Ijala’s example demonstrates how zero grazing drastically increases productivity. “Ijala keeps eight cows on one acre. If that were a square mile, he would keep over 4,000 cows,” he said. Another example is Richard Nyakaana, a farmer in Kabarole whose Kana Farm sits on only 1.2 acres. Nyakaana runs a range of enterprises, including layer poultry, zero grazing, feed processing, and manure production. With only six milking cows, he produces 120 litres of milk per day, earning Shs 110,000 daily, amounting to Shs 20 million annually in profit. “You people in the cattle corridor have a lot of land. Use that land profitably,” President Museveni urged. “The third contribution of the NRM is wealth creation. Development benefits everyone, but wealth and poverty are yours as a household.” President Museveni also cited George Matongo, a dairy farmer from Ngoma in Nakaseke, as a symbol of the transformative power of commercial agriculture. Matongo, who reportedly never attained formal education and lives far from infrastructure such as tarmac roads or electricity, produces over 900 litres of milk per day and earns an estimated Shs 21 million monthly. “Matongo is extremely prosperous, yet he lives far from a tarmac road or electricity,” H.E. Museveni said. “Meanwhile, people are living next to smooth tarmac roads, but poverty is the order of the day.” The President said Matongo’s success underscores his long-held message that wealth is created by individuals, not by the government, and that the presence of roads or electricity alone cannot guarantee household income. “When I came to Rwakitura many years ago, I followed the grass and invested in farming. People laughed at me. But by the time the tarmac road and electricity arrived, I was already rich,” he said. President Museveni reminded the gathering that upon taking power in the mid-1980s, the new government prioritized mobilizing citizens to embrace the money economy. “In the 1996 manifesto, we introduced the four-acre model,” he said. “We told people: one acre for coffee, one for fruits, one for family food crops, and one for zero grazing. Then use the backyard for poultry, piggery, or fish farming.” Kiruhura District is one of Uganda’s leading milk producers, supported by cattle-keeping communities and emerging processing facilities. The President urged farmers to push for even higher productivity. “Learn to plant grass for zero grazing and avoid free-range grazing. You have the land; use it,” he said. He hailed farmers who embraced this model early on, including those in Nyabushozi, Kiruhura, and Ssembabule. But he also cited examples from other regions, such as Joseph Basangwa of Kamuli, a commercial poultry farmer producing about 200 trays of eggs daily and earning an estimated Shs 20 million per day—translating into billions annually. Basangwa employs more than 300 workers. “People say jobs-jobs-jobs - but where do jobs come from? Agriculture, factories, services, and ICT—not the government,” President Museveni noted. He stressed that while the government continues to deliver security and development, families must take responsibility for creating wealth within their households. “Development is for all of us, but wealth is yours as a family,” he repeated. He highlighted the massive growth of industrial parks, including the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park with over 75 factories, and the Namanve Industrial Park with over 270 factories. These, he said, employ far more Ugandans than government institutions, which have only 480,000 jobs for a population nearing 50 million. While reviewing social services, President Museveni noted that the district has 74 government primary schools and 165 private primary schools. For secondary education, Kiruhura has 7 government secondary schools and 11 private secondary schools. He said the proliferation of private schools in Kiruhura reflects improved household incomes in the region. “It shows wealth among the people, because they can afford school fees in private schools,” he noted. On health services, President Museveni observed that Kiruhura’s 14 sub-counties have one Health Centre IV and 13 Health Centre IIIs. However, Akayanja Sub-County currently has no health facility. The President assured the residents that the government plans to construct a new HCIII there. He also pledged to improve the road network connecting districts in the greater Ankole region. Earlier, Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt Hon. Anita Annet Among welcomed President Museveni to Kiruhura and thanked residents for supporting the ruling party. “We want to thank you, the people of Kiruhura, for bringing up a son—President Museveni—who has taken Uganda from despair to hope,” she said. “Your son has brought peace to Uganda. The Bible says: ‘We shall know them by their deeds,’ and we have seen President Museveni’s deeds.” Speaker Among credited the President for introducing free education, saying it enabled many Ugandans, including herself, to rise to positions of responsibility. “All we can do is continue praying for you and thanking you for respecting the people of Kiruhura by coming to ask them for their vote,” she said. The event was attended by several NRM leaders, ministers, Members of Parliament, and party flag bearers.

2025-11-28

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.

2025-11-28

“PRESIDENT MUSEVENI KICKS OFF ANKOLE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, REAFFIRMS NRM’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING ROAD CONNECTIVITY AND OPENING UP MARKETS FOR FARMERS, TRADERS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the Presidential Flag-bearer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), today kicked off his campaign trail in the Ankole Sub-region, starting with Isingiro District. He was accompanied by the First daughter, Mrs. Patience Rwabwogo Museveni, who joined him in engaging supporters across the district. Addressing thousands of supporters at Isingiro District Headquarters, the President thanked God for the peace and stability the NRM has maintained over the years. “As I introduce to you the 2026/31 Manifesto, I want to thank God. I came here today wearing yellow and without guns. In the past—1972, 1979, and 1985—I passed through here with guns, fighting. But today, we have gathered peacefully, well-dressed, dancing, and united. I thank God, and I thank the NRM for restoring peace in Uganda,” he said. President Museveni highlighted the government’s achievements in road infrastructure within the region. He noted that the NRM Government had already completed key roads such as the Mbarara–Kikagate–Isingiro road and the Kachumbala–Kabale–Ntungamo Road. The President added that the remaining priority roads include; Kikagate–Kitwe–Namahimba road and Kabingo–Rwekubo–Rugaaga–Endizi–Magabi–Rakai–Mutukula road, reaffirming the NRM’s commitment to improving connectivity and opening up markets for farmers and traders. Development Alone Is Not Enough: The President emphasized that while Uganda has made enormous strides in development, household wealth must now be the focus. He clarified the long-standing confusion between development and wealth creation, noting that urban centres like Kampala enjoy vast infrastructure yet some residents remain poor. He outlined the four pillars of wealth creation including; commercial agriculture, manufacturing and factories, services such as hotels and transport and ICT. President Museveni reminded the supporters that after securing peace, the NRM introduced the Four-Acre Model in the 1996 Manifesto as a practical pathway out of poverty. He explained the model; one acre for coffee, one acre for fruits, one acre for pasture for dairy cattle, one acre for food for the family and backyard poultry or piggery as well as fish farming for those near wetlands. To strengthen wealth creation, the President said the government will continue injecting funds into programmes such as Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, and will add new dedicated funds for leaders, ghettos, boda bodas, unemployed graduates, religious leaders, and cultural leaders. Jobs Come from Wealth, Not Government: The President also addressed misconceptions about employment, noting that government jobs alone cannot employ the country’s large population. He explained that Uganda currently has about 480,000 government jobs, compared to a population of 50 million, making it impossible for the state to absorb everyone. “You cannot talk of jobs without talking of wealth. Jobs come from commercial agriculture, factories, services, and ICT,” the President said. He gave the example of Mbale Industrial Park, which now houses over 75 factories and has created thousands of jobs. The President stressed that while the government employs 480,000 people, the new factories across the country have already created 1.3 million jobs—nearly three times more than the public sector. President Museveni further guided banana farmers in the area to embrace modern agricultural practices and use of irrigation to boost productivity. Isingiro District is predominantly a banana growing district with a wider market reach for bananas which the President intends to further improve through irrigation and better land management practices. President Museveni also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairpersons, councillors, and other party candidates in Isingiro District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections. The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among also the Second National Vice chairperson NRM urged the people of Isingiro to maintain their overwhelming support for the NRM, saying the district remains a shining example of good organization and accountability. She revealed that earlier in the day, leaders had launched a workers’ SACCO to boost incomes and promote wealth creation in the district. “We do not have audit queries in Isingiro, and that speaks to the discipline and transparency in this area,” she said. Hon. Among also appreciated ongoing government efforts to provide clean water to the sub-region, including the Kagera and Doctor Deep water projects, which serve both host communities and refugee settlements. “This is a refugee-hosting district, and we thank you, Your Excellency, for the peace and stability that allow these communities to thrive,” she said. This party is not just for President Museveni; it is for all of us.” The State Minister for Agriculture and Animal Industry, Hon. Lt. Col. Bright Rwamirama, reassured President Museveni of massive support in the district. “Thank you, Your Excellency, for standing with the people of Isingiro. We appreciate everything you do for us, and we commit to support you immensely,” he said. NRM District Chairperson Lt. Moses Mushabe welcomed the President, recalling that Isingiro delivered 94% of the vote in the 2021 general elections. He pledged to close the gap further. “This time, the remaining votes will also go to you, Your Excellency,” he said. He highlighted the district’s demographic profile—30 Sub-Counties/Town Councils, 131 Parishes, 901 villages, and a population of 635,077—noting the district’s rapid growth and increasing needs, particularly in health facilities since the area hosts refugees. Lt. Mushabe reported that Isingiro has received Shs. 47.1 billion under the Parish Development Model, including the latest funds released in November 2025. So far, 41,131 households, representing 27.7% of all households, have benefited. Under Emyooga, the district has 89 SACCOs with 31,901 members, supported by government financing totaling Shs. 3.35 billion, helping artisans, traders, and service providers expand their enterprises. Isingiro’s education footprint has grown significantly, with; 197 government primary schools and 543 private primary schools and 21 government secondary schools and 75 private secondary schools. However, some parishes and sub-counties still lack government institutions. To close these gaps, the district is constructing seven new Seed Secondary Schools. Once completed, the number of sub-counties without government secondary schools will drop from 16 to 9. The district also benefits from the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs, with the Ankole hub located in Mbarara City. So far, 1,226 youth have been trained, and 247 learners are currently enrolled in trades such as carpentry, tailoring, metal fabrication, hairdressing, baking, and construction. Out of the 30 Sub-Counties, Isingiro currently operates 4 HCIVs and 26 HCIIIs, leaving 8 sub-counties without a government health facility. To address this, the government plans to upgrade multiple HCII facilities to HCIII and construct new HCIIIs in Kabingo and Kagarama. Water access stands at 51%, with 461 out of 901 villages having safe water sources. In recent years, government has delivered; major piped water systems in Nyarubungo, Rugaga, Kihiihi, Isingiro Town Council, Kaberere, and other areas, serving over 100,000 residents, construction of 15 protected springs, 41 rehabilitated boreholes, and multiple gravity-flow schemes, boreholes drilled in water-stressed areas such as Kagaga, Karunga, Ntenga, Kyarwanshashura, and Kihanda. Ongoing works include the construction of the Isingiro piped water and sanitation system, expansions of the Nyamisindo and Rumuri systems, and new protections for natural springs in Mahaama, Nyakisheshero, and Nyakabingo. The government has invested heavily in water for production infrastructure, including; Kamwema (10,000m³) and Kyakashana (5,000m³) valley tanks, Small-scale irrigation schemes in Ruhimbo, Bugarika, and Kibwera, rehabilitation of Kagango dam and construction of large-capacity valley tanks like Nyamarungi. The flagship of Kabuyanda Multipurpose Dam and Irrigation Scheme, covering 3,300 hectares, is underway and will benefit 32,000 farmers across 38 villages. The district leadership confirmed that Isingiro is now fully connected to the national electricity grid, boosting businesses, schools, health centres, and households. The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

2025-11-27