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

KARAMOJA PEACE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY PROJECT

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2025-11-20

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI FAULTS UNEQUAL SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION IN BUSOGA, TASKS LEADERS TO ENFORCE EDUCATION POLICY

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed strong concern over what he described as a persistent and “illogical” imbalance in the distribution of government primary and secondary schools across several districts in Busoga Sub-Region, calling on local leaders to correct what he said was undermining equitable access to education. Speaking while campaigning in Kaliro District on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, President Museveni, who is also the NRM presidential flag bearer, said he was disturbed by reports showing that despite the existence of a clear national policy, some parishes have multiple government schools while others have none. He said the trend reflects either negligence or deliberate failure by district leaders to align school construction to population and administrative units. President Museveni, who was accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, told supporters that he had reviewed district-level data for both Kaliro and Bugweri and found the same discrepancies repeating themselves across Busoga. According to figures presented to the President, Kaliro District has 89 government primary schools and 132 private primary schools. However, the district’s 87 parishes do not benefit equally from the public schools. Only 38 parishes have at least one government primary school, while 49 parishes - more than half have none. He said this violates the government’s own long-standing education distribution policy, which requires at least one government primary school in every parish and one government secondary school in every sub-county. “The leaders need to be strict here. The 89 government primary schools are located in only 38 parishes, leaving 49 parishes without a single government school. The NRM chairperson and the District Education Officer should be very strict about this,” he said. “Don’t allow more government primary schools in a parish when other parishes don't have any.” President Museveni said such irrational distribution patterns deny children in underserved parishes an equal chance to access free primary education, a key pillar of the NRM’s social transformation agenda. Earlier in Bugweri District, the President raised similar concerns after learning that the district has 54 government primary schools serving 46,876 pupils, yet 11 out of its 37 parishes have no school at all. “This one, please sort it out as leaders,” the President warned, saying the National policy requires one government school per parish and one government secondary school per sub-county. He said it was unacceptable that some parishes hosted two or more schools while others had none, insisting that leaders must prioritise equitable distribution rather than political lobbying. He also hinted that moving forward, education infrastructure allocation would increasingly be tied to the strict observance of this policy. On the status of secondary school education in Kaliro, President Museveni said the district currently has nine government secondary schools offering both Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post O-level Education and Training (UPOLET), with a total enrolment of 9,047 students. This is complemented by 26 private secondary schools. But out of the 15 sub-counties in the district, only eight have government secondary schools, leaving seven without. Candidate Museveni said the situation would improve soon because the government is constructing four Seed Secondary Schools in Kaliro district, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without government schools from seven to three. He described this as a remarkable improvement compared to the past: “When I was at Ntare School, many boys from Busoga came because there were only three boys’ A-Level schools and three girls’ A-Level schools in all of Uganda. So, when I come here and find that Kaliro has nine secondary schools today, some with A-Level, I feel very happy,” he said. Sabotaging Free Education: The President used the rally to criticize head teachers and local school administrators who continue sending children away for fees, including USE and UPE beneficiaries. He reminded the crowd that he introduced Universal Primary Education in 1996, followed by USE, to ensure that every Ugandan child studies free of charge in government schools. Yet, he said, many schools continue to charge illegal fees, leading to massive dropout numbers, especially among rural children. “Up to now, many children are sent away for school fees, and many end up dropping out,” President Museveni said. “That is why I started 19 skilling hubs across the country, to demonstrate peacefully that free education is possible, and that even those who dropped out can acquire skills and start earning.” The Presidential Skilling Hub, located in Jinja, offers free six-month hands-on courses in carpentry, tailoring, welding, construction, automotive mechanics, weaving, baking, plumbing, and electrical installation. President Museveni said some of the products being made by trainees—such as shoes, clothes, chairs, and liquid soap—are of competitive quality and reduce the need for imports. “I’m tired of unnecessary conflicts because of the issue of free education,” he said, pledging to push for full enforcement of free education in the next term. “In the next kisanja, we must all agree that all children should study for free in government schools,” H.E. Museveni said. The President spent part of his speech outlining the NRM’s seven major contributions to Uganda, as highlighted in the 2026–2031 manifesto. He said Uganda’s transformation began with the restoration of peace, unity, and security after decades of conflict and sectarian divisions. “NRM has been able to bring peace where there was war and conflict and also bring about unity in Uganda instead of sectarianism,” Gen. Museveni stated. He listed improvements in roads, water systems, electricity, health centres, and schools as evidence of continued government investment. In Busoga, he said the government has repaired the Iganga–Kaliro road twice and now plans to construct additional routes. “But now we need to build a road from Kamuli-Kaliro up to Pallisa, described as Kamuli-Kagulu-Lyingo-ilundu-Kaliro (90km), and also tarmac the road from Kamuli-Kaliro- Namwiwa- Buyuge up to Pallisa. Those are the roads we need to do,” President Museveni assured. Regarding electricity, President Museveni learnt that out of Kaliro’s 15 sub-counties, 10 are currently connected to electricity. He promised that in the next term, the government will extend power to Namwiwa, Bulumba Town Council, Buyinda, Kisinda, and Nawaikoke. On health infrastructure, President Museveni observed that out of 15 Sub-Counties in Kaliro, 1 has an HCIV in Bulamogi Constituency with 3 Doctors. He said 9 sub-counties have HCIIIs, meaning 5 Sub-Counties do not have any Health Facility of either an HCIII, HCIV, or a hospital. He announced plans to upgrade Kaliro HCII in Kaliro Town Council to an HCIII, and construct New HCIIIs in Bulumba Town Council, Nansololo, Namwiwa, and Nawaikoke Sub-Counties. “We need to upgrade one of the health centers to a district hospital and also build health center IV in the other constituency, which doesn’t have one,” President Museveni said Shifting to household income and wealth creation, the President drew a sharp contrast between development and wealth, explaining that while development projects are government-led and benefit all Ugandans, wealth creation is personal, as is poverty. “There are tarmac roads from Kaliro to Iganga for a long time but do the people who are on that road sleep on it at night? You can’t say that because the road is good, let me sleep here. You sleep at your home like me at Kityerera in Mayuge. Development is ours, but wealth is yours,” he said. He urged families to pursue the four-acre model, which he introduced in 1996, as the most practical pathway to rural prosperity. “We told you to allocate one acre to coffee, another to pasture for zero-grazing cows, a third to fruits, and a fourth to food crops, with pigs and poultry in the backyard and fish farming for those near the swampy areas,” President Museveni said adding that a few Ugandans who picked this message are doing well such as a one Basangwa in Kamuli who started a poultry farm on his 100 by 50 piece of land. Basangwa collects 1000 trays of eggs per day, and sells them 20,000 shillings each, approximately 20 million shillings per day. He also illustrated this using success stories such as George Matongo of Ngoma, Nakaseke, who earns Shs 21 million monthly from milk sales. “This man is not educated, but when we sensitized them, they changed. He is now selling 900 liters of milk per day and gets 21 million shillings a month. He has built a good house and educated his children yet is very far- about 70 miles from a tarmac road,” President Museveni said. He also cited his own Barlege Model Farm in Lira, where a single fishpond measuring 20×50 metres brings in Shs 100 million annually, with Shs 70 million profit. President Museveni was happy to see that, apart from sugarcane growing for sugar processing, the Basoga have stepped up efforts to cultivate food crops such as cassava. “I want to congratulate the people of Busoga. When I’m traveling in these areas, I see a lot of cassava. Cassava is good for food but also a raw material for industrial growth and is used to make starch,” he said. President Museveni said the NRM government continues expanding manufacturing and agro-industrialization, citing Sino-Mbale Industrial Park with 75 factories, and Namanve Industrial Park in Wakiso with 273 factories employing more than 44,000 workers. He said that with a government workforce of only 480,000 against a population of 50 million, industrial growth remains the only sustainable path for mass job creation. “If people tell you that NRM has done nothing and yet those factories are there, then you are either sick or do not know what you are talking about.” He asked supporters to renew the NRM's mandate in 2026 so that the party can “finish the work already started.” “So, with these, I ask you to vote for NRM. Vote for the old man with a hat and all NRM flag bearers,” President Museveni appealed. Addressing reports of irregularities in NRM primaries in Kaliro, the President said he had assigned NRM 1st National Vice Chairperson Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo to handle the matter. He insisted that any malpractice in vote counting, voter bribery, or false declaration of results would attract criminal penalties. “The primaries were done by lining up in broad daylight. If someone counted voters and declared another person, we shall investigate. Even if the winner is already a Member of Parliament, we shall act. It is a crime,” the NRM candidate said. He urged local members to submit facts to facilitate a clear investigation. Speaking earlier, First Lady Janet Museveni said the crowds in Kaliro showed commitment to building a peaceful and united Uganda. “Standing here in this heat, but making sure that we are all here, is a price we must pay to build a strong homeland,” she said. “When voting day comes, vote for the President and vote for the NRM.” She praised residents for supporting peace and development efforts over the years. Several top NRM leaders addressed the rally, calling for unity and proposing new priorities for Busoga. Al-Hajj Kigongo warned leaders against internal bickering. “As leaders in Busoga, we should stop the infighting. We are all in the bus and must be united,” he said. First Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga thanked Kaliro residents for the warm reception, noting that the district had shown exceptional turnout for the President. Mr. Gagawala Wambuzi, Kaliro NRM Chairperson, thanked the President for government programs such as PDM and the Youth and Women Funds, which he said had benefited the district. He raised several local demands, including the establishment of a district hospital, the construction of health centres for all sub-counties without HCIIIs, a new district administration block, the creation of Kaliro Municipality, the revival of the Busoga Cooperative Union to boost cotton production, and compensation for Lakwena War victims in the district. He also called an end to the 5% deductions imposed on sugarcane farmers by millers, contrary to a presidential directive, while pledging that the Balamogi would deliver 90% of the votes for President Museveni in the 2026 elections. Thousands attended the rally, including ministers, senior NRM leaders, Members of Parliament, NRM Secretariat officials led by the Secretary-General, and former Vice President Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe.

2025-11-19

NAMAYINGO: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RETURNS TO FORMER BATTLEFIELD, CELEBRATES PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM Presidential flag bearer, has said the transformation of the Musita–Mayuge–Namayingo–Lumino–Busia road is a powerful reminder of how far the country has come; from the days of conflict to the stability being enjoyed today. Addressing supporters during a campaign rally at Namayingo Primary School Grounds in Namayingo District today, where he was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President reflected on the area’s turbulent past. He recalled the tense encounter with Idi Amin’s soldiers near Musita during the liberation struggle. “That road was once a battlefield, I remember being stopped by Amin’s soldiers. When they tried to cause trouble, my colleague acted quickly and the whole group fled,” he said. He added that returning to the same place and finding a smooth tarmac road gives him great satisfaction, calling it one of the NRM’s great successes. The President told the people of Namayingo that their region is an example of why safeguarding peace must remain a top priority. “This area has seen hard times,” he said, recalling battles with Lakwena in Muterere and FOBA rebels who crossed from Kenya. “Today all that is history. Whatever you are doing, keep the peace, because it is peace that allows us to build and progress.” On health, President Museveni commended the district for making steady progress in expanding health services. Out of 11 sub-counties, Namayingo has one HCIV and eight HCIIIs, leaving only two sub-counties without a government health facility. “It seems the leaders of Namayingo have been quite serious,” he said. To close the remaining gaps, the government has lined up more upgrades including; Mutumba HCIII to HCIV, Sigulu HCIII to HCIV, Lugala HCII to HCIII and Mulombi HCII to HCIII. The district’s current health infrastructure includes a digital X-ray machine with a radiologist at Buyinja HCIV and a fully functional HCIV in Bukooli South with four doctors and an ambulance. On schools, the President mentioned that Namayingo has 84 government primary schools and 129 private primary schools. Out of 50 parishes, 31 have at least one government primary school, while 19 parishes are still lacking. In secondary education, the district has; 7 government secondary schools offering USE and UPOLET, serving 4,958 students. On wealth creation, the President reiterated the “Four-Acre Model” to transform households from subsistence to prosperity. “One acre for coffee, one for fruits, one for food crops, and one for pasture and livestock. Even backyard spaces can support poultry, piggery, or fish farming. This model is not just theory , it is the key to transforming households from subsistence to prosperity,” he said. The President also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Namayingo District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections. On her part, Maama Janet urged Ugandans to treasure peace, stay united under God, and continue supporting the National Resistance Movement for a stronger and more developed Uganda. “We thank the Lord for a day like this, when we come to remember what the NRM means to Uganda. It is a national organisation that unites all Ugandans to do what is good and to resist what is wrong,” she said. The First Lady noted that for decades, the NRM has consistently taught generations about patriotism, discipline and collective responsibility. “As you heard from your district leaders, even the children are learning to protect their schools and to grow up as one nation under God. That unity is what protects our peace,” she said. Maama Janet also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming turnout at the rally. “When I see you in such big numbers, I thank God , He has given you the wisdom to hear what the President has for you. Continue supporting the NRM because it is building a strong, united and developed Uganda for families, for children and for all adults,” she noted. She cautioned Namayingo residents never to take peace for granted, noting that Uganda’s stability has made it a refuge for people fleeing conflict in neighbouring countries. “There are many refugees coming here because there is peace that is not in their nations, so we cannot play with peace and our unity. Remember to vote for the President and the NRM so that we can continue building this nation into a better, stronger and more developed Uganda.” The NRM First National Vice Chairperson Al-Haji Moses Kigongo called on leaders to maintain discipline and avoid divisive politics. “Let us be united and not divided for the good of this country. A movement person behaves well, is disciplined, and does not look for cheap popularity,” he said. He advised leaders to use respectful language during campaigns and avoid intimidating the public. Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for East African Community Affairs, thanked the people of Namayingo for their consistent support to the NRM and encouraged them to remain committed to the work of development. “Thank you for supporting the NRM. Please continue contributing so that the party can deliver more services closer to the people,” she said. The Namayingo District NRM Chairperson, Mr. Raymond Mugisa appreciated the government for elevating Namayingo to district status and highlighted its growing population, now standing at 266,716 people, according to the 2024 census. Namayingo District has 11 sub-counties, 50 parishes, and 306 villages, with a steadily growing population and expanding electoral footprint. The district has received Shs 15.3bn, with 99.96% disbursed to 15,409 households, about 26% of all households. This signals strong absorption and community participation in the money economy. Namayingo hosts 54 Emyooga SACCOs with 2,161 members, benefiting from Shs 1.3 billion in government funding to support enterprise groups. Out of 306 villages, 218 now have safe water-71% coverage. Major projects completed include; Protection of key springs and drilling 24 boreholes. The others are; rehabilitation of 105 water sources, construction of piped water systems in Namayingo Town Council, Sigulu, and Bumalenge. The Namayingo Town Council system alone now serves 19,378 people. Ongoing and planned works include the Lolwe Island piped system, Bukana Water Supply Scheme, and rehabilitation of 35 boreholes, with future expansion planned for Singila Landing Site. The New solar-powered irrigation schemes in Dohwe and Mulwanda are boosting modern farming. Additional 12-acre demonstration sites are planned in Namahuhuni, Butanira, and Buhobi. Namayingo is also currently connected to the national grid. Currently, 7 out of 11 sub-counties have electricity, with the government committing to connect Bukana, Sigulu Islands, Banda and Buhemba in the next kisanja. The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

2025-11-19

MAYUGE: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI SAYS DIRECTIVE SCRAPPING 5 PERCENT DEDUCTIONS IMPOSED ON SUGARCANE FARMERS STILL STANDS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has maintained that his recent directive scrapping the 5 percent deductions for waste management being imposed on sugarcane farmers by millers still stands. President Museveni who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, made the assurance today while addressing a massive campaign rally in Katwe village, Mayuge Town Council, Mayuge District. This year, President Museveni directed sugar millers to stop deducting a controversial 5 percent “trash levy” from sugarcane farmers, calling it unfair. The directive came after discussions with farmers and millers to address challenges in the sector and came into effect in August 2025. During the same rally, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flagbearer also assured sugarcane farmers that the weighbridges for sugarcane transport are still operational and that they shouldn't be worried. President Museveni further announced a major new government initiative to support large-scale farmers, revealing plans to create a national fund to purchase fertilizers and to fully construct fishponds for communities unable to afford them. The President said the new initiative is aimed at boosting productivity and accelerating wealth creation, especially in rural areas where households have the land and potential but lack the capital to modernize agriculture. “We are starting a fund to purchase fertilizers for those who are farming on a large scale. The government will also build ponds because you are not in position to do so yourselves, it’s an expensive venture,” he said. President Museveni explained that this support will complement the wealth-creation message the NRM has pushed since the 1960s. He reminded the crowd that development and wealth are not the same, saying that “a tarmac road or electricity is ours, but wealth is yours.” He urged households to embrace the four-acre model—coffee, fruits, pasture, food crops, along with poultry, piggery or fish farming—ensuring income at the family level. He pointed to examples like George Matongo of Ngoma, a dairy farmer who collects over 900 litres of milk daily despite living in a remote village without major infrastructure, saying such success shows that wealth creation is possible for anyone willing to adopt modern farming practices. The President also thanked God for enabling him, the First Lady and other NRM leaders to return to the area in peace. He recalled that 52 years ago he had been in the same area not for a rally, but fighting in the forests of Kityerera. “We lost many people in that war—Eng. Kasada, Nkonko, Ntwale—and some were executed in public like Karambuzi in Kabale, Karuhanga in Mbarara, Obona and Abejja in Gulu. All those were connected to this Kityerera here; they were in a camp here,” he said. He emphasized the NRM’s contributions to Uganda over the years, beginning with the restoration of peace. He said that Uganda endured many wars even after 1972 but now enjoys “total peace.” On development, he pointed to road works such as the Musita–Mayuge–Busia road, and assured residents that, “what remains is Iganga to Bwanda and others are being done, and what is not yet done will be done.” President Museveni highlighted gaps in the distribution of education facilities, noting that Mayuge has 143 government primary schools and 84 parishes, yet 21 parishes still lack a primary school due to poor planning. He said the district has 12 government secondary schools with nine sub-counties currently served, while new seed schools—Mpungwe (completed), Weilasa (under construction) and Kityerera (to be constructed)—will help address the gaps. On health facilities, the President said that out of 16 sub-counties, only two lack a Health Centre III or IV, and these will be upgraded. On job creation, President Museveni said employment comes from wealth generated in agriculture and factories, noting that industries have created 1.3 million jobs compared to the government's 480,000. He urged supporters to confidently explain that they back the NRM because it has delivered peace, development, wealth creation and jobs. On her part, Maama Janet thanked God for the transformation Uganda has undergone, saying, “There was a time when Uganda had become a failed state, and God brought the President with the NRM. Now we stand here together as a testimony to what God has done.” She thanked the people of Mayuge for their commitment and added, “Please don’t forget you have a duty to vote, and please vote NRM.” Hon. Aggrey Bagiire, the NRM Chairperson for Mayuge District, thanked the President for upgrading roads such as Musita–Busia and for supporting the construction of the District Council Hall, Administration Block and other projects. He applauded the government’s efforts in improving health centres and praised programs like PDM, Emyooga, NAADS and youth livelihood initiatives benefiting various groups like the ghetto youth, boda boda riders and taxi operators. Hon. Bagiire also requested an industrial park for Busoga and a district hospital for Mayuge.

2025-11-19

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS NEW NRM OFFICE IN MAYUGE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, commissioned a newly constructed party office in Mayuge District as part of his ongoing campaign trail across the Busoga sub-region. The office, located in Katwe village in Mayuge Town Council, will serve as the NRM’s permanent regional headquarters in Busoga. It sits on a 100 by 75 ft titled plot of land donated by Bunya West MP Hon. Aggrey Henry Bagiire. President Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, made a stopover to commission the office enroute to his final campaign rally of the day. He was joined by senior party leaders, including the NRM Vice Chairperson for the Eastern Region, Hon. Calvin Echodu; the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, and the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Mayuge Woman MP, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama Isanga. In a symbolic gesture marking the official opening, the NRM Presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections cut a yellow ribbon before touring the facility. He commended local leaders for their commitment to strengthening party structures at the grassroots. After the commissioning, the President proceeded to a campaign rally where thousands of supporters had gathered. He reiterated his message of peace, development, wealth creation, job creation, and improved education as key pillars of the NRM’s 2026–2031 Manifesto. The new party office is expected to play a central role in coordinating NRM activities in the region ahead of the 2026 general elections, reinforcing the party’s organizational presence and mobilization capacity in Busoga.

2025-11-19