PRESIDENT MUSEVENI GIVES BUSOGA GHETTOS, MUSLIM WOMEN SACCOS SHS 3.2 BILLION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has fulfilled his Shs2 billion financial pledge to the Muslim Women SACCOs in the country. He also extended financial support of Shs 1.2 billion to the ghetto SACCOs in the 12 districts and city of Busoga Sub-region. On behalf of the President, the package was handed over to the beneficiaries by the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye today at Okello House, Nakasero, Kampala. Ms. Barekye informed the beneficiaries that the funds should be utilized according to the Presidential directive whereby they can borrow, invest, then pay back after one year at an interest of 6 percent. For clarity, Ms. Barekye explained that the 6 percent interest applies on ghetto SACCO funds whereas for the Muslim Women SACCO funds, a service fee of 6 percent will be charged per annum. Furthermore, she said that the money is not a personal donation but support from the government to empower the groups economically. “Whoever misuses this money, will be arrested and jailed,” she warned. The event was also attended by the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization, Haji Faruk Kirunda who also serves as the coordinator of the Busoga Ghetto SACCOs and Muslim Women SACCOs in the country. On the directive of the President, Haji Kirunda and Crime Intelligence Director, Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira were tasked to coordinate the ghettos in Busoga. Haji Kirunda cautioned the beneficiaries against misusing the funds, explaining that this particular Presidential support is not meant for elections or politics but rather it's for empowering them to uplift their livelihoods. “The President gave out this support because you gave him a proposal way back and now the government is fulfilling what it promised you,” he said. “This money is not from President Museveni as a person but from the government so don't come in the name of politics to misuse it because if you do so, you will be arrested and dealt with according to the law.” Haji Kirunda further noted that his Office is going to put up a system to monitor how the SACCOs are using the money in order to ascertain its impact. “H.E the President said that by the end of each year, an audit will be conducted to know the status of the funds,” he said. “No one is supposed to increase or reduce the interest rate apart from H.E the President. It should be 6 percent as the President directed.” The National Chairperson of Uganda Muslim Women Council, Hajjat Sofia Kenyangi thanked President Museveni for fulfilling his pledge to the Muslim Women.

2025-09-22

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES SECOND PHASE OF FOUR-ACRE MODEL CAMPAIGN IN BUNYORO

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday launched the second phase of the Four-Acre Model campaign in Bunyoro sub-region, with a renewed call to Ugandan households to embrace commercial farming as a sure path out of poverty. The launch took place at Nalweyo Playground in Kakumiro District. The campaign covers the districts of Masindi, Kiryadongo, Hoima and Buliisa. The first phase of the Four-Acre Model in Bunyoro, was launched in November 2024 covering districts of Kakumiro, Kagadi, Kibaale, and Kikuube. The campaign, led by President Museveni and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja focuses on mobilizing farmers to diversify their land for various agricultural activities and promoting division of land into four main sections for coffee, fruits, food crops, and pasture for livestock. Earlier in the day, President Museveni met with the beneficiaries of the first phase of the Four-Acre Model at the home of Hon. Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Transport. He later toured the farm of model farmers, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Balikagira, in Kihauguzi village, Kakumiro District, before proceeding to address the rally. Speaking at the event, the President reminded farmers that the Four-Acre Model is not a new idea, but a vision he first introduced in the 1996 NRM Manifesto. He said the model is designed to guide smallholder farmers on how to earn sustainably from limited land. “If you have only two acres and grow cotton or tobacco, you’ll remain poor. But if you plan well with ekibalo (calculation) you can generate serious income,” President Museveni explained. He outlined the ideal land use plan: one acre for coffee, one for fruits such as mangoes and pineapples, one for pasture to support dairy cows, and one for food crops to ensure food security. Backyard farming, he added, can supplement income through poultry, piggery (for non-Muslims), and fish farming. “Fish farming, for instance, can bring in up to Shs80 million a year from one acre of ponds,” the President revealed, urging farmers to adopt diversified, high-yield agriculture. President Museveni also highlighted success stories inspired by the Four-Acre Model. Among them was Mr. Joseph Ijala from Serere District, who turned two acres into a poultry farm with 1,000 chickens, earning Shs3 million monthly from eggs. Today, Ijala earns more than Shs1 billion a year from poultry and dairy. He also cited Hon. Byamukama, who makes over Shs55 million a month from poultry farming alone, and Mr. Richard Nyakana, a farmer in Kabarole who employs 15 people on a single acre of land. “These examples show you what is possible. Please listen carefully to the NRM message. Plan number one is commercial agriculture. From there, we go to manufacturing and then services, and others. These are the pillars that will transform Uganda,” the President emphasized. The President also reminded the people of Bunyoro of the wider benefits brought by the NRM government, including peace and improved infrastructure. “Today, we have tarmacked roads, and with peace restored, it is now possible for farmers to work and transport their produce profitably,” he said. Beneficiary Speaks out: In a press interview, Mr. Balikagira proudly shared how he transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture after embracing the model. “I started with just coffee seedlings from the government. In my first season, I earned Shs8 million, then Shs12 million, and last year a total of Shs18 million from coffee alone,” he said. With his earnings, Mr. Balikagira diversified into bananas, poultry, goats, pineapples, and dairy farming. “I now sell up to Shs800,000 worth of bananas every month, goats at Shs200,000 to Shs400,000 each, and milk at Shs1,400 per liter. From poultry, I sell both eggs and broilers,” he explained. The farmer, who once struggled to provide for his family, is now a proud homeowner and able to send his children to school. “I thank the government for this initiative. I started with nothing but today I am a model farmer,” he added. The event was also attended by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, cultural and religious leaders, among others.

2025-09-21

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI'S ROADSIDE MARKET PROJECT REACHES GRASSROOTS VENDORS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s initiative to uplift roadside market vendors on Friday, 19th September 2025 extended direct support to 957 traders along the Jinja road corridor, with each receiving UGX 100,000. The beneficiaries included Kitigoma, Lugalambo, Najjembe, Namawojjolo and Maroon Markets. The package was delivered on behalf of the President by Princess Pauline Nassolo, Senior Presidential Advisor-Elderly, and Ms. Flora Kabibi, Senior Presidential Assistant on Women Affairs. Princess Nassolo urged the vendors to channel the boost into expanding their businesses rather than diverting it to other uses, stressing that the package is meant to generate income. She reinforced the President’s wealth creation message, noting that while the government has invested heavily in infrastructure, education, and health, many Ugandans remain poor because they are outside the money economy. She said the President’s goal is to raise household incomes. Ms. Kabibi commended President Museveni for prioritizing the poor and called on vendors to support him and NRM flag bearers, saying they are the only leaders committed to advancing the needs of ordinary people. She reminded the traders that in addition to the roadside vendors’ project, other government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga remain open to them if they engage their leaders to access the benefits. The vendors welcomed the President’s support with gratitude. Peter Bukenya, a trader at Najjembe, said the package would help them escape exploitative money lenders. Charles Mukuye, chairperson of Namawojjolo Supermarket, thanked the President for additional capital and a Fuso truck to ease transport, though he raised concerns over frequent road accidents that affect their businesses. James Wandera, chairperson of Maroon Market, hailed the government for extending safe water and additional capital to them. Launched in 2023, the Roadside Market Vendors Project was designed to uplift informal traders often left out of mainstream government initiatives such as PDM, Emyooga, and NAADS. The program has since enabled thousands of small-scale traders to strengthen their businesses while encouraging them to also tap into broader national development programs.

2025-09-20

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI INJECTS SHS 11.1 BILLION IN SACCOS OF MECHANICS, MCS AND SKILLING HUBS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today injected a total of Shs11.1 billion in SACCOs of mechanics in the five divisions of Kampala City, Masters of Ceremonies (MCs) in the 18 zonal regions of the country and Industrial Skilling Hub beneficiaries in 176 administrative units that include districts, cities and municipalities. The President handed over the funds today to the representatives of the respective SACCOs during a meeting at State Lodge, Nakasero. The Skilling Hubs received Shs8.8 billion with each SACCO entitled to Shs50 million, the Mechanics SACCOs received Shs500 million with each taking Shs100 million and the MCs SACCOs received Shs1.8 billion with each of the 18 groups getting Shs100 million. Handing over the funds, President Museveni explained that the money is meant to benefit ordinary Ugandans and it should be at a very affordable interest rate. “The loans the beneficiaries receive must be at 6 percent, not more than that per year and this should be put in a legal document. Anybody who doesn't do it goes to jail,” he warned. “The reason I say 6 percent is because the inflation is at around 3 percent. This will help us to keep our money in check. I give you Shs1 million, then after a whole year, you return Shs1.06 million. The ones for Parish Development Model (PDM), we give them two years so that they can first harvest.” President Museveni further assured beneficiaries that once they utilise the funds well, the government will inject more money into their SACCOs. “For the PDM, we have been insisting on Shs1 million, but with you, you must sit with Barekye and see how much you can borrow. For instance, we said for fishermen, the Shs1 million is not enough so we are going to give them a special budget because the equipment they use is expensive,” he said. “Write a special document on how you are going to use that money, then I sign.” The State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye revealed that such project is part of President Museveni’s broader initiative to economically empower ordinary citizens such as market vendors, ghetto youth, MCs, mechanics, among others. She also clarified that on the part of the Skilling Hubs, Kampala is not among the current beneficiaries because they are still registering their SACCOs. Ms. Barekye also explained that the Skilling Hub SACCOs’ funds will benefit only those who have finished training under the different hubs whereby they will be eligible to borrow start-up capital and pay back after one year. The meeting was also attended by the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization Haji Faruk Kirunda, who is coordinating the MCs SACCOs; Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, handling the Skilling Hub Beneficiaries SACCOs; Special Presidential Assistant on Service delivery, Mr. Yiga Kisakyamukama, handling the Kampala Garage SACCOS; chairpersons of the Skilling hubs around the country and representatives of the MCs led by the Chairperson of Aboogezi Bokumikolo United Savings Cooperative, Mr. Ssegujja Fred.

2025-09-20

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI IMPRESSED BY BUSESA DEMONSTRATION FARM IN KIBAALE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed Busesa Demonstration Farm in Buyanja East Constituency, Kibaale District, as an inspiring model for wealth creation and agricultural transformation. The President, who was in Bunyoro sub-region—specifically Kagadi and Kibaale districts, on Saturday September 20, 2025, to inspect ongoing wealth creation initiatives, toured the 1.5-acre demonstration farm owned by Mr. Richard Lubega. During a guided tour, Mr. Lubega showcased a variety of integrated enterprises including cattle rearing, piggery, rabbit keeping, and poultry production. The farm currently produces an impressive 75 trays of eggs per day from its poultry section. Visibly impressed by the farm’s productivity, President Museveni pledged additional support to expand its livestock section. “I’m impressed by what this man is doing at this farm. I can see he has one cow, so I'm giving him Shs12 million shillings to buy two more cows,” the President said. The Busesa Demonstration Farm is part of the broader government effort to encourage Ugandans to adopt small-scale commercial farming models that can generate steady household income. While in Kibaale, the President also visited the 4-acre model farm of State Minister for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, and other exemplary farmers who have embraced wealth creation programs. He later addressed a public rally at Nalweyiso in Hoima district. President Museveni was accompanied by Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, and NRM Vice Chairman for Western Region, Hon. Asiimwe Jonard, among other leaders.

2025-09-20

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI EXTENDS SUPPORT TO KAMPALA EVENING MARKET VENDORS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today extended support to over 9,000 evening market vendors operating under the Toninyila Market initiative in Kampala. Each vendor, mainly dealing in cooked food sold on city streets, received UGX 100,000 to boost their businesses. The State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, delivered the package on behalf of the President and commended the vendors for their resilience in working with limited capital to sustain their livelihoods. She urged them to use the funds strictly for business growth, emphasizing that the program is ongoing and will cover all divisions of Kampala. The rollout began in the Central Division and will later extend to other divisions. Ms. Barekye noted that the President’s directive is to reach “the last person” by directly supporting small-scale traders, particularly those often excluded from mainstream government initiatives. She praised President Museveni for prioritizing household income enhancement through support to small businesses. Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilization, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga also addressed the vendors, highlighting that while the NRM government has established broad anti-poverty measures such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, evening street vendors had not been adequately included. He said the President specifically tasked his team to organize and support the evening market, recognizing its role in Kampala’s economy. Mr. Byaruhanga further called on the vendors to rally behind President Museveni and the NRM flag bearers in the forthcoming elections, stressing that their continued support would ensure the sustainability of such people-centered programs.

2025-09-19