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

“NOT SUPPORTING NRM IS VERY RISKY” - PRESIDENT MUSEVENI TELLS BUGANDA NRM CADRES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has applauded members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the Buganda region who lost in the recently concluded party primaries for their decision to rally behind those who emerged as flag bearers. Speaking on Wednesday, September 17, at State House Entebbe, the President, who doubles as the NRM National Chairman, hailed the move as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to unity within the party ahead of the 2026 general elections. “I want to congratulate you, and I can see the spirit of the National Resistance Army (NRA) is coming back. Go back and support the flag bearers,” the President said, commending the losing candidates for placing the party above personal ambition. President Museveni noted that the NRM’s performance in Buganda has historically suffered due to divisions. “You hear that the NRM MPs in Buganda have been 31 out of 105, but in about 29 constituencies, the NRM had won by majority, but they divided the vote. If you had not divided your votes, the NRM would have had 60 seats instead of 31,” he observed. The meeting was attended by NRM cadres from the Buganda region, many of whom had lost in the primaries, especially at the constituency level, but had unanimously agreed to support their victorious counterparts. Reminder about Uganda’s political history: President Museveni reminded the gathering of the dangers posed when political actors fail to unite around a common vision. He drew parallels with Uganda’s troubled political past, cautioning against repeating the mistakes of earlier parties. “Not supporting NRM is very risky; the country can be in total chaos, because if you have got people who don’t see that Uganda should be one, suppose they are the ones in charge of the country. What will happen?” H.E. Museveni asked. He revisited the events following the 1980 elections, when divisions between the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Democratic Party (DP) set the stage for armed conflict. “When we came, we tried to persuade them to go back to the message of unity under the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF). They didn’t agree, and they tried to bring back DP and UPC. If they had agreed, there would have been no war from 1981 to 1986,” President Museveni recalled. The President also invoked the 1961 elections, when the Kabaka Yekka (KY) movement clashed with the Democratic Party. “Mengo said that they should boycott the election of 1961; those of the Democratic Party decided to go ahead and register themselves to participate. Those of Kabaka Yekka got annoyed and resolved to cut down on their coffee. That’s what happened in 1961,” he said, drawing a link to more recent violence, such as the killings in Masaka following the 2021 elections, arguing that the same divisive spirit has periodically resurfaced. According to President Museveni, the first obligation of political actors should be to safeguard stability, without which development cannot be sustained. He argued that supporting the NRM is not just about political allegiance but also about ensuring peace, growth, and socio-economic transformation. “Supporting NRM is first of all for stability, but also secondly, for the future, because you can see the factories are now coming. The whole of Matugga is factories, Kawempe factories, in Namanve, they are producing,” President Museveni said, noting that Uganda’s growing industrial base depends on wider markets. “Where are we selling these products? We are not selling them in Uganda. We are selling them in East Africa, South Sudan, and Congo,” he explained, stressing the importance of NRM’s ideological pillars: patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy. “It is politics of aims, not politics of jobs, not politics of groups,” President Museveni said, urging cadres to avoid politics of personal gain. Warning against politics without ideology: The President underscored the dangers of engaging in politics without a clear ideological foundation, terming it “a big danger,” reminding the audience that even the restoration of traditional leaders was undertaken with clarity of purpose. “We told everybody, yes, we are restoring the cultural institutions, but keep out of politics. No powers of administration, no powers of legislation, because these are with the people. Everything is in writing. There’s nothing we say or do that is not deliberate,” he emphasized, urging the cadres to always be guided by the NRM’s foundational aims. “If you are really clear about them, these issues you are talking about, like fighting for positions, cannot be a serious point, because you can sit down and discuss and choose who is fit to lead amongst you,” he said. President Museveni likened politics to medical practice, stressing that it must involve identifying problems and prescribing solutions. He reflected on the struggle against Idi Amin, noting that it was not merely about his brutality but also about a lack of ideological direction. “When we started fighting Idi Amin, some people said we started fighting him because he killed people. I didn’t know that Amin would kill people because even if Amin had not killed people, we would have fought him because he didn’t know what he was doing,” he said. He tied this back to NRM’s long-standing goals of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, East African unity, and socio-economic transformation. “If you go to South Africa now, it is full of Ugandans. I hear there are 1 million Ugandans there. They don’t even know what role Uganda played,” President Museveni noted. NRM cadres pledged support: On behalf of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) and cadres in Buganda, the party’s Vice National Chairperson for the region, Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, thanked President Museveni for what he described as an “ideological lecture.” “The elections of 2021 didn’t go well in Buganda, but come 2026, we are more than determined to win highly. What we are asking for is your time whenever we ask for advice. We understand that Buganda is the highest beneficiary of development in this country,” Hon. Kasolo said. He assured the President that Buganda cadres now have the answers to the challenges that previously weakened NRM’s support in the region. “We pledge that we shall bring back this team after we have won the election,” he said. The meeting drew several senior government officials and party leaders. Among them were Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who is also patron of the “Buganda on Museveni” campaign initiative; NRM Deputy Secretary General Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja-Nsereko; Buvuma County MP; Hon. Migadde Ndugwa; Gomba District Woman MP; Hon. Sylvia Nayebare; Minister of Energy; Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, and Lwengo District Woman MP Hon. Cissy Namujju.

2025-09-19

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO MOBILIZE THE FAITHFUL IN WEALTH CREATION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on religious leaders across the country to actively mobilize their congregations in the struggle for wealth creation as part of Uganda’s wider economic transformation agenda. The President made the call on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, while meeting a delegation of Born-Again leaders led by Bishop Dr. Moses Odongo, the General Overseer of the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda (NFBPC), at State House, Entebbe. Addressing the gathering, President Museveni emphasized that economic empowerment and spiritual growth should move hand in hand. He said faith-based leaders are strategically placed to guide Ugandans on practical ways of lifting themselves out of poverty. “If you have two acres, and you put one acre under cassava for food, you remain with only one acre for money. If you choose the wrong enterprise, you never get out of poverty,” H.E. Museveni explained. He drew on Uganda’s experience with low-value crops such as cotton, which he said could not sustain families. “At that time, farmers harvested about 200 kilograms of cotton an acre, selling at 200 shillings. That meant 40,000 shillings a year. How can a family survive on that? That is why I recommended foods, because foods can actually make a lot of money, even up to 30 million shillings an acre,” President Museveni said. The President reiterated his long-held view that Uganda’s prosperity lies in the correct use of land and enterprise selection, citing examples of high-value crops like coffee and fruits. President Museveni likened the principles of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to those of the Christian faith, saying both stand for non-sectarianism, unity, and reconciliation. “The NRM is like a church because we came with non-sectarianism, no revenge; these are Jesus’s teachings. Traditionally, Africans believed in revenge, in blood settlement. But we came with forgiveness and unity. That is why I said if my people are not truly Christians, let me start my own church, combining earthly issues with spiritual transformation. That is how NRM was founded,” President Museveni said. Bishop Dr. Odongo welcomed the President’s message, pledging that the fellowship of Born-again churches would stand firmly with the government in mobilizing Christians for wealth creation. “We will continue to help Christians interpret your dream of wealth creation, asking ourselves: how do we get money in our pockets and communities? That is where our churches are located. For instance, we have already started the coffee project as a way of mobilizing our people,” Bishop Odongo said. He added that through the church’s influence, entire communities, not just Christians, could be reached with programs like coffee planting and other agribusiness ventures. President Museveni assured the delegation that the government was ready to support such initiatives, including providing free seedlings. “We can help you to develop seed beds, to give free seedlings to your Christians, and when you mobilize from the church, you can also target the whole community,” the President said, noting that the high cost of seedlings from private suppliers had created barriers for ordinary Ugandans. “Seedlings were once at 400 shillings, but now I hear they are at 2000 shillings. That is why we must go back to government channels, directly or through institutions, to ensure free seedlings for our people. We can start with coffee, then move to fruits, which I introduced in Soroti,” President Museveni explained. Bishop Odongo also briefed the President on the fellowship’s plans to establish a permanent headquarters in Kasangati on six acres of land. The facility, he said, would include a training school for pastors with a structured curriculum. “If you feel God is calling you, come and study. Come and know how to do it like a doctor or a driver; you must study first. We want to set up a place where our leaders can be equipped with knowledge and skills to serve effectively,” Bishop Odongo said, appealing for government support in the project. He further commended President Museveni and First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni for preserving religious freedom in Uganda. “We have had an environment where we worship God freely. From our neighbors, we are highly regarded because of you and your family’s love for God and service to Him. Your efforts for wealth creation are amazing, and we are following that example,” Bishop Odongo said. The President welcomed Bishop Odongo’s efforts to unite the Balokole across denominations, saying such unity was crucial for both spiritual and socio-economic transformation. He reiterated that religion should not be divorced from practical efforts to improve livelihoods.

2025-09-18

ROADSIDE MARKET VENDORS HAIL PRESIDENT MUSEVENI FOR EMPOWERING THEM

Roadside market vendors yesterday expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for supporting their businesses with seed capital. Through the State House Political Department, the President extended a contribution of UGX 100,000 to each vendor at Watuba Daily Market in Lwamata Town Council (Kiboga District), Bukwikiri Daily Market (Kyankwanzi District), and Kasana Bakusekka Magenda Market (Luwero District). A total of 638 vendors benefited from the Roadside Market Vendors empowerment project. The beneficiaries, who mainly trade in groceries such as watermelons, pineapples, onions, chapatis, and chips, received the support after appealing to the President that they had been sidelined from government development programs such as Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM). The President encouraged the traders to use the additional capital wisely while continuing to pursue benefits from mainstream government programs, emphasizing that those funds also belong to them. Delivering the package on behalf of the President, the Senior Presidential Advisor-Elderly, Princess Pauline Nassolo called on the traders to invest the money productively to improve household incomes. She explained that while the NRM government has delivered infrastructure, electricity, and road networks, President Museveni now wants to ensure every home gets out of poverty. She further cautioned vendors against abandoning their work for politics and rallies that do not improve their livelihoods. Nassolo urged them to vote for leaders who deliver community interests rather than self-seekers, adding that supporting President Museveni and the NRM government would safeguard their progress. At Kasana Bakusekka Magenda Market, Chairperson Zubair Kasana thanked the President for the financial support, saying it would greatly boost the vendors’ businesses. He, however, raised concern about gaps in mobilization, stressing the need for leaders who can effectively communicate the NRM government’s achievements, warning that the opposition often exploits this weakness to mislead the public.

2025-09-18

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI BOOSTS HOIMA ROADSIDE MARKET VENDORS WITH ADDITIONAL CAPITAL

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday extended a lifeline to roadside market vendors along Hoima Road by providing each with seed capital of UGX 100,000 through the State House Political Department, led by Princess Pauline Nassolo and the Special Presidential Assistant in charge of Women Affairs, Ms. Flora Kabibi. The initiative comes after vendors raised concerns about being sidelined from mainstream government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. The support specifically targets small traders dealing in food items and groceries who have long struggled with limited working capital. Mr. Kakande David, the Vice Chairperson of Ggobero Market traders, hailed the President for the intervention, saying the support would go a long way in expanding their businesses. He further appealed for government assistance in constructing a permanent market and improving transport facilities, noting that many vendors source produce like plantain from the Democratic Republic of Congo. At Bukomero Parkyard Market, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Kiboga, Mr. Ssempala Kigozi, thanked the President for remembering the ordinary people, while chapati seller Makuye Denis expressed gratitude, saying the boost would significantly increase his daily income. Leaders of the Bukomero Daily Market also commended the gesture. They emphasized that the support was especially impactful for women, whose household incomes would see immediate improvement. The Vice Chairperson Abubaker Bukenya pledged continued support for the President and the NRM flag bearers. In Roma Roadside Market at Lwamata Town Council, vendors dealing in groceries such as carrots and onions welcomed the additional capital. The Market Chairperson Christine Nabasita applauded the President for supporting poor families and single mothers, stressing that the assistance would ease their daily struggles. Overall, 623 roadside traders benefited from the program, which aims to uplift small-scale vendors and strengthen grassroots economic activity along Hoima Road.

2025-09-17

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI ENDORSES TOORO KINGDOM’S AGRICULTURAL AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged his full support to Tooro Kingdom’s ambitious agricultural and youth empowerment programs, describing them as a timely intervention to transform livelihoods at the grassroots level. The President met His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and his delegation at State House, Entebbe, on Monday, September 15, 2025. The Tooro Royal Family was represented by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and Princess Ruth Komuntale Akiiki. Others in attendance were the Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire and senior government officials, including the Minister of State for Youth and Children, Hon. Balaam Barugahara. Presenting the Kingdom’s vision, Prime Minister Rwomiire outlined a robust plan targeting Tooro’s nine counties with agriculture and youth-centered programs. The initiative includes the establishment of coffee and cocoa nursery beds, demonstration gardens, and hatcheries in all nine counties. “What this does is it brings services close to the people, gives them income, and generates economic activities and employment,” Mr. Rwomiire said, noting that the Kingdom was seeking a budget of 4.6 billion shillings to kick-start the programs. He further revealed that Queen Mother Best Kemigisha would serve as the brand ambassador of the initiative to enhance visibility and mobilization. “The Kingdom has been there with you since, and we know the struggles we have gone through together. His Majesty the King has always acknowledged the support you have given him, including during his coronation. We know the problems, and we believe we also know the solutions,” Mr. Rwomiire added. In response, President Museveni strongly welcomed the proposal, particularly the coffee project, which he described as a “good intervention” that aligned with government efforts to commercialize agriculture under the Parish Development Model (PDM). He observed that private suppliers currently sell a single coffee seedling at 3,000 shillings, which is unaffordable for most farmers. “There’s no reason why the Kingdom can’t also do it. Government institutions have the seeds. The Kingdom can get them, multiply them, and distribute them for free to farmers,” H.E. Museveni said. The President emphasized the Parish Development Model (PDM) as the backbone of wealth creation, explaining that farmers organized under Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) would directly benefit from the seedlings distributed through the Kingdom. “This is a good intervention, provided you concentrate on the parish,” he said. President Museveni reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the 100 million shillings per parish allocation under the PDM, adding that an extra 15 million shillings would be available for local leaders who often fall outside direct parish benefits. “The Shs100 million is for the poor people. But leaders who are not part of the groups also need support. So, we are adding Shs15 million for them,” he explained. Zero Tolerance for Corruption: Responding to concerns over mismanagement of PDM funds, President Museveni issued a stern warning against theft, promising tough action against culprits. “Those stealing PDM money will vomit it. That’s not a problem. We shall lock them up until they return it. If there is monitoring and facts are established, we shall arrest them, and they will vomit the money,” H.E. Museveni declared, further insisting that despite corruption risks, the PDM remained a vital instrument for poverty eradication and would not be abandoned. Minister Barugahara briefed the President on issues raised during a Baraza in Fort Portal held ahead of the Empango celebrations. He reported irregularities in fund disbursement, including instances where money was given to non-residents of a parish. “In one parish, money was given to 50 people who didn't belong there. This has been a very big problem. We need to fix these gaps and ensure transparency,” Hon. Barugahara said. He assured the President that his ministry would step up efforts to enforce accountability through open dispute resolution and closer supervision. The Tooro Prime Minister also introduced a Youth Economic Empowerment Program, designed to be cost-effective and impact-driven. He said the initiative seeks to restore the Kingdom’s relevance to its subjects by working hand-in-hand with the government. “It is not just about the Kingdom but also about government delivery. We shall sensitize communities through radio, field visits, and kingdom structures. This is our mobilization strategy to ensure high impact and visibility,” Mr. Rwomiire said. The meeting also featured presentations from international partners working with the Tooro Kingdom on development projects. Mr. Nicolas Geoffrey, a Ugandan-born resident of the United Kingdom and special envoy of the Tooro Royal Family, revealed plans to build a university campus in Tooro specializing in agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and tourism. “We have identified land in the Kingdom and secured interest from investors. We have even engaged Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, through his envoy Claudia Pinto. However, our partners want a letter of support or directive from you to guarantee Uganda’s commitment,” Geoffrey told the President. Dr. Niel Holder, Tooro’s special envoy from Barbados and a UN Global Peace Ambassador, emphasized opportunities for trade and cultural exchange between Uganda and the Caribbean. “The Caribbean has many people who have never visited Africa. They go to Europe and the USA, spending lots of money in countries that don’t value them. With Uganda Airlines now operating flights to Britain, we can connect Britain to Barbados and open up new avenues for tourism, food trade, and cultural diplomacy,” Dr. Holder said. He pledged to work closely with King Oyo and President Museveni to develop bilateral relations that would unlock trade opportunities for Ugandan farmers and position Tooro as a hub of international partnerships. King Oyo’s delegation reaffirmed the Kingdom’s historic partnership with the central government, pledging to align its programs with national priorities. “The Kingdom has been consistent in supporting your leadership and programs. With this initiative, we want to demonstrate that we are partners in delivering transformation to our people,” Prime Minister Rwomiire said. President Museveni, visibly impressed with the proposals, praised the Kingdom’s proactive approach, particularly in anchoring its plans at the parish level, which he said would ensure inclusivity and sustainability.

2025-09-16