PRESIDENT MUSEVENI TASKS MUSLIMS TO PRAY FOR A PEACEFUL UGANDA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the Muslim faithfuls to pray for Uganda to remain peaceful. “As you embark on your pilgrimage to Mecca, pray for Uganda to remain peaceful,” he said. The President made the remarks today in his message delivered by the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye while flagging-off 100 Muslims who are going for Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The flag-off ceremony took place at the Office Of the Prime Minister Conference Hall in Kampala. Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime – it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world travel to and perform Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Hajj of various Imams, Sheikh, Sheikats, among others, was fully-funded by the State House under the directive of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Ms. Barekye also revealed that the President requested believers, especially the leaders to preach the gospel of wealth creation to ensure that Ugandans get out of poverty. Ms. Barekye further informed Muslims that if they have land, President Museveni encourages them to fight poverty through commercial agriculture. “Embrace the four acre model for those with small land Holdings. You can put coffee on one acre, another acre grow fruits, the third acre grow pasture for zero grazing, then on the fourth acre grow food crops,” she said. “But as a leader you should lead by example, create avenues of wealth creation so that people can take a leaf from you.” During the same event, Ms. Barekye delivered President Museveni's financial support of USD500 to each beneficiary which they will use as upkeep while on pilgrimage. “H.E the President also thanked you for loving God and it's the reason why he sponsored you for Hajj. Everything has been fully funded,” she noted. The Senior Presidential Advisor for Political Mobilization, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga commended President Museveni for having a listening ear and ensuring that he works for all people, especially the ordinary Ugandans. He also thanked Ms. Barekye for being a hardworking public servant who works around the clock to ensure that President Museveni’s pledges and directives to Ugandans are fulfilled. “President Museveni takes the Hajj program in high esteem, that's why he offers 100 slots each year.” He also informed the beneficiaries that President Museveni will host them for Shukuru (thanksgiving) at State House Entebbe when they come back from Hajj. Mr. Byaruhanga further urged believers to embrace President Museveni’s wealth creation programs like the Parish Development Model to fight poverty and improve their livelihoods. He assured Muslims that PDM does not contravene the Islamic teachings against riba. He said the small interest is not profit from grant, but it's meant to keep the program afloat amidst inflation challenges. The Deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Hafidh Haroon Muhammad Bukenya, on behalf of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) thanked the government of Uganda and President Museveni for the continued support towards Islam. “We thank President Museveni for making this offer annually. As Muslims, we are very happy for the support from this government. They have really supported us financially and socially,” he said. “We cannot thank President Museveni enough apart from praying for him. Let us continue praying for our government and our President so that they stay in power peacefully.” Sheikh Bukenya also called upon Muslims to always respect the government and their leaders because, “Leadership comes from God”. “We pray for the good health of our President so that he can continue serving this nation.” Hajjat Mariam Namayanja, The Special Presidential Assistant in charge of Monitoring the Parish Development Model programs expressed gratitude to President Museveni for supporting the Muslims to go for Hajj annually. Sheikh Saidi Kasawuuli, the Chairman of the National Association of Imams and Duats of Uganda thanked President Museveni for loving Muslim faithfuls and always supporting them in various initiatives including funding Hajj for several muslims annually. Hajji Sadat Kisuyi, the Director of Anwaary Travel Agency which offers Hajj and Umrah services, thanked Allah for enabling the selected few to fulfil the 5th pillar of Islam. “When you go to Mecca, pray for our President and thank Allah for him. He gives Muslims in Uganda 100 Hajj slots annually,” he said.

2025-06-27

COL. BAGONZA HAILS PRESIDENT MUSEVENI AS SFC OPENS 3RD INTER-UNIT RIFLE COMPETITION

The Commander of the Three Special Force Group, Col. Wilson Bagonza, has hailed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also Commander-In- Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), for his unwavering support towards the training and equipping of the army. He said the President’s support to UPDF is instrumental in enhancing the army’s operational effectiveness. Col. Bagonza made the remarks on Monday 23rd June, 2025, while presiding over the official opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the annual Special Forces Command (SFC) inter-unit rifle competition at Fort Samora Machel Special Forces Training School in Kaweweta, Nakaseke district, where he represented the Commander of the SFC, Maj. Gen. David Mugisha. “I thank our Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for all we are doing, he's the originator, and he actively participates in supporting our training efforts to ensure that we are well-equipped. In the same vein, I thank the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for his tremendous efforts in professionalizing not only SFC but the entire UPDF,” Col. Bagonza said. According to Col. Bagonza, prioritizing capacity building within the UPDF has led to significant improvements in the professionalism, discipline, and combat readiness of the force. He encouraged participants to take the competition seriously as a way of improving their skills. “You might not be the best, but you have been given this opportunity to be here and baptized in the name of being the best. So, since you have been baptized with that name, please defend it and excel,” he emphasized. This year’s SFC inter-unit rifle competition witnessed drills from 11 teams representing the four formations, including the Headquarters Group, One Special Forces Group, Two Special Forces Group, and Three Special Forces Group, respectively. It includes disciplines such as the Strongest Special Challenge, the Long-Range Rifle Challenge, the Pistol Challenge, the Hostage Rescue Challenge, and Direct Action. On the last day, CSFC Challenge Best Squads will demonstrate HR, DA, and shooting falling plates and targets. “So, remember that you're not competing with an enemy. Each of us should be your friend's keeper during this period. Do not allow your friend to go wrong. Practice as much as you can. Shape the knowledge you acquired and the skills you already have, remove the panic, and compete with confidence and friendship for brotherhood to prevail,” Col. Bagonza noted. The commandant of Fort Samora Machel Special Forces Training School, Lt. Col. Beyendera Edison said the competition is more than a test of skill and marksmanship. He revealed that it's a celebration of the discipline, precision, and unwavering commitment that defines the Special Forces Command. “It provides a platform to strengthen our unity, foster healthy rivalry, and share best practices that sharpen our operational readiness. I urge all participating units to compete with courage, respect, and true sportsmanship,” he said, adding that the competitions remind them that excellence is not a destination, but a continuous journey, which embodies them with pride and dedication. The Director of Training and Doctrine - SFC, Col. Paul Lokut, described the inter-unit competition as a celebration of the mission of Special Forces, not only in Uganda but the entire world. “All the scenarios that are to be performed in this competition are common actions, tasks, and missions of the Special Forces worldwide; from direct action, hostage rescue, and unconventional warfare. I therefore urge participants to embrace the challenges, knowing they are doing what is expected of them as Special Forces,” he added. He urged the participating teams to exhibit discipline and make their commanders proud. The ceremony was also attended by, among others, the commanding officers, operations and training officers, commandants of respective training schools, and officers of the Special Forces Command.

2025-06-23

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HAILS PDM SUCCESS IN GREATER MUKONO

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was left impressed and full of praise after meeting Ms. Nampa Harriet, a beneficiary of the Parish Development Model (PDM), whose inspiring transformation of a modest UGX 500,000 investment into a successful farming enterprise has become a symbol of what the program aims to achieve across Uganda. During his visit to Mangaliba village in Nakisunga Sub-County, Mukono District, on Thursday, 19th June 2025, President Museveni commended Ms. Nampa for her entrepreneurial spirit and excellent use of government support. During her inspiring testimony that captured national attention, Ms. Nampa, a mother of four, narrated how she turned a modest government grant of UGX 500,000 into a thriving piggery business and later expanded into dairy farming, now earning a daily income and providing for her family comfortably. Initially hesitant to accept a full million shillings under the PDM, she requested only half, fearing the burden of managing such a large sum. “I used UGX 300,000 to buy three female pigs, each at UGX 100,000, and used the balance of UGX 200,000 to buy pig feed. In eight months, they produced 27 piglets. I sold 25 piglets at UGX 100,000 each, earning UGX 2.5 million. I couldn’t believe I was touching millions,” she joyfully informed the President. Ms. Nampa reinvested in her business by saving UGX 1 million with her father and using UGX 1.5 million for more feed. On the second round of breeding, she earned another UGX 2.5 million from piglet sales and later added a cow to her assets, further diversifying her source of income. The cow now produces seven liters of milk daily, two of which are consumed by her family, while the remaining five are sold for UGX 10,000 per day. “Thank you, Mr. President, for considering us, the poor people, and sending us capital. As someone who had nothing, I can now see where I’m going. This UGX 1 million is not small if you plan very well. Those who say it's little don’t know how to use it,” Ms. Nampa noted. Her remarkable journey from being a cautious borrower to thriving agri-entrepreneur impressed President Museveni, who used her example to highlight the importance of strategic planning, discipline, and utilizing available government programs. According to the President, the Parish Development Model is a revolutionary step towards eradicating poverty among Ugandan households, especially at the grassroots. “I’m very happy to see that youths who had never touched a million shillings are succeeding. This is what we envisioned when we introduced the PDM. It shows that our people are now understanding the importance of small-scale enterprise,” said the President. He emphasized that the PDM is an evolution of long-standing NRM initiatives such as Entandikwa, NAADS, and Operation Wealth Creation, all of which laid the foundation for Uganda’s rural transformation. The difference, he noted, is that PDM sends money directly to the people, empowering them to drive their development. “This model is not new. It stems from the 1996 NRM manifesto’s ‘four-acre model’ that included coffee, fruits, pasture for dairy, and food crops, with piggery or poultry in the backyard. What’s new is the direct financial empowerment of our people,” President Museveni added. In recognition of Ms. Nampa’s success and as a way to further boost her enterprise, President Museveni pledged to buy her an acre of land worth UGX 60 million, a motorized three-wheeled vehicle (tuk-tuk) worth UGX 12 million, and dig a borehole in the village to alleviate water challenges. He also gave UGX 1 million to each of the ten PDM beneficiaries who attended the meeting. Ms. Nampa’s success story is not an isolated case. Across the Greater Mukono subregion, comprising Mukono, Kayunga, Buikwe, and Buvuma districts, the PDM is creating visible change. A total of UGX 67.7 billion has already been disbursed out of the UGX 70.1 billion allocated to the region, reaching all 273 PDM SACCOs. Additionally, each SACCO has received an extra UGX 50 million in the second tranche for the financial year 2024/25. Mukono District, with 88 SACCOs, received UGX 4.4 billion; Kayunga District, with 71 SACCOs, received UGX 3.55 billion; Buvuma District, with 38 SACCOs, received UGX 1.9 billion; Buikwe District, with 31 SACCOs, received UGX 1.55 billion; Lugazi Municipality, with 20 SACCOs, received UGX 1 billion; Njeru Municipality, with 16 SACCOs, received UGX 800 million; and Mukono Municipality, with 9 SACCOs, received UGX 450 million. The event was also attended by the NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda region, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, the Minister of State for Micro-Finance, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, the PDM National Coordinator, Hon. Sozzi Galabuzi, among others.

2025-06-22

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES RURAL COMMUNITIES TO DEFEND PEACE, ASSURES THEM ON CRIMINALITY FIGHT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today called for tighter coordination between local communities and the police to preserve Uganda's peace which has been in existence for decades. Speaking at a public rally at St. Cornelius Playground in Kalagala Village, Buikwe District, the President mentioned that the country has been transformed, with peace standing as the foundation. He reminded the attendees that Uganda’s current stability is not by chance, but a result of deliberate efforts. “We built for you a strong army in the 1980s that has protected this country,” he said. President Museveni was particularly concerned about the rise in petty but disruptive crimes in rural areas including theft of cows, chickens, crops, among other items which he said frustrate efforts toward wealth creation. He pointed to the Masaka killings (Ebijambiya) as a turning point in Uganda’s fight against rural crime. “We captured the killers in Masaka because of coordination between the police, the dogs, and the wananchi. That’s the model we must adopt everywhere,” he said. President Museveni also recounted a case in Masaka where attackers struck a home while the husband was away. The wife, instead of calling local police, phoned her husband in Mubende, setting off a delayed response. “Five people died as the criminals fled,” he noted, calling the incident a painful lesson in the importance of direct and local communication. “To fix this, I directed that every household must have the contact of the sub-county police. That number should be toll-free. When there is coordination, we can act immediately,” he said. He also cited another case of a nurse, Nakyambadde, near Lukaya, who was targeted by criminals. Thanks to the prompt action; she alerted local police who arrived in time, neutralized the gang and arrested the last suspect as far away as Ntungamo. “That phone call saved her life. These killers are not special. What they took advantage of was our disorganization,” he explained. The President emphasized the use of trained police dogs, CCTV cameras, and digital number plates with embedded chips as new tools in crime fighting but warned that community involvement remains the most powerful weapon. “Don’t tamper with crime scenes. Let the dogs track. Let the police lead. And from now on, there will be no more police bonds for these thugs,” he warned. DEVELOPMENT ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH: Highlighting the need for inclusive prosperity, President Museveni emphasized that national development projects like roads, electricity and schools must go hand-in-hand with personal wealth creation at the household level. “This road from Mukono– Kisoga– Nkokonjeru, the electricity, and the schools, are for all of us. We all benefit from these projects, but that is development. Wealth is different, it is personal, and it must be built within your homes, your families, or your enterprises,” he said. He warned that Uganda can have paved roads and modern infrastructure but still have poverty-stricken communities living along them. “In 1965, when I was in Senior Five at Ntare School, we traveled by car from Mbarara to Soroti and the road was already tarmacked. Since we came into government, we have renovated it further. But even now, you’ll still find poor people living along that road,” he said. Reiterating a wealth creation campaign he began in the 1960s, the President praised the cattle corridor communities who heeded his early call for economic transformation. “I’m very glad the dairy farmers of 1964–65 listened. We told them to stop moving from place to place trying to run from foot and mouth disease. They listened and now, they’re earning big,” he said. He then advocated for intensive agriculture, especially for families with limited land. “If you have a small piece of land, say two acres and you grow cotton or tobacco, you get little per year. But you must produce a good or service for sale and you must do it with ekibalo (calculation),” he said. “If you have four acres, do seven things: One acre for coffee, it can bring you Shs15 million a year. The second acre for fruits, the third for pasture you can support eight Fresian cows on one acre. The fourth acre for food crops for the family. In the backyard, do poultry for eggs, piggery if you're not a Muslim, and fish farming if you're near swamps. Fish farming brings a lot of money. One acre, with four ponds can give you up to Shs 80 million a year.” On the Parish Development Model (PDM) program, the President reminded beneficiaries that the funds are not giveaways but community-owned investments. “This PDM is your bank. It is not a handout; it’s a revolving fund meant to uplift you from poverty. Those who have received the money must ensure it is put to good use and repaid after two years so that others can also benefit,” he noted. He issued a stern warning against misuse or neglect of the program. “This money belongs to you and your community. If you misuse it or fail to repay, you deny others a chance to improve their livelihoods.” President Museveni also took a firm and historical stance on land injustice, especially the plight of bibanja tenants. “When we introduced busuulu as a token, landlords complained that it was meaningless, but I told them this land belongs to the people.” He condemned forceful evictions, calling them illegal and colonial remnants. “This is a colonial legacy. Chasing people off land is banned. It is illegal. If someone tells you to leave land you have been using, brings papers, and claims to be your landlord, that's abuse of your ignorance,” he said. “We shall make sure that bibanja holders pay ground rent through the sub-county office. Landlords who reject these payments will no longer have room to manipulate or threaten tenants.” Responding to the requests made earlier, the President announced targeted financial support to local SACCOs. “I have put Shs30 million in the Youth SACCO and another Shs30 million in the Women SACCO,” he said. On her part, Hon. Diana Mutasingwa, the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President and Woman Member of Parliament for Buikwe District, applauded the President for his continued commitment to transforming the lives of the people in Greater Mukono. “I thank you, President Museveni, for touring Greater Mukono and for the tangible efforts you’ve made to uplift our people,” Hon. Mutasingwa said, highlighting key interventions that have directly benefited the district. She also expressed deep gratitude to President Museveni for signing the Sugarcane Bill into law, explaining that it is a game changer for Buikwe and other sugarcane growing districts in the country. “Our farmers are grateful. This law has brought hope and dignity to the hardworking growers in our region,” she noted. Hon. Mutasingwa also acknowledged several other critical government investments, including the allocation of Shs10bn for the construction of the Buikwe District Headquarters, Shs1.3 billion for an irrigation scheme, and the budgeting of the Lugazi–Kiyindi–Buikwe road, a vital transport link for the district. However, the Minister also outlined key challenges still facing her constituents. She called for the President’s urgent attention to the plight of the fishing community, reminding him of his commitment to protect Lake Victoria for indigenous Ugandans. The event was also attended by Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, the Government Chief Whip, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda region, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, the Minister of State for Micro-Finance, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, Ms. Jane Barekye, the State House comptroller, among others.

2025-06-22

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PROPOSES VILLAGE BOREHOLES TO ADDRESS WATER CHALLENGES FOR FARMERS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said that the government is to establish boreholes per village to address the farmers’ widespread concerns about inadequate water for poultry and livestock as well as other needs of the Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries. According to President Museveni, water scarcity has been among the challenges raised by most PDM beneficiaries during his nationwide wealth creation tours. “This will ensure the people have water for their PDM enterprises, such as poultry, livestock, and the rest,” President Museveni emphasized. President Yoweri Museveni made the remarks while speaking to journalists from Greater Mukono at State Lodge, Nakasero on Sunday 22nd June 2025, where he laid out decisive government actions to strengthen the PDM initiative. President Museveni reiterated that PDM is tailored for small-scale farmers (those owning fewer than four acres) to engage in the government-recommended seven high-yielding activities under intensive agriculture, which give quick returns on a small scale. Under the four-acre model, the recommended activities include coffee, fruits, pasture for zero-grazing animals, and food crops for household consumption. Additionally, the President encouraged beneficiaries to adopt backyard poultry, piggery (for non-Muslims), and fish farming on the edges of wetlands. “We have now added palm oil trees, cocoa, and avocado, but we are continuing to assess them,” the President said. Addressing the rise in cattle and poultry theft, President Museveni warned that perpetrators will be arrested using security surveillance cameras and digital number plates which will be used to track vehicles and motorcycles. He urged communities to preserve crime scenes and also form voluntary village security teams for night patrols, aimed at reducing both theft and mob justice incidents. Confronting reports of beneficiaries receiving less than the stipulated UGX 1 million, President Museveni assured that top-up payments would be made. “If it’s found out as an act of theft by PDM officials and commercial officers, then they will be arrested,” he cautioned, reiterating a strict stance on misappropriation of PDM funds. The PDM, launched in February 2022, is the government’s flagship poverty-alleviation strategy aimed at transforming subsistence households into the money economy. Responding to the issue of publicizing the PDM program by the government in the media, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, informed President Museveni that it is part of the licensing requirements from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) that every media house allocate free airtime every week to talk about government programs, especially concerning wealth creation. President Museveni warned that media houses that do not implement this will not be allowed to operate.

2025-06-22

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS MENGO ZONAL PRESIDENTIAL INDUSTRIAL HUB

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today commissioned the Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Kayunga District. The commissioning was part of the President’s countrywide assessment tour on the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation promotion in Greater Mukono. President Museveni's journey through Greater Mukono was punctuated by several stopovers as thousands of residents gathered by the roadsides to catch a glimpse of the Head of State and express their support. He made brief addresses in Mukono town, Kabembe, Kalagi, Nakifuma, and Kayunga town, where he emphasized the need for electing leaders aligned with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) principles and are committed to tracking and delivering government programs. “The problem you have is that you elect leaders who don’t follow up on the money we send to the ground to help you fight poverty,” President Museveni said. He urged the people to vote for NRM candidates in the upcoming general elections scheduled for January 2026, asserting that only leaders loyal to the government’s agenda can effectively push for development and accountability. In Kabembe town, President Museveni promised to support the Women’s SACCO with UGX 20 million and follow up on their market that was destroyed by fire. Upon arrival in Kayunga, President Museveni was warmly received by jubilant residents and students of Hopeful Future Secondary School. Moved by their reception, the President donated two cows to the students to enjoy a feast and encouraged them to work hard in school for a prosperous future. President Museveni also commended the Kayunga Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Aidah Nantaba Erios for her efforts in advocating for government programs. Hon. Nantaba thanked the President for the Universal Primary and Secondary Education (UPE and USE), although she noted the challenge of overcrowded classrooms given the fact that the program has attracted huge enrollment. In response, President Museveni pledged to follow up on critical local issues, including land grabbing in Kayunga and veterans’ gratuity, locally referred to as akasiimo. He also promised to contribute UGX 50 million to a local women’s SACCO to support their income-generating projects. The President assured residents that the government would soon work on the long-awaited Galiraya-Baale road, further cementing his commitment to improving infrastructure and livelihoods in the area. He further reiterated the importance of government initiatives like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga in uplifting Ugandans from poverty. He noted that his nationwide tour is aimed at monitoring the implementation of these programs and ensuring they meet the intended goals. The visit to Greater Mukono is part of the broader PDM Presidential zonal tours, which have so far covered regions including Greater Mpigi, Greater Masaka, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile, Rwenzori, Ankole, Kigezi, Tooro, and Bunyoro. The goal is to fast-track Uganda's transformation by lifting 3.5 million households out of subsistence farming and into the money economy.

2025-06-20