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10 November 2025

“WE MUST PROTECT PEACE AND CONSOLIDATE UGANDA’S DEVELOPMENT GAINS”- PRESIDENT MUSEVENI

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to protect the peace and stability ushered in by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government and to consolidate the country’s progress through hard work, wealth creation and vigilance against external and internal threats to Uganda’s development. The President made the remarks today as he concluded his campaign trail in the Bugisu Sub-region with a grand rally for Mbale City and Mbale District, held in Mbale City. President Museveni said the NRM’s greatest achievement over the last 40 years has been establishing enduring peace across Uganda, which he attributed to the Movement’s rejection of sectarian politics. “The NRM brought peace to Uganda because of the way we look at things. We don’t believe in sectarianism—religion, tribe, or looking down on women. Because of that ideology, we have been able to build a strong party that wins elections in the first round and create stability in our politics,” he said. The President added that this peace has enabled Uganda to build strong national institutions such as the army, police, judiciary and service commissions—all anchored on patriotism and professionalism. He identified development as the second major contribution of the NRM, noting that it encompasses both economic and social infrastructure. He cited the extensive rehabilitation and construction of roads, electricity expansion, and access to water as key enablers of growth in Bugisu. “Here in Mbale, you can audit what we have done. We repaired and worked on the Mbale–Soroti road, the Mbale–Budaka road, and the Mbale–Bubulo–Bugobero road. Work has started on the Mbale– Magale– Namisindwa road, while in plan we have the Mbale–Nkonkonjeru road (20km) and the longer Butaleja road (90km),” President Museveni said. He added that road connectivity is now complemented by electricity access and telecommunication coverage across the region. “You have telephones everywhere now, and electricity has reached most places. The remaining task is to extend it to the few areas not yet covered,” he said. On water, President Museveni acknowledged significant progress but said the government will extend safe water to the remaining areas. “Mbale District has 613 villages, and 484 of them have safe water—about 79%. That leaves 21% without, and we are going to cover those. There is also piped water in many towns such as Mbale Municipality, Nambale, Nakaloke and Nabumali,” he noted. President Museveni said the government is prioritizing water for production and irrigation to support commercial agriculture, citing ongoing projects such as Namatala Irrigation Scheme and Nakusi Solar-Powered Irrigation Scheme, alongside the Wabukhasa Communal Valley Tank and Wabukhasa Solar Irrigation System that already serve thousands of farmers. “We are investing in irrigation because we must stop depending only on rain-fed agriculture. Using the mountains and valleys properly will increase productivity and prevent disasters like mudslides,” he said. President Museveni added that rehabilitation of the Tororo– Mbale– Kampala– Gulu– Pakwach railway line is ongoing, aimed at improving transport efficiency and boosting trade. On education, President Museveni highlighted the expansion of public schools as evidence of the NRM’s social transformation agenda. “When I was at Ntare School in 1961, we had many boys from Bugisu because there were few schools across the country. But today Mbale alone has 21 government secondary schools, and that makes me very happy,” he said. He reiterated his commitment to free education in government schools, saying the program had been partly sabotaged by headteachers, and announced the establishment of skilling hubs per zone to equip young people with employable skills. “In these skilling hubs, I train young people for just six months, and they become useful to society, producing goods we used to import from Italy and China. In the next government, I want us to get serious with free education in government schools,” the President said. President Museveni reminded Ugandans to distinguish between development, which is public infrastructure, and wealth, which is household income. “Development is ours, but wealth is yours and for your family. We have built the infrastructure, but each family must now create wealth,” he said, emphasizing government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga which are empowering millions to join the money economy. He said the government will add Shs15 million to every parish under PDM for local leaders and also create special funds for cultural, religious, and unemployed university graduates as well as ghetto youth. President Museveni said that while the government employs about 480,000 people, factories, farms, and service sectors now provide 1.3 million jobs, three times more than public employment. “Jobs come from wealth—from commercial agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, services and artisanship. A country where most jobs come from the government is doomed,” he said. He noted that Uganda’s economy continues to grow strongly despite foreign pressure. “Even when they cut aid because we rejected homosexuality, Uganda kept progressing. Our economy remains one of the fastest growing in the world,” he said. With oil production set to start next year, President Museveni said Uganda is poised for a “qualitative leap” in infrastructure and service delivery. He also reassured citizens of peace and stability during and after elections. “Nobody can disturb our peace. Anybody who tries will be dealt with. We must protect the gains we have made and move into the future with confidence,” he said. President Museveni ended his Bugisu Sub-region campaign with a clear message that: peace, development, wealth creation, jobs, and free education remain the pillars of Uganda’s transformation. He urged the people of Mbale to consolidate these gains, embrace commercial production, and safeguard the stability that has enabled the region’s growth. The NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, Mr. Calvin Echodu, thanked the President for coming to Bugisu and for his continued support to the sub-region, and cautioned the public against tribal sentiments, calling them a danger to national unity. The NRM Chairperson for Mbale, Mr. Moses Wambogo, also expressed gratitude to the President for his development commitment to Mbale and the Bugisu Sub-region.

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09 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HOLDS TALKS WITH US AMBASSADOR WILLIAM W. POPP

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today met and held high-level discussions with the United States of America Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. William W. Popp, at Mbale State Lodge. The two leaders discussed key areas of mutual interest and collaboration between Uganda and the United States. President Museveni and his guest reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relations between the two nations.

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09 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HAILS MATONGO WOOD WORKS FOR REVIVING AFRICAN HERITAGE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed Matongo Wood Works Company Limited, a local company for reviving African heritage through the production of high-quality traditional household items. He said their work is restoring cultural pride that had been eroded by imported products. The President who was in the company of the First Daughter, Mrs. Natasha Karugire Museveni, made the remarks today while meeting with the company owners, Ms. Stella Teromu and her partner Ms. Elizabeth Karunga at Mbale State Lodge. President Museveni praised their creativity and commitment to bringing back authentic wooden and clay utensils that once defined African homes. “I want to congratulate you people. You have resurrected the African heritage of our people, which I have been trying to preserve since the 1940s,” he said. “We used plates (Esiwani, clay bowls (Ebakuli ), traditional pots (Enstimbo) and other traditional items. They were strong, durable and part of our identity.” President Museveni noted that the influx of foreign goods in the 1960s pushed many of these items out of Ugandan homes, leaving only a few such as the traditional milk pot (ekyanzi). “These imported items are just not good. Many peel, break or are made from weak materials. Our local products were of very high quality,” he said. President Museveni therefore commended Matongo Wood Works for modernizing traditional craftsmanship without losing authenticity. “I congratulate you for bringing something I have been talking about for years, what you are presenting to Ugandans is not just art. It is quality, identity and pride. You are reviving African heritage,” he said. He added that the government will support local producers who help reduce dependence on foreign plastics and silicone products. Ms. Teromu thanked the President for his support and deep appreciation of their work. “We thank the President for giving us this opportunity and for supporting our company. He loves our products so much that he feels we should sell them globally,” she said. Ms. Teromu added that Matongo Wood Works Company Limited, located in Naalya, Kampala, produces wooden and clay household items inspired by ancestral African designs adapted for modern living.

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08 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI SWEARS IN NEW PRINCIPAL JUDGE, DPP, IGG AND DEPUTIES, CALLS FOR PEOPLE-CENTERED JUSTICE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today presided over the swearing-in of Uganda’s new Principal Judge, Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, at Mbale State Lodge. Lady Justice Abodo previously served as the Director of Public Prosecutions, a role she held until August this year when she was appointed by the President to her new position. Also sworn in were Hon. Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze as Inspector General of Government, her deputies Ms. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe and Ms. Patricia Achan, as well as Mr. Lino Anguzu as Director of Public Prosecutions. President Museveni congratulated the appointees, praising their youth, integrity, and professional background. “I congratulate you on ascending to these high offices. I am glad you are young people. I know some of you individually and I have been following your record. You seem not to be corrupt,” he said. The President then delivered a detailed reflection on Uganda’s long struggle to align state institutions with the ideals that guided the liberation struggle. “We have been having a discrepancy between the bush people and the structure of the state,” he said. “We destroyed the old army and created a new one. We created a patriotic army that was not corrupt. But we still had a problem with existing structures. The civil service was colonial, corrupt and non-patriotic. The judiciary, the police, even Parliament suffered the same issues until we started getting new people who were more likely to be in line with our idealist ideas.” President Museveni said the arrival of a new generation of leaders offered hope for reform. “Therefore, the coming up of these young people, some of whom I know, is good. For example, Abodo has been in the DPP’s office and she has done some good work. Let me see what she does now that she is Principal Judge,” he said. The President spoke at length about justice, accountability and the historical expectations of Ugandan communities. “The colonial structure was a deformity. It was not harmonized with the population. Our people have their own views on justice which are very clear and closer to the law of Moses: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The tribes can forgive, but you must apologize and compensate,” he said. He added that some practices in the justice system provoke anger among citizens. “When you have people who promote impunity, when a thief disturbing the village gets bail, the villagers cannot understand. You are in conflict with the population straight away,” he said. “Why don’t you keep this person in jail and try him quickly, instead of provoking the villagers and disregarding their rights?” President Museveni therefore noted that Uganda now needs harmony between the justice system and the values of its people. “That stand-off must end. To have peace in the country, you need full accountability for crimes; otherwise, you will get all sorts of problems,” he strongly warned. He concluded by saying: “I congratulate you and wish you good luck.” The Deputy Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija also congratulated Lady Justice Abodo and other appointees. “She promoted plea bargaining with passion, both as a judge and as DPP. I have no doubt she will deliver,” he said. He advised her to strengthen court inspections, maintain quarterly reviews of magistrate courts and support special courts for gender-based violence. “I also congratulate the IGG and her deputies,” he said. The ceremony was attended by the Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka and the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe and other government officials.

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09 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WARNS AGAINST FOREIGN MEDDLING, VOWS TO SAFEGUARD UGANDA’S PEACE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned against external interference in African affairs, saying foreign actors are attempting to destabilize the region because they are threatened by Uganda’s growing industrial base and upcoming oil production. The President made the remarks yesterday during a radio talk show at Mbale State Lodge in Mbale City, where he engaged journalists in the Bugisu Sub-region. “Most of these children being misled in Tanzania and other countries are being confused by European powers that are worried about Uganda’s progress. Our industries are growing, our oil is coming — and they want to control Africa’s resources. But I must warn those confusing them that we shall crush them,” he said firmly. President Museveni reiterated that peace and stability remain the foundation of Uganda’s success under the NRM, noting that unity and discipline have enabled the country to build strong national institutions. “Number one is peace. We created peace because we don’t believe in sectarian politics. That is why we have been able to build a strong national army capable of defending our country,” he said. Tracing the NRM’s roots to 1965, the President said the Movement emerged in response to the politics of identity that had divided Ugandans along tribal and religious lines. “What is important for the people is their needs, not their tribes. Prosperity comes from production and markets, not from tribal identity,” he said. He emphasized that the NRM’s ideology is based on four key pillars — peace, development, wealth creation, and regional integration. “When the earlier sectarian groups collapsed and Amin came in, we decided to fight for a new Uganda built on unity and purpose,” he said. On development, President Museveni said that while Uganda has achieved major progress in infrastructure — including roads, electricity and schools — poverty persists in some communities because people have not fully embraced wealth creation. “Africa has been underpopulated for a long time. People can survive without progressing unless leaders wake them up — that’s what I did with the Banyankore,” he noted. He encouraged Ugandans, especially the youth, to create jobs through commercial agriculture, ICT, services and industries rather than depend on government employment. “Before colonialism, Africans had emyooga (talents), but the colonialists diverted people into administration. Jobs come from production, not from government offices,” he said. The President revealed that a new industrial park will be established in Busumbu, Mbale, to process vermiculite — a mineral used in satellite technology. “We are focusing on four sectors: commercial agriculture, factories, ICT, and services. It is wealth creation that creates jobs,” he said. He also urged residents living on high-risk mountain slopes to adopt safer farming practices and explore alternative livelihoods to prevent disasters such as mudslides. “We can sit down and agree on how best to use the mountain sustainably,” he said. On youth empowerment, President Museveni announced a forthcoming funding scheme for university graduates to support start-ups, organized by zone, and pledged to continue supporting value addition initiatives in agriculture, especially coffee processing. Reaffirming his commitment to stability, President Museveni declared: “Nobody can disturb our peace. Anybody who tries will be dealt with.” The interactive session was attended by the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, the Party’s Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, Mr. Calvin Echodu, and several leaders from the Bugisu Sub-region.

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08 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES NAMISINDWA TO VOTE FOR NRM, HIGHLIGHTS PARTY’S FOUR PILLARS IN UGANDA’S TRANSFORMATION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today took his 2026 re-election message to the mountainous district of Namisindwa, rallying thousands of supporters to continue trusting the National Resistance Movement (NRM). In his speech, the President outlined what he called the NRM’s four major contributions to Uganda: peace, development, wealth for homesteads, and jobs from wealth creation, and added a fifth one; free education, as a cornerstone of his government’s legacy. “You find politicians telling you that jobs come from the government. When you hear that the government has more jobs than the economy, then you know that it is a backward country. Jobs come from wealth creation in sectors such as commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and services like hotels and salons,” President Museveni told the cheering crowd. The President’s message, delivered under intermittent drizzles, described the NRM as the party that moved Uganda from chaos to progress. On peace, the NRM Presidential candidate recalled the struggle that brought their party to power in 1986, stressing that peace and unity remain the bedrock of all progress Uganda has achieved. “It was not easy to bring peace to Uganda, but because we believe in unity and not sectarianism, we have built strong institutions like the army, police, prisons, and intelligence services that can guard the peace,” he said. The President contrasted Uganda’s current stability with the turmoil of the past, recalling a time when “Ugandans were refugees in other countries.” Today, he noted, Uganda hosts refugees from across the region, a testament, he said, to its peace and stability. “You remember in the past, people from here smuggled goods from Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi. Now there are so many goods in Uganda that the buyers are the ones who are few,” President Museveni said. For the President, this peace is not merely the absence of war but the foundation upon which other pillars- development, wealth creation, and jobs stand. From peace, President Museveni transitioned to development, the NRM’s second pillar. He cited the expansion of infrastructure and social services across Namisindwa as evidence of the government’s commitment to transformation. “The tarmac road has reached Lwakhakha from Mbale. The challenge now is to move it from Magale to Namisindwa Central. Also, the Bubulo-Budadiri road is already funded, but it does not pass here, so we shall work on both,” he said. In education, the President reiterated the government’s policy of having one government primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county. Namisindwa, he noted, currently has 95 government primary schools and eight government secondary schools, complemented by 17 private secondary schools. However, 91 out of the district’s 163 parishes still lack a government primary school, while 21 of its 29 sub-counties have no government secondary school. The President announced that three new seed secondary schools are under construction, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without government secondary schools to 18. In health, President Museveni acknowledged existing gaps, revealing that out of Namisindwa’s 29 sub-counties, 19 lack any health facility. Plans are underway to upgrade several Health Centre IIs to Health Centre IIIs, including Bukhaweka, Mukoto, Bukiabi, and Buwuma, as well as constructing new health centers in 14 sub-counties. “Namisindwa still has no hospital or HCIV, but we are addressing this,” he said. On water and sanitation, President Museveni noted that only 52% of Namisindwa’s villages have access to safe water, with projects ongoing to expand the piped water system and construct boreholes. “We completed the Namisindwa Town Council piped water supply serving 12,238 people. We are now expanding coverage,” he said. He also mentioned the Lirima Medium Scale Irrigation Scheme and Bunamulungi Irrigation Demonstration Site, planned to enhance agricultural productivity through irrigation. On electricity, President Museveni said, it has reached Namisindwa through the national grid, though more distribution is needed. “The district is now connected; it’s only a question of spreading it out,” he assured. Wealth for Homesteads: President Museveni’s third and most emphatic theme was wealth creation, a long-running message in his speeches across the country. He cautioned residents not to confuse development with personal wealth. “You must be clear that wealth is different from development. You may have development, but if you don’t have guidance, poverty will remain in your families. That’s why we started sending you money, to get you out of poverty,” he said. He retraced the government’s journey from Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, to the latest Parish Development Model (PDM). Each program, he said, was designed to help households transition into the money economy. In Namisindwa, President Museveni revealed that the PDM had made remarkable progress. The district’s 163 parishes have cumulatively received Shs. 50.1 billion, of which 97.28% has been disbursed to 51,113 households, covering 80.3% of all households. President Museveni cited success stories to illustrate his point. He mentioned Mudebo of Sironko, who started with two acres and now produces 60 litres of milk daily and earns Shs. 90 million annually from coffee. Another was Nyanaka Richard of Fort Portal, whose one-acre “Kaana Farm” combines dairy, poultry, and manure production. He earns Shs. 108 million per year from eggs and milk, and employs several people. “Use the money we send you to get out of poverty. We shall continue sending that money. We can even increase it, like the extra 15 million shillings for the leaders,” he urged, adding that the government is to establish a special fund for religious leaders and cultural leaders, and a fund for university graduates without jobs. Wealth Produces Jobs: President Museveni’s fourth pillar focused on job creation. He challenged what he called a “false narrative” by opposition politicians that jobs come from government employment. “There are only 480,000 jobs in government, yet we have a population of 50 million. How can we all work for the government?” he asked. “In developed countries, very few people work for the government. Most are in the private sector.” To demonstrate his point, President Museveni highlighted the example of Hon. Fred Byamukama, the Minister of State for Transport, who turned his four-acre farm into a multi-enterprise model, earning Shs. 700 million per year from poultry alone and employing 26 Ugandans. “The wealth of Byamukama has produced jobs. That’s what many people don’t know,” President Museveni said. He noted that job creation under the NRM stems from four main sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing and industrialization, services, and ICT. Pointing to the booming Mbale Industrial City, he said: “The town is full of factories - that’s where jobs are coming from.” Free Education: President Museveni again revisited one of his longest-running campaigns: free education for all, saying that school administrators continue to impose charges that keep poor children out of government schools. “Since 1986, I have been insisting on free education, and that’s why I introduced it in 1996. But some people bring school charges, and pupils drop out. I want to show you that free education is possible,” he said. To illustrate, President Museveni listened to the testimony of Ms. Joy Munyalo, a 38-year-old graduate of the Bugisu Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Mbale. Munyalo, a single mother who had dropped out in Senior Four, trained in hairdressing under the State House skilling program. “I was the best student,” she said, thanking President Museveni for giving hope to young women. “With Shs. 200,000 from the State House Comptroller, I started a small salon. Today, I employ nine single mothers who also dropped out of school.” President Museveni said Munyalo’s story demonstrates the transformative power of skilling and free education. “These children were hopeless, but now they are employers,” he said, calling upon the NRM leaders to discuss the issue of charges in government schools in the coming government, and reaffirmed his support for fully free education. “Therefore, I want you, NRM people, in the coming government, you discuss the issue of charges in government schools. I support free education. Do you support it?” he asked, as the crowd responded, “Yes!” The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, also NRM’s second national vice chairperson, thanked Museveni for promoting cross-border trade at the Lwakhakha border with Kenya. “We can now trade easily, without hassle. Even a blind person can see what you have done for Uganda,” she said. Mr. Calvin Echodu, NRM vice chairperson for Eastern Region, welcomed the President back to what he termed as a familiar territory of his historical struggle. He raised two key priorities for the sub-region: the one-stop border point at Lwakhakha and completion of road infrastructure to improve trade connectivity. The NRM Chairperson for Namisindwa, Mr. Aramazan Wabuko thanked the President for his visionary leadership but called for additional interventions, including youth empowerment programs, improved health facilities, and a reduction of the SAGE beneficiary age from 80 to 75 years. Namisindwa, one of Uganda’s youngest districts, has been a reliable NRM stronghold. In the 2021 presidential elections, the district recorded 60.4% voter turnout. President Museveni polled 40,563 votes (73.3%), while NUP’s candidate managed 12,780 (23.1%). According to the 2024 census, the district’s population stands at 257,346, with 116,258 registered voters across 302 polling stations, up from 254 in 2021. President Museveni will on Monday, November 10, 2025, conclude his campaign tour of the Bugisu sub-region with a grand rally in Mbale City. Afterward, he will begin his campaign rallies in the Sebei sub-region, covering the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo.

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08 November 2025

BUDUDA: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PLEDGES TO TARMAC BUDUDA-BUBULO CIRCULAR ROAD, HAILS NRM’S RECORD ON PEACE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer, has pledged to tarmac the long-awaited 25.8km Bududa–Bubulo circular road linking the districts of Manafwa, Bududa and Namisindwa. The President made the commitment today during a campaign rally at Bukigai Primary School playground in Nangako Town Council, Bududa District. The President was accompanied by the first daughter, Mrs. Natasha Karugire Museveni. “I have come here to ask you to continue supporting the NRM because we do not just talk. We show results,” President Museveni said, drawing applause from the crowd. The President noted that although the circular road has taken time, the government has now secured funds to complete it. “We have been pushing for the Bubulo–Namisindwa–Bududa circular road. It was delayed, yes, but now we have the money and we are going to work on it,” he said. President Museveni highlighted ongoing progress in Bududa, including the completed tarmac road from Mbale along the Bumbobi–Bubulo–Lwakhakha section, describing it as part of the wider economic infrastructure the NRM has been building for the last 40 years. “The first contribution of the NRM is peace, and you are witnesses to that. Development comes next. Electricity and roads are the backbone of transformation,” he said. He recalled the electricity shortages Uganda faced in 2005 before decisive investment was made. He said, “Because of that electricity, you can now see the industrial park in Mbale. It would never have come.” President Museveni emphasized the need for leaders and communities to prioritise long-term development over short-term demands. “Some things take time. You must guide your Members of Parliament on priorities. We recently had teachers striking for higher salaries, but we must first invest in what grows the economy,” he said. The President also drew on history to illustrate Uganda’s transformation. “In 1961, when I was at Ntare School, boys from Bugisu were coming there because the whole country had only six A’Level schools. Today, Bududa alone has more than 10 secondary schools. This is the steady progress of the NRM,” he said. He cautioned the public not to confuse development with wealth creation, stressing that prosperity lies in engaging in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT. “Government jobs are only 480,000, yet we are 50 million people. Where will everyone work? Jobs come from factories, farms, hotels, transport and ICT,” he explained. President Museveni also reaffirmed his commitment to quality free education. “I introduced UPE in 1996 because I wanted every child to study. But some people did not implement it the way I wanted. Fees in government schools remain the real enemy pushing children out of school.” To bridge the skills gap, the President pointed to the Presidential Skilling Hubs. He celebrated testimonies such as that of Cathy from the Bugisu Zonal Industrial Hub, who trained in tailoring and used her start-up capital to open a workshop in Bududa. “She said the programme gave her life meaning. These are the gains we must protect,” he said. President Museveni concluded his address by summarizing the core pillars of the NRM manifesto. “In our seven-point programme, I have reminded you of four today: peace, development, wealth and jobs. These are the foundations that will secure the future of our people.” The President also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Bududa District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections. The Speaker of Parliament also the Second National Vice Chairperson-NRM, Rt. Hon. Anita Among thanked the President for compensating families affected by past landslides in Bududa. “It is unfortunate that some people claim it is the President who causes landslides. These are acts of God, not decisions of President Museveni,” she said. The NRM Chairperson for Bududa, Mr. Mukwana Wekhola Kolota welcomed the President on behalf of the district’s 268,970 residents, praising his visionary leadership and patriotism, which he said had transformed communities across the country. He outlined government achievements under the PDM programme. “Bududa District, with 160 parishes, has cumulatively received Shs 48.8 billion since 2020/21. Of this, 97.5 percent has gone directly to 47,647 beneficiary households, representing 62.8 percent coverage,” he said. “PDM has changed the lives of our people. We are now supplying cows and beef to eastern Uganda and even Kampala. That is because of your support, Your Excellency.” NRM impact in Bududa: Bududa District currently has; 89 government primary schools , 8 government secondary schools with an enrollment of 10,507 with the construction of 3 seed secondary schools underway. In the health sector, Bududa has one hospital, one HCIV and ten HCIIIs. The government plans to upgrade Nabweya HCII to HCIII and construct new HCIIIs in several town councils and sub-counties to improve service delivery. Water access stands at an impressive 99 percent coverage across villages, with several piped water systems completed in Bududa Town Council, Bududa Hospital and other communities. Additional systems are planned for Nangako Town Council and Shokholo. The district is also benefiting from irrigation schemes such as the Namaistu Irrigation Project, with expansions underway to boost agricultural productivity. Bududa is fully connected to the national electricity grid. The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

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07 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS 498 OFFICER CADETS AT KAWEWETA MILITARY TRAINING SCHOOL

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the Commander-In-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has this afternoon officiated at the commissioning ceremony of 498 Officer Cadets of Intake 19/25 at the UPDF Basic Military Training School, Kaweweta, Nakaseke District. The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as well as ambassadors and military delegations from fraternal African countries. Out of the 498 newly commissioned officers, 100 were from the Central African Republic, 20 from Mali, 40 from Somalia, 10 from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces, and 328 from the UPDF. In his address, President Museveni congratulated the officer cadets upon successfully completing their course and joining what he described as “an army of warriors and heroes”. “I congratulate the newly commissioned officer cadets whom I have just presided over at the UPDF Basic Military Training School, Kaweweta. You are joining an army of warriors and heroes — an army based on the principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, discipline, and professionalism,” the President said. He commended the cadets for demonstrating endurance and commitment, citing the 177-kilometre Salim Saleh Walk undertaken during their training, retracing the historical route used by the National Resistance Army in 1985 during the successful operation on Masindi Barracks. “That walk symbolizes commitment, sacrifice, and resilience. You are inheriting the spirit of those who never gave up. Remember, when we were fighting, we never gave up, and that’s the spirit we expect from you,” he said. President Museveni emphasized the four pillars that guide the UPDF — patriotism, Pan-Africanism, discipline, and professionalism — urging the new officers to embody those values throughout their service. “You are being commissioned into an army of warriors that stands for love of country, love of Africa, and service to the people with dignity. Be disciplined and physically ready to defend your country,” he said. The President lauded the collaboration between Uganda and other African countries represented in the training, describing it as proof that Africa has the capacity to manage its own affairs. He recounted a light moment during his interaction with one of the visiting cadets, saying, “I asked a young officer what she liked most about Uganda, and she told me, ‘akatogo.’ That shows the bonds we are building through cooperation.” President Museveni also reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving infrastructure within Luweero Triangle and the surrounding areas. He noted that several roads within the triangle have been tarmacked, and the road from Katugo to Kaweweta is among those earmarked for tarmacking. On water and electricity, the President said he would look into how water can be pumped from Lake Kyoga to serve the surrounding communities, adding that the flat terrain of Nakaseke would make such a project feasible. He also noted that electricity already exists at Kaweweta and pledged to explore how it can be extended to neighboring areas. The President further congratulated the UPDF for their recent successful operations against criminal elements in Kasese. “I want to congratulate the CDF and the army for crushing the bad elements in Kasese. They were defeated by a small group of soldiers — only 12 — who managed to overpower them. That comes from confidence and solid training,” he said. President Museveni concluded by congratulating the newly commissioned officers once again, urging them to carry forward the UPDF’s rich legacy of patriotism, sacrifice, and service to the people of Uganda and Africa. On his part, Gen. Muhoozi congratulated the newly commissioned officer cadets upon completing their training and urged them to uphold discipline, resilience, and professionalism throughout their careers. He praised the UPDF’s growing role in promoting peace and security across the African continent. “Your Excellency, we thank you for continually embracing the spirit of oneness and for your sacrifice to make Africa strong. Among the commissioned officers are soldiers from Somalia, Central African Republic, Tanzania, and Mali. This is testimony to UPDF’s continental contribution,” Gen. Muhoozi said. He also gave an update on the security situation and the ongoing peaceful political campaigns in the country, commending security forces for their vigilance and professionalism. “The campaigns are progressing well, and we thank the security forces for working around the clock to ensure a peaceful electoral process. We also commend the citizens for respecting the Electoral Commission guidelines,” he said. He, however, cautioned candidates against provoking security forces, warning that security will not be compromised in the name of politics. “The security of the country will not be compromised merely because a particular candidate is campaigning. It doesn’t work like that,” he warned. Gen. Muhoozi further briefed the gathering on a recent attempted attack on security installations in Bundibugyo, Kasese, and Fort Portal on November 1, 2025. “Confused elements armed mainly with machetes attempted to attack security posts. They were promptly repulsed by the UPDF and Uganda Police. Two attackers were put out of action,” he said. He thanked the residents of Kasese, Bundibugyo, and Fort Portal for rallying behind security forces during the incident, saying, “As the ancient Romans used to say — those who desire peace must prepare for war.” The Commandant of Kaweweta Training School, Brig. Gen. Otongo John Patrick, congratulated the 498 officer cadets, including 61 females, upon their successful completion of the course. He noted that the course not only trained them in military tactics but also in teamwork, resilience, and professionalism, preparing them for modern warfare. “Today’s event is more than just a commissioning ceremony — it is a demonstration of the quality and professionalism that defines the UPDF. The skills and discipline acquired here will serve these officers well in their service,” Brig. Gen. Otongo said. He thanked the UPDF leadership, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and the external facilitators who contributed to the training, for their continued guidance and support in professionalizing the forces.

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06 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WOOS BULAMBULI VOTERS, PLEDGES DIGNIFIED RESETTLEMENT FOR LANDSLIDE VICTIMS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assured landslide victims in Bulambuli District of a dignified and permanent resettlement, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting communities living in disaster-prone areas along the Mt. Elgon slopes. “The families are waiting to be resettled on 2,000 acres. Each family is to have two acres and 10 million shillings. And there is 50 billion shillings to buy more land. That’s the current arrangement,” H.E. Museveni said. The President, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, made the remarks today during a campaign rally at Nabbongo Secondary School playground in Bulambuli District. The pledge comes as part of an ongoing resettlement programme for victims of recurrent landslides that have ravaged the Mt. Elgon sub-region, especially in Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko, and Bulambuli districts. President Museveni reflected on the government’s longstanding policy of relocating people from dangerous mountainous areas, noting that it was driven by scientific and environmental concerns. He likened deforestation and unplanned settlement on steep slopes to “undressing Mother Nature,” a metaphor he said underscored the importance of conserving forests and vegetation cover. “When you see your mother naked, you’re already in danger,” President Museveni said. “We discouraged you from undressing Mother Nature through destroying forests and trees, which hold the soil together. Once you cut the trees, especially on steep land, the soil is washed away,” he emphasized. The President recalled visiting Nametsi village in Bududa District in March 2010 after a massive landslide buried the entire village, killing at least 365 people and displacing thousands. “I went myself to Nametsi in Bududa, where the whole village had been buried. It was terrible - as if the country had no people of knowledge. Now that people know the danger, we are going to work full steam to get people out of danger. The plan is to give people two acres plus ten million,” he assured. The 2010 Nametsi tragedy, Uganda’s deadliest landslide on record, affected several villages, including Kubewo and Namakansa. The disaster became a turning point in the government’s disaster management policy, prompting the establishment of the Bunambutye Resettlement Camp in Bulambuli District. The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Hilary Onek, who accompanied the President, said significant progress had been made in resettling victims. “Our ministry has managed to rescue those from the disaster area; most of them are now kept in the settlement camps waiting for relocation to land,” Hon. Onek said. “We have so far got 2,661 acres of land here, where we have started settling the families that are in the Bunambutye Resettlement Camp.Currently, we have 50 billion shillings to be used to buy more land to settle more families in Bulambutye.” The President said the relocation programme aims to prevent further loss of life by moving people before disasters reoccur. “The plan is to get out of danger before time. There are certain parts of the mountains where people should not settle. It is dangerous for them, for the future, and for the country.” Turning to economic empowerment, Museveni said Bulambuli would benefit from the ongoing national cattle restocking programme. He said Families in Lango, Teso, and Acholi are going to be supported with five cattle each to restock, and it would therefore be unfair to leave out Bulambuli and Ngenge in Kween. “It is therefore fair not to leave out Bulambuli and Ngenge in Kween. Not all parts of Bugisu and Sebei, but some parts that we know will be treated the same way,” he said, further promising to engage the government to ensure that the affected sub-counties in Bulambuli and Kween districts are handled the same way as those in Lango, Teso, and Acholi. NRM Manifesto Commitments: President Museveni used the occasion to outline key achievements of the NRM government and to explain the core pillars of the 2026–2031 NRM Manifesto, which he said builds on the party’s seven major contributions over the last 40 years - peace, development, and wealth creation being central among them. “You people of Bulambuli are witnesses of peace,” President Museveni said. “I remember there was a woman councillor of Mbale District, Rose Muloni—later Minister Irene Muloni’s sister, who told me about the suffering caused by cattle rustlers. But all that is now history.” The President emphasized that peace had created the foundation for development, noting major infrastructure projects in the region. “The road from Mbale all the way to Karamoja is now tarmacked. The road from Kapchorwa is also tarmacked,” he said. “For Bulambuli, you don’t have good marram roads because of volcanic soils,” President Museveni added, saying that he suggested long ago “that we bring stones from Karuma power station to make your roads better.” President Museveni also highlighted progress in education and health infrastructure, promising that all parishes without government primary schools and all sub-counties without government secondary schools would be catered for. According to government data, Bulambuli District has 54 government primary schools and 71 private primary schools, alongside 12 government secondary schools and 6 private secondary schools. The district’s 123 parishes host only 54 government primary schools, leaving 69 parishes without one. President Museveni said the government was addressing this gap through the construction of three new secondary schools, which will reduce sub-counties without government secondary schools from 14 to 11. “Similarly, sub-counties without government secondary schools will get one. The policy is clear - one government primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county,” he said. He further reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen the health sector by upgrading and constructing new health facilities. Bulambuli currently has one Health Centre IV and 17 Health Centre IIIs out of 26 sub-counties. Eight sub-counties still lack any form of health facility. President Museveni said the government plans to upgrade and build additional health units to fill these gaps. Proposed upgrades include Atari HCII to HCIII in Bumufuni Sub-county, Bugudoi HCII to HCIII in Soti Sub-county, and Nabiwutulu HCII to HCIII in Nabiwutulu Sub-county, as well as the construction of new HCIIIs in Buyaga Town Council, Bufumbo, Bulegeni, Muyembe, and Bunalwere Sub-counties. “We need a Health Centre IV per constituency and a Health Centre III per sub-county,” he said. “All the above are in our manifesto.” Wealth Creation: President Museveni reminded residents to distinguish between development, which benefits everyone, and wealth, which is personal and family-based. “Development like roads and electricity is for all of us, but wealth is mine as an individual or a family,” he said. “It is dangerous for people to emphasize development and forget wealth.” He cited government programmes such as Entandikwa, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM) as channels for promoting household prosperity. Bulambuli District has so far received Shs 37.7 billion under PDM, of which 99.8% has been disbursed to 38,846 beneficiary households out of 55,103 total households, representing 70.5% coverage. “The remaining 29.5% of households will also be reached,” President Museveni assured. “The aim is for every household to join the money economy.” The Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among, who hails from neighboring Bukedea District, called upon residents to vote for President Museveni, praising his legacy of peace and inclusive leadership. “We have brought you a candidate who believes in politics of interest, not of identity,” she said. “He is a national leader who listens to everyone in Uganda and solves their problems. Your Excellency, you are the hope of the people—you brought these people from despair to hope.” She also addressed concerns about compensation for landslide victims, promising to oversee verification to ensure fairness. “Some people were paid and others were not. We are going to verify the numbers to ensure those who were not paid receive their compensation,” she said. Speaker Among highlighted that the Acomai Irrigation Scheme, commissioned by the President a day earlier, is a symbol of the government’s investment in the region. The scheme serves both Bulambuli and Bukedea Districts, linking the Bugisu and Teso sub-regions. Mr. Echodu Calvin, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, thanked the President for his visit and urged affirmative action for Bulambuli, citing its history of cattle rustling and natural disasters. Mr. Kimamati Paul Michael, the NRM Chairperson for Bulambuli District, lauded government achievements, estimating that Bulambuli has benefited from Shs 180 billion in government support over the past five years. However, he also presented key demands, including: the upgrading of Muyembe Health Centre IV to a district hospital, elevating Bunyanya HCIII to HCIV, and upgrading six other Health Centre IIs to HCIIIs. He also called for the establishment of Bugisu University in Mbale to serve the broader Elgon sub-region. Bulambuli’s Electoral Record: Bulambuli District has 26 sub-counties and town councils, 123 parishes, and 1,313 villages, with a population of 235,391, according to the 2024 census. In the 2021 presidential election, the district had 71,664 registered voters, of whom 52,560 (73.3%) cast their ballots. President Museveni garnered 38,972 votes (76.4%), while the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate received 10,788 votes (21.1%). For the upcoming election, 79,699 voters are registered across 257 polling stations, an increase of 8,035 voters and 12 stations since 2021. The event was also attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, and NRM flag bearers from across the region.

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06 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HIGHLIGHTS NRM ACHIEVEMENTS AS HE CAMPAIGNS IN MANAFWA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today held his second campaign rally in the Bugisu Sub-region at Bugobero High School, Bugobero Town Council in Manafwa District, where he presented the achievements and ongoing commitments of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Government as outlined in the party’s manifesto. Addressing a large and enthusiastic crowd, President Museveni said he had come together with NRM leaders to present the seven key contributions the movement has made to Uganda since 1986. “I am here with the NRM leaders to present to you the NRM manifesto. This manifesto highlights seven major contributions the NRM has made to Uganda since 1986,” he said. The President said the first contribution of the NRM was peace and stability, which he emphasized was not easy to achieve. “That peace you hear people talking about was not easy to bring. We were able to achieve it because we rejected sectarian politics of tribes and religion. When we recruit people into the army, we don’t mind about tribe or religion. That is why we have been able to build strong national institutions like the army, police, and others,” he explained. He said the second contribution of the NRM has been development, which has two main parts — economic infrastructure such as electricity, roads, and telecommunication, and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. On education, the President noted that Manafwa District has 61 Government primary schools and 10 Government secondary schools, with ongoing efforts to ensure that every parish has at least one primary school and every sub-county has a secondary school. “There are parishes without Government primary schools and sub-counties without Government secondary schools. The plan is to make sure all these areas are covered so that every child can easily access education,” he said. The President said the Government is also constructing six (6) new Seed Secondary Schools in Manafwa District, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without Government secondary schools from 23 to 17 once completed. He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting free education in Government schools, adding that the system was introduced in 1996 but has been frustrated by some head teachers who charge illegal fees. “We started free education in 1996, but head teachers have been sabotaging it. That is why I introduced the skilling hubs to show that free education is possible. You have seen the testimonies — children who had dropped out of school now have skills in tailoring, bakery, and other trades and are doing well,” he noted. On the health sector, the President said Manafwa District currently has two (2) Health Centre IVs and four (4) Health Centre IIIs, leaving 26 sub-counties without a government health facility. “To address this, Government plans to upgrade Ikaali Health Centre II to Health Centre III and construct new Health Centre IIIs in several sub-counties and town councils including Masaka, Buwangani, Buyinza, Buwaya, Butta, Khabutoola, Bukoma, Sibanga, Nalondo, Bugobero, Nangalwe, Kimaluli, Buwagogo, Weswa, Butoto, Bukusu, Bunabutsale, Sisuni, Bunabwana, Makenya, Maefe, Butiru, Mayanza, Busukuya, and Bukhadala,” he said. He added that ongoing projects include completion of staff houses at Bukewa HCIII and renovation of the Outpatient Department (OPD) at Ikaali HCII. The Government, he said, will continue with immunization programs, equip all Government health units, and construct more staff houses for health workers. On water and sanitation, President Museveni revealed that Manafwa District now has 1,262 out of 1,309 villages with access to safe water, representing 96% coverage — one of the highest in the country. “Only 47 villages remain without access to safe water. We have constructed new piped water systems in Bubwaya, Majali, Lwakhakha, Buyinza, Butiru, Bubutu, and Bumbo, providing safe water to tens of thousands of people,” the President said. He added that additional boreholes have been drilled and rehabilitated, and several piped water projects are ongoing, including the Manafwa Town Council Water Supply System, which is already 76% complete. The President also highlighted another contribution of the NRM as wealth creation, which he said must go hand-in-hand with development. “You people here in Bugobero have a good tarmac road, but you do not sleep on tarmac,” he said. “When you go home, the poverty you left in the morning is still there. This is why we say that talking about development alone without talking about wealth creation is not good. Wealth creation is through commercial agriculture using the four-acre model — even two acres can work if you do at least one of the seven activities in the model.” He also clarified that jobs originate from wealth creation and not from government employment. “There is another confusion people have — that jobs come from the government. Jobs come from commercial agriculture and industrialization,” he emphasized. President Museveni said Manafwa will soon benefit from the establishment of the Manafwa Industrial Park, citing the availability of minerals such as vermiculite and iron ore which will support industrial growth and create jobs for the youth. He concluded his speech by summarizing his message for the day: “My words for today are five — peace, development, wealth, jobs, and free education in Government schools.” The NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (female), Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, who also serves as Speaker of Parliament, thanked the President for the continued development in Manafwa District, including tarmac roads, water systems, and education programs. The NRM Chairperson for Manafwa District, Mr. Wolimbwa Charles Peke hailed President Museveni for his visionary leadership and thanked him for supporting the Parish Development Model (PDM), which he said is transforming the lives of people in the district. “Manafwa has fully embraced the PDM. Out of Shs.47.8 billion allocated, over 99% has already been disbursed to nearly 48,000 beneficiary households,” he reported, assuring the President of overwhelming support from the district.

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05 November 2025

SIRONKO: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI KICKS-OFF CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN BUGISU, HIGHLIGHTS KEY NRM ACHIEVEMENTS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the Presidential flag bearer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), today began his campaign trail in the Bugisu sub-region, starting with a grand rally in Sironko District. Before crossing to Bugisu, he concluded his campaign trail in Teso sub-region, ending with Bukedea district. The campaign is running under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, As We Make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”. Addressing thousands of supporters, President Museveni thanked the people of Sironko for their continued backing of the NRM and urged them to support all party flag bearers. “Peace was not easy to achieve, the NRM worked tirelessly for many years, guided by our ideology and a commitment to avoid sectarianism. All the development you see in Sironko today has been brought by the NRM,” President Museveni said. He highlighted key infrastructure projects completed under the NRM government, including roads linking Mbale to Kapchorwa and Karamoja, as well as the Bumbobi-Lwakhakha road. President Museveni also announced plans to work on the Namagumba–Budadiri–Nalugugu road. On water access, President Museveni reported that out of 1,543 rural villages in Sironko, 1,374 (89%) now have safe water. A total of 24 additional piped water supply and sanitation systems are operational across the district. These include; Mutufu Town Board WSS (6,694 residents), Buteza WSS (5,400 residents), Pato WSS (4,680 residents), Buwalasi GFS (13,683 residents), Buginyanya WSS (16,330 residents), among others. Plans are underway to expand coverage to the remaining 169 villages without access to safe water and to construct the flagship Nasumati Piped Water Supply and Sanitation System. On Education, President Museveni said that Sironko District has 224 parishes, of which 98 have at least one government primary school, while 126 still lack schools. There are currently 111 government primary schools serving 98,962 pupils, and 12 government secondary schools with 10,660 students. The President pledged that each parish will eventually have a government primary school, and every sub-county will host a secondary school, noting that plans are also underway to construct three new secondary seed schools through the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP). On health, President Museveni noted that in Sironko’s 42 sub-counties, 2 have Health Centre IV facilities, 18 have Health Centre III facilities, while 22 sub-counties currently lack health facilities of HCIII or above. The government plans to upgrade several HCII facilities to HCIII, including Bubbeza, Buyaya, Kyesha, Bugusege, and Nampanga. Additional HCIIIs are planned for Buhungu, Bukyabo, Bumalimba, and other sub-counties, alongside measures to eradicate malaria, improve immunization coverage, and equip health units with necessary diagnostic tools. President Museveni highlighted government initiatives that have boosted agricultural productivity, particularly in coffee, bananas, and milk. He emphasized that the NRM, through initiatives such as research and development at Kawanda Agricultural Research Center, has modernized coffee production in Uganda, improving quality and productivity. As a result, coffee prices have risen, influenced by the global market forces, countering claims that the achievements were brought by certain individuals. Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga: Under the PDM, Sironko’s 224 parishes have received a cumulative Shs. 68.99 billion, with 98.63% disbursed to 66,809 households. The district also has 36 Emyooga SACCOs with 18,821 members, who have received Shs. 1.54 billion in support. The President pledged continued investment in education, healthcare, water, roads, and agricultural development. He also emphasized skills development through the Presidential Industrial Hubs, noting that the Bugisu region hub in Mbale has already trained 1,167 youth in trades such as welding, carpentry, tailoring, hairdressing, and bakery. The President also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Sironko District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections. NRM leaders, including Eastern Region Vice Chairman Hon. Calvin Echodu and Sironko District NRM Chairperson Mr. Lumolo Mafabi, welcomed the President, highlighting the party’s successes in the 2021 elections and the need to upgrade the district hospital. The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

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05 November 2025

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES FARMERS TO GROW RICE SAFELY AS HE COMMISSIONS SHS71 BILLION ACHOMAI IRRIGATION SCHEME

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today commissioned a Shs71 billion Achomai Irrigation Scheme in Kamutur Sub-county, Bukedea District, with a call to farmers to embrace irrigation-based rice growing on dry land rather than wetlands, in order to safeguard the environment while increasing agricultural productivity. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony attended by local leaders, residents, and government officials, the President expressed delight over the project’s completion, describing it as a significant step towards agricultural modernization and water management in the Teso and Bugisu sub-regions. “I’m very happy to be here to commission this Achomai irrigation scheme,” President Museveni said. “I don’t eat rice myself; I eat cassava and bananas and our indigenous foods, but some of our people eat rice, so it’s good to grow it, but grow it safely, not in the swamp. You should take water from the swamp to the dry land and then irrigate,” H.E. Museveni added. He cautioned farmers against cultivating rice in wetlands, explaining that such practices destroy the ecosystem and interfere with nature’s balance. “I don’t want rice in the swamp (Osamai). I want it in the Aroo (dry land), and then you irrigate. That is good because you’re now helping God to make rain. You’re creating rain in months when God is not bringing it. That is healthy and very good,” he emphasized. The President underscored the dual benefits of irrigation - boosting yields and taming floods, through effective water capture and management systems. “When you irrigate, you yield and produce more per hectare, but there is also another element of taming the floods and water from destroying everything. When you make a dam, you capture water from the surface and retain it somewhere, and then you can use it by pumping when you want,” he said. According to President Museveni, the Achomai Irrigation Scheme symbolizes the government’s broader strategy of transforming subsistence farming into commercial agriculture by enhancing productivity per acre through technology and infrastructure. “The result of all this is increased production from the same land, but you harvest more,” he said. The Speaker of Parliament and Woman Member of Parliament for Bukedea District, Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among hailed President Museveni for fulfilling his development pledge to the people of Bukedea, describing the project as a dream turned into reality. “These people are excited to see you, Your Excellency,” she said. “Before you brought this dam here, I used to think it was a myth. Now I’m seeing it in reality. This place used to flood, but now we have a fully-fledged irrigation scheme serving nine villages - seven from Bukedea and two from Bulambuli. I want to thank you for also working on the road, which now makes it easy for us to cross into Bulambuli. These are the gains we are protecting,” she added. Rt. Hon. Among, who launched the construction of the project on December 18, 2021, by then as the Deputy Speaker, praised the contractor, Dott Services Limited, for delivering quality work. “They’ve done a very good job. You’ve commissioned the Achomai Irrigation Scheme and the breeding center that’s just in the next village. As the people of Bukedea, we thank you,” she said, adding that the President’s visit had turned the day into a “public holiday” for the district. Engineer Athanasius Ssebugwawo, the Contract Manager for the Achomai Irrigation Scheme, explained that the project was implemented under the Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme (AVCP), a government initiative supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The program aims to improve access to water for agricultural production, boost productivity, and enhance post-harvest handling and value addition. He revealed that before the project’s inception, Achomai and the surrounding areas faced extreme climatic conditions - droughts during dry seasons and severe floods during rainy seasons due to their low-lying terrain. “During the dry season, it would experience the worst droughts; we could hardly see anything green. And during the rainy season, it would flood, and the area was hardly inhabitable,” Eng. Ssebugwawo said. He noted that with the project’s completion, the community’s fortunes had changed dramatically, and the issue of excess floods is history. “People now produce different crops throughout the year, and livelihoods have improved,” he said. According to the engineer, more than 1,800 acres were planted and harvested in the last season, with projections to expand to 2,000 acres in the next planting cycle. “People now have the right to plant whichever kind of crop they want,” Eng. Ssebugwawo explained. The Achomai Irrigation Scheme sits on approximately 2,200 hectares in Achomai Village, Kamutur Sub-county, Bukedea District, and extends into neighboring Bulambuli District. It includes key facilities such as an administration block, two drying yards, a warehouse, workshop, bridge, and 58 kilometers of access roads. The Shs71 billion ($19.9 million) investment was jointly funded by the Government of Uganda and the African Development Bank, and is part of the national agenda to enhance the agricultural value chain, from production to processing and market access. The commissioning of the Achomai Irrigation Scheme came as President Museveni wrapped up his Teso sub-region tour and began his campaign rallies in the Bugisu sub-region ahead of the 2026 general elections, where he is the Presidential flagbearer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Throughout the tour, the President has emphasized irrigation and value addition as key pillars of his vision to transition Uganda from a peasant to a middle-income economy.

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