PRESIDENT MUSEVENI UNVEILS INDIVIDUALIZED WATER PLAN FOR WEALTH CREATORS IN KARAMOJA, PLEDGES MORE ROADS, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has unveiled a new government initiative to establish individualized water systems aimed at supporting commercial farmers and small-scale producers, as part of a broader effort to eradicate poverty through wealth creation and self-sufficiency. Addressing thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Kalas Girls Primary School in Amudat District, Karamoja Sub-region, on Tuesday 28th October, 2025, H.E. Museveni said the government was developing a plan to ensure every productive household has access to reliable water for production, a move he said would mark a turning point in Uganda’s rural transformation strategy. “We are working out a plan for water for rural areas. Apart from the valley dams, people need water at each home,” President Museveni said. “The communal water systems will not address their water problem. We are trying to analyze how we can provide individualized water for wealth creators. In the Ankole area, we no longer use those communal dams. If you come to Rwakitura, you will see I have three of my own dams because animals, when they go too far, they get diseases like ticks,” he added. The new policy seeks to end decades of dependency on shared water facilities in semi-arid regions like Karamoja, where boreholes and valley dams are often overstretched or dry up during prolonged droughts. “Borehole water is still very low at 18%. The Minister of Karamoja must find out what the problem is, because in other districts like Abim and Karenga, the percentage is much higher,” President Museveni said. Government data indicates that only 18% of Amudat District’s 415 villages currently have access to safe water, leaving 81.7% without a clean source. Of the existing water-for-production infrastructure, one solar-powered irrigation system has been completed at Katotin, 12 valley tanks have been constructed, and two wind-powered abstraction systems have been installed. Major recent projects include the Kosike Valley Dam, with a capacity of 2.7 billion litres, and the Kaechom Valley Dam, which holds 1.8 billion litres. Ongoing projects include additional solar-powered irrigation systems and a large valley tank under construction. The Lowoyakur Dam, shared with Nakapiripirit, will hold 1.4 billion litres of water once completed. Peace as the foundation of development: Throughout his address, President Museveni emphasized that peace, the first of seven core achievements highlighted in the NRM’s 2026–2031 manifesto, remains the cornerstone of Uganda’s development. “If you want to know that miracles are possible in Africa, come to Karamoja and come to Amudat. I thank God for making me somehow connected to that miracle,” President Museveni said, while revisiting Uganda’s turbulent past. He explained how the National Resistance Movement (NRM) restored peace and national unity after decades of instability, where, before 1986, Uganda’s electoral and administrative systems were poorly aligned, leading to marginalization in areas like Karamoja. “Before the coming into power of NRM, there were no permanent constituencies. They would just make ad hoc constituencies to favor certain parties. In 1989, we decided that each constituency must be equal to a county. At that time, there were 149 counties in the whole of Uganda, and something called Upe was one of them with a population of only 20,000. Some of the counties in the south, like Bukoto, had 360,000 people. But we said that for now, let’s start with the counties, and that’s how Upe became a constituency,” President Museveni said. He highlighted Amudat’s recognition as a district stemming from the government’s respect for cultural and linguistic diversity. “These people are Pokot, and their language is different from Karamojong. Let them have their district and speak their Pokot language there. When I come today and see that the population of Amudat has grown to 203,000, I say this is a miracle,” President Museveni said. Disarmament and border security: President Museveni credited Uganda’s peace to firm decisions such as the disarmament of Karamojong warriors in the early 2000s. He dismissed arguments that communities in Karamoja and neighboring Turkana, Pokot, or Toposa areas should be allowed to keep guns to “balance terror.” “Some said if Karamojong and Turkana both stay with guns, they will stabilize by killing each other. But why have a government if people must protect themselves?” he asked. “And this was a false argument because, like in West Nile, there’s peace, despite the wars in South Sudan and Congo, West Nile is peaceful. Even Kasese and Bundibugyo are peaceful, yet there are wars in Eastern DRC. So, that’s when I insisted that you bring the guns; I will protect you against the Pokot of Kenya, Turkana of Kenya, and others,” President Museveni added, noting that when the Turkana killed three people, including surveyors, he banned them from grazing in Uganda. President Museveni said he had since raised the issue with Kenya’s President William Ruto, demanding that the Kenyan government compensate the victims’ families. “I could not accept this impunity of criminality. I told President Ruto that if these criminals don’t have money, the Kenyan government must pay. I will perform a ceremony in Karamoja here with President Ruto for the Kenyan government to pay for the lives of our officers who died,” President Museveni said, adding that the ceremony will also attract elders to cleanse the blood of the people who died, and the bishops and the sheikhs will also come in and contribute spiritually. Turning to infrastructure, President Museveni vowed to ensure all major roads in Karamoja remain passable year-round. “I have warned the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Local Government that I don’t want to hear of a major road that is impassable. It may not be tarmac, but it must be motorable all the time,” he said. Recent road achievements in Karamoja include 180.4 km of newly paved roads, such as Nadunget–Iriiri (65.6 km), Kokeris–Matany (5.5 km), Namalu–Nakapiripirit (17 km), and Akisim–Moroto–Lokitanyala (92.3 km). Currently under construction are the Moroto–Lokitanyala (42 km) and Muyembe–Nakapiripirit (92 km) roads. Several other routes are under procurement, including Kaabong–Kapedo–Karenga (67 km) and Kotido–Kaabong (64 km), while the Moroto–Tochi–Atiang–Opit–Awo (94 km) and Kotido–Abim–Aloi–Lira (99 km) roads are under design. President Museveni said the government would also tarmac the Nakapiripirit–Amudat road, a key artery for trade and connectivity in the region. President Museveni reaffirmed the NRM government’s commitment to universal access to education, saying the ultimate goal is to ensure one primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county. Currently, Amudat District has 27 government primary schools, 8 private primary schools, 2 government secondary schools, and 1 private secondary school. Out of 44 parishes, only 11 host at least one government primary school. However, three new Seed Secondary Schools are under construction, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school from 9 to 6. The President said he intends to abolish the practice of charging fees in government schools, calling it an injustice against poor families. “When we introduced UPE in 1996, we wanted children to study for free. But school managers started bringing money again,” he said, adding that in the coming government, he would like to stop the charging of fees in government schools. In the health sector, President Museveni noted that Amudat District currently has one Health Centre IV and three Health Centre IIIs, leaving seven sub-counties without any health facility. To close this gap, the government plans to upgrade and construct several facilities, including: Upgrading Karita HCIV to a General Hospital, upgrading Abilyep HCII, Achorichor HCII, Amudat HCII, Cheptapoyo HCII, and Lokales HCII to HCIIIs and constructing new HCIIIs in Karita and Kongoro sub-counties. Ongoing works include the upgrading of Katabok HCII to HCIII, Karita HCIII to HCIV, and the construction of an operating theatre at Amudat General Hospital. President Museveni used the rally to reinforce his message of wealth creation, urging residents to use the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other government programs to lift themselves out of poverty. He played video testimonials of beneficiaries who have prospered under the PDM, including: George Matongo, a livestock farmer in Ngoma; Dick Korea Ogila, a mango farmer from Abim earning over Shs6 million per harvest; Amos Losengole, a goat farmer from Amudat who invested his Shs1 million PDM fund wisely; and Emmanuel Lokong, a piggery farmer from Nakapiripirit. President Museveni said the government would soon provide vehicles to cooperatives to help farmers transport goods to urban markets. Amudat District has so far received Shs13.49 billion under the PDM, of which Shs13.1 billion (97.2%) has been disbursed to 12,118 households, about 28.6% of the district’s 42,310 households. “We shall support cooperatives with group transport to access Kampala markets,” H.E. Museveni pledged. President Museveni told residents that Uganda’s transformation from instability to peace and development over the last 40 years is a testament to the NRM’s resilience. “Now we have peace not only in Karamoja but also in Acholi, West Nile, the Rwenzori, and Kisoro. There’s peace everywhere,” he said. He urged voters to defend the gains made under the NRM government by ensuring continued support for the party in the upcoming 2026 elections. “If anybody asks you why you support NRM, tell them that in our manifesto of 2026–2031, peace is our first contribution. It is the foundation upon which everything else stands,” President Museveni said. First Lady Janet Museveni calls for 100% NRM vote: The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, also addressed the rally, commending the people of Amudat and Karamoja for their steadfast support of the NRM. “The NRM government is your government. It has worked so hard to make sure that Karamoja is peaceful, like any other part of Uganda. Please make it a responsibility to make sure that everybody votes for NRM so that we protect the gains so far and take a qualitative leap into the middle-income status for the whole of Karamoja and Uganda,” The First Lady said, adding that this would enable all the programs in the pipeline to be implemented in the next term of office. “Therefore, I trust that even this time, you’ll make sure that Amudat will vote 100% for the President and the whole lineup of NRM flagbearers,” she added. Amudat District, with a population of 203,358 people, had 43,647 registered voters in the 2021 elections. Of these, 31,453 (72.1%) voted, and President Museveni secured 30,451 votes (97.6%), while the National Unity Platform (NUP) polled 625 votes (2%). As of 2025, registered voters in the district have risen to 58,203, and the number of polling stations has increased from 120 to 164. The event was also addressed by several senior leaders, including Speaker of Parliament and Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, NRM Vice Chairperson for Karamoja, Hon. John Baptist Loki, and NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, who urged residents to maintain their loyalty to the ruling party and consolidate the progress achieved under President Museveni’s leadership.

2025-11-28

KARAMOJA PEACE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY PROJECT

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2025-11-20

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

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

2025-11-19

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CAMPAIGNS IN BUYENDE, REMINDS YOUTH OF NRM’S CULTURE OF DISCIPLINE AND HARD-WORK

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer, has called on the young people in the party to embrace the NRM culture of discipline, hard work and results. President Museveni noted that it is this spirit that has built Uganda over the last four decades. Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President made the remarks today during a campaign rally at Kagulu Primary School Grounds in Buyende District. He emphasized that the NRM’s strength lies in its consistency. “NRM is a serious movement. You, the young members, should copy the culture of the NRM, the party of doers and determined people. Because of that determination, we have laid seven bricks on the house of Uganda,” he said. He reminded the supporters of Buyende’s history as a refuge area for people fleeing insecurity in Teso during the turbulent years. “People ran from Teso to this area because of rebels and cattle rustlers supported by foreign groups. But NRM defeated all of them because we follow politics of interests, not politics of identity,” he said. He urged residents to reflect on why peace eluded previous governments and why many African countries still struggle with it. “Once you understand that, you will know the value of the NRM,” he added. The President outlined ongoing and planned development projects in Buyende, noting that although not everything is complete, progress is steady. He confirmed government funding for the 127km Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu road and announced that the Kamuli–Igingo–Kaliro road has now been added to the national plan. On education, he revealed that Buyende has 92 government primary schools against 73 parishes but warned leaders about poor distribution. “Some parishes have more than one school while 36 parishes have none. Be strict about this,” he said. For secondary education, the district has 6 government secondary schools across 14 sub-counties. The government is constructing one Seed Secondary School, which will reduce the sub-counties without a government secondary school from eight to seven. On health, President Museveni outlined major upgrades including upgrading Kagulu HCII, Nkoone HCII, and Ngandho HCII to HCIII, construction of new HCIIIs in Gumpi, Buyanja, and Kidera. He noted that the district also has two HCIVs, each with a doctor. President Museveni once again cautioned Ugandans against confusing development with wealth. “Development is for all of us, but wealth is personal. Wealth is created in four sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT,” he noted. He encouraged Buyende residents to embrace the Four-Acre Model and praised regions like Karamoja for adopting commercial agriculture. President Museveni said the government will continue supporting households through the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and new targeted funds for youth, ghetto groups, cultural leaders, boda bodas and unemployed graduates. The President further highlighted Uganda’s production boom; coffee rising from 3 million to 12 million bags, milk production growing from 200 million litres to 5.3 billion litres and similar growth in maize and other crops. “What I want is everyone to join the money economy,” he said. President Museveni also dismissed the belief that the government should employ everyone. “Government jobs are 480,000. We are 50 million Ugandans. Real jobs come from factories, commercial agriculture, services and ICT. Factories now employ 1.3 million Ugandans, three times more than the government.” He also expressed frustration with the resistance to free education. “We introduced free education in 1996, but some head teachers and PTAs blocked children because of fees. That’s why I started the Presidential Skilling Hubs,” he said. The President also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Buyende District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections. On her part, Maama Janet called on Ugandans to take personal responsibility in protecting the peace and unity that the country has enjoyed under the NRM government. Maama Janet said Uganda’s painful history should remind citizens that peace must never be taken for granted. “My first prayer is that the people of Uganda take responsibility for protecting the unity of our country,” she said. “Uganda suffered for a long time, but by God’s grace He brought us together, gave us the NRM government, and restored peace and unity. Now it is our duty as Ugandans to preserve this peace so that our country can continue moving forward.” She appealed to voters to make a deliberate choice for stability in the upcoming elections. “Let us ensure to see that our children may have the freedom to walk in this land knowing that there is peace for every family, that is why, when voting day comes, every Ugandan of voting age must go and vote for the President of the NRM and NRM leaders,” she appealed. “Thank you Buyende for standing strong. May we continue standing as one nation under God, building a united and strong Uganda. God bless Buyende, God bless Busoga and God bless Uganda.” The NRM First National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Moses Kigongo, praised the people of Buyende for their support and commended the First Lady for her devotion to the President and the country. “Thank you Maama for staying with Mzee, supporting him and energizing him,” he said. Alhaji Kigongo emphasized that the NRM’s longevity in power has been rooted in discipline and unity. “What has kept us in leadership up to today is the discipline we carried from the bush. That discipline must be maintained. As leaders we must be exemplary and united as one movement,” he said. He urged Buyende residents to support NRM candidates at all levels, from the national chairman to the grassroots. “Whoever is carrying our flag, support them,” he added, noting that the party remains committed to protecting the peace established during the liberation struggle. Rt. Hon. Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice chairperson also pledged overwhelming support from the district. “We pledge to you 98% of the votes in Buyende,” she said, praising President Museveni for promoting politics of ideology, not interests. She also thanked Maama Janet for her continued prayers for peace in Uganda. The Minister for Presidency and NRM parliamentary flag bearer for Budiope West, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda commended President Museveni for the visionary leadership and development programs in Buyende. She also requested the people of Buyende to overwhelmingly vote for President Museveni and other party flag bearers in the forthcoming elections. The Budiope East MP, Hon. Moses Magogo, thanked President Museveni for the transformation Buyende has experienced since attaining district status in 2010. “Thank you, Your Excellency, for your wise leadership. You turned Buyende into a district, and today the population stands at 403,486,” he said. Hon. Magogo noted that the extension of electricity to the district changed lives. “You reminded us about the national grid and you delivered it. What we once thought was a dream is now a reality,” he said. He added that Buyende has become a safe home for people displaced by the Teso conflicts in the past. “People have settled here, integrated and are progressing,” he said, also thanking the President for making Uganda safe enough that “one can move from one district to another at any time.” Hon. Magogo appealed for inclusion in the livestock restocking programme following years of cattle rustling and thanked the President for acting on his request to upgrade Kamuli–Kaliro Road. “You wrote to the Ministry of Transport, and we are hopeful because the road is already planned for works,” he said. Buyende's progress: Buyende, a district of 14 sub-counties and 73 parishes, is one of the areas heavily impacted by government development programmes especially the Parish Development Model, education investments, water infrastructure and electricity extension. The district has so far received Shs 22.38 billion under the PDM, with 99.92% already disbursed to 22,461 beneficiary households. Buyende has 83,497 households, meaning 26.9% have already received PDM funds. Under Emyooga, the district has 36 SACCOs with 10,705 members, which have collectively received Shs 1.39bn to boost enterprise growth. Out of the 14 sub-counties, Buyende currently has 2 HCIVs and 6 HCIIIs, leaving 6 sub-counties without any health facility. The government plans to upgrade Kagulu, Nkoone and Ngandho HCIIs to HCIII status and construct new HCIIIs in Gumpi, Buyanja and Kidera. On water, safe water access stands at 54.9%, with 300 out of 546 villages having a reliable source. Key achievements include 72 boreholes drilled, multiple piped-water systems completed in Buyende TC, Irundu, Bukungu and Lyingo, solar-powered water system in Magogo Village and ongoing drilling of 12 new boreholes and construction of more piped systems. Plans are underway to build water systems in Iringo, Bugaya and Kidera, plus medium-scale irrigation schemes in Nakawa A and Ngole. It is also important to note that Buyende District is now fully connected to the national electricity grid, enabling business growth and improving living standards. The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

2025-11-18

PRESS BRIEFING AHEAD OF NATIONAL HIV AIDS SYMPOSIUM AND WORLD AIDS DAY

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2025-11-18

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI RALLIES BUGWERI AS BUSOGA PLEDGES RENEWED SUPPORT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Presidential flag bearer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) today held a massive rally at Kyabazinga Grounds in Bugweri District, marking his second stop in the Busoga region as the NRM campaigns intensify ahead of the 2026 general elections. Accompanied by the First Lady and the Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, President Museveni revisited his early days of resistance against Idi Amin to achieve peace, which is NRM’s first and most prized achievement. “I was here in 1973, fighting Idi Amin with Engineer Kasadha. We went to Mayuge and later to Jinja. I salute the families in Busoga who worked with us in fighting Idi Amin,” he said, drawing applause as he recognized historical figures and victims from the region. He invoked the memories of Busoga sons who suffered during the dark political years, including Hajji Balunywa, Shaban Nkuutu, Nkooto, Ntale, and others who were killed or forced into exile, such as Waluma, Kasadha, Kibedi, and Mbigiti. “In the last 40 years, we have had seven contributions to Uganda, and the first one is peace. You know what lack of peace means and how many people died,” he said. “Therefore, the NRM in the last 40 years has been able to bring peace to Uganda.” Development in Bugweri: The NRM candidate reassured residents that he is aware of the gaps in Bugweri, especially its lack of adequate road equipment due to its status as a relatively new district. “Your district does not have enough road equipment. I’m going to sort that one out. I got a lot of equipment from Japan to ensure every district has what it takes to maintain its roads,” President Museveni said. He cited ongoing and completed road works such as Nawangisa–Buseesa–Nakivumbi–Ndongwe–Iganga and promised to personally follow up on the less familiar routes presented to him. District leaders later reinforced this demand, including calls for the tarmacking of Nawangisa–Nakivumbi with a spur to Iganga and Mayuge. In the water sector, Bugweri District, according to President Museveni, now boasts 84% safe water coverage, with 124 out of 147 villages having access to clean water. “These investments have strengthened water security and sanitation, especially in schools and trading centers,” he said, highlighting that the district is nearing full water coverage. Regarding electricity, President Museveni highlighted the NRM’s electricity rollout plan, where power first reaches district headquarters, then sub-counties, and finally villages. He noted that more sub-counties in Bugweri are now connected to power, signaling progress. “If you see power in the sub-counties, know that everything is going on well,” he said. On education, President Museveni noted that Bugweri District has 54 government primary schools serving 46,876 pupils and 193 private primary schools, along with 7 government secondary schools enrolling 6,784 students and 50 private secondary schools. President Museveni, however, expressed concern that despite having 37 parishes, 11 have no government primary school, while others have multiple. “This one, please sort it out as leaders,” he warned, reminding them that national policy requires one government primary school per parish and one government secondary school per sub-county. Bugweri’s 8 sub-counties currently have 5 government secondary schools, but the ongoing construction of 2 Seed Secondary Schools will ensure each sub-county has one. President Museveni strongly criticized school administrators, PTAs, and foundation bodies for charging illegal fees in government schools, which he said was the leading cause of dropouts. “That’s why I started skilling hubs where I give free education to my children.” For Bugweri, the Presidential Skilling Hub is located in Jinja City, offering hands-on skilling in carpentry, tailoring, welding, baking, construction, plumbing, electrical work, automotive mechanics, and weaving. So far, 961 youth from Busoga have been trained, with the current intake of 240 undergoing training. Namukwaya Salima, from Bugombe, narrated how she dropped out after Senior Four due to the inability to pay fees. After enrolling in tailoring at the skilling hub, she borrowed 80,000 shillings and started making children’s dresses. “Now I’m not on the streets begging or doing prostitution,” she said, drawing applause and emotional reactions across the crowd. Subiri Saleh, from Makuutu in Kasozi Parish, said bakery skills from the hub transformed his life. He earns about 20,000 shillings a day in profit, approximately 600,000 shillings monthly. “I have also taught others how to do what I’m doing,” he proudly said. President Museveni commended the young people and used their testimonies to challenge leaders. “When God gives you the chance to lead, you should be very careful,” he said. “If you’re leaders and you deny education to these children, you are denying God.” President Museveni also emphasized that the skilling hubs have enabled youth to produce items previously imported from China, India, and Dubai, including beds, chairs, metallic doors, and clothing. He noted that Bugweri District has one HCIV in Bugweri Constituency with two doctors and an ambulance, six HCIIIs, ten HCIIs, and two sub-counties that still lack any health facility. “We plan to upgrade Busesa HCIV to a general hospital. We shall upgrade Idudi HCII to HCIII in Idudi Town Council and upgrade Nsale HCII to HCIII in Ibulanku Sub-County,” he said. Ongoing works include the expansion of the Busesa HCIV maternity ward and the construction of incinerators at Busembatia HCIII, Nawangisa HCIII, and Minani HCIII. Wealth creation and jobs: President Museveni cautioned residents against relying solely on physical infrastructure to escape poverty. “I passed here in 1965, going to Teso College and Gulu to play games there. This road was already tarmacked from Kabale all the way to Soroti, and we have been repairing it several times. But even if you go today, you will find poor people near that tarmac road, yet development was there 60 years ago,” President Museveni said. He reiterated the NRM’s 4-acre model, allocating one acre to coffee, another to pasture for zero-grazing cows, a third to fruits, and a fourth to food crops, with pigs and poultry in the backyard and fish farming for swamp-adjacent areas. President Museveni highlighted success stories, such as a farmer in Abim earning 36 million shillings annually from mangoes. He said his Barlege farm in Lira, where he has a 20 m × 50 m fishpond, generates 100 million shillings per year, and MP Fred Byamukama’s 4-acre enterprise, which employs 26 people, makes 108 million shillings per month from poultry alone. He criticized political actors who demand government jobs for everyone. “Those who tell you to wait for government jobs are enemies of Uganda,” he said, citing the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park’s 75 factories employing 12,000 people as evidence of the NRM’s job creation strategy. On the other hand, Maama Janet delivered a passionate message, acknowledging NRM’s track record and urging Bugweri to protect past achievements while embracing future transformation. “Please remember on that day of voting, you need to go in person to vote for your own—President Museveni and the whole lineup of NRM flag bearers—so that you allow NRM to continue to protect this peace in our country and the freedom to work hard so that our country becomes better than it has been,” Maama Janet said, emphasizing that unity within the NRM is essential for Uganda’s progress. Several key NRM figures delivered remarks reaffirming support for President Museveni and outlining regional demands. Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, NRM First National Vice Chairman, urged Busoga to back President Museveni for continued peace and asked leaders to avoid internal fights during the election season. Hon. Calvin Echodu, NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, welcomed President Museveni “back home” to Busoga and hailed Bugweri leaders for strong mobilization. “And these people are here because they are rallying and uniting around you. Busoga is very excited, and we thank you for being a uniting point for Busoga,” Hon. Echodu said. The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, also welcomed President Museveni to Bugweri and presented several demands from the district. She highlighted the need for a second constituency and noted that many sub-counties still lack essential services. Hon. Kadaga further appealed to the President to prioritize the construction of the Nondwe–Busembatya road. She also informed President Museveni that the current PDM allocation is insufficient for Bugweri due to the high population in its parishes. According to available statistics, Bugweri District has 36 PDM SACCOs and has so far received a total of Shs 11.106 billion, all of which has been disbursed to 11,387 beneficiary households. Out of the district’s 46,584 households, only 11,387, equivalent to 24.44%, have benefited from the PDM. This leaves 35,197 households, or 75.6%, yet to benefit, including some that are already participating in the money economy. Alhajji Shaban Sadiki Nkutu, the NRM District Chairperson for Bugweri, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for granting the Bugweri district status. He also emphasized the community’s aspirations, including the establishment of an industrial park and the tarmacking of the Nawangisa–Nakivumbi road. NRM's Support in Bugweri: Bugweri District is made up of 8 sub-counties and town councils, 37 parishes, and 147 villages, with a total population of 211,511 according to the 2024 census. In the 2021 elections, the district had 84,953 registered voters, of whom 47,064 cast their ballots, representing a voter turnout of 55.4%. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, President Museveni, received 17,428 votes (38.7%), while the National Unity Platform (NUP) secured 25,939 votes (57.6%). Ahead of the 2025 elections, the number of registered voters in Bugweri has risen to 96,437, and the number of polling stations has increased from 154 to 230. The rally drew a notable lineup of NRM heavyweights, highlighting its significance in the lead-up to the 2026 elections. Among those in attendance were Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, the Third Deputy Prime Minister; Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda, Minister for the Presidency; and Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, former Vice President; Shafic Mwanje, CEC member responsible for People with Disabilities; Arinaitwe Rwakajara Chairperson of the Workers’ League in the CEC.

2025-11-17