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

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.

2025-11-08

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.

2025-11-07

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.

2025-11-06

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.

2025-11-06

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HOLDS RADIO TALK SHOW WITH JOURNALISTS IN TESO

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday held a radio talk show with journalists from across the Teso Sub-region at State Lodge, Soroti. During the discussion, the President reflected on the achievements of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and outlined the key contributions that have transformed Uganda under its leadership. He began by emphasizing that peace remains the foundation of all progress. “If you want to talk about people’s ability to bring peace, the reason for peace is first of all to have good politics — politics of interest, not politics of identity,” he said. “The past political parties based their interests on tribes and religion. One of the reasons we were able to create peace is that we rejected that kind of politics. Because of peace, we have been able to build strong national institutions like the army, police, and intelligence services, where we do not look at one’s tribe. Therefore, the number one contribution of the NRM is peace, which has led to all these things.” President Museveni noted that the second contribution of the NRM is development. “You have all seen what the NRM has done — the roads, electricity, hospitals, and schools,” he said. He added that the third contribution is wealth creation, which is often misunderstood. “Many people have been confusing development with wealth creation,” he explained. “Yes, development like roads and electricity is good, but wealth creation is vital for an individual because development is ours, while wealth creation is for the individual.” The President highlighted job creation as the fourth major contribution by the NRM government. “We have told you that jobs come from commercial agriculture, Industry, ICT, and services,” he said, adding that individuals must embrace these opportunities to improve their livelihoods. The fifth contribution, he said, is expanding markets. “Our internal market is not enough, and so we need the East African market,” he said. “Now we have almost a surplus of everything — for example, there is a fruit factory here in Soroti, the Teju Fruit Factory. So if people in Teso, Lango, and Acholi all wake up and plant fruits and our internal market is not enough, where shall we sell our fruits? Therefore, the markets of East Africa and Africa are crucial, and leaders need to talk about this. He also emphasized political integration as an essential part of Uganda’s future growth and unity. On the issue of cattle restocking, President Museveni said he had engaged the government on the matter and that local communities in Teso, Acholi, and Lango had agreed to his proposal. “I talked to the government, and the local communities of Teso, Acholi, and Lango have agreed to my idea of five cows per homestead,” he said. “The next thing is now to start the process, and I assure you it will happen. It may take time, but it will happen.” Turning to NRM candidates contesting as independents, President Museveni said the practice is politically harmful. “Politically, it is bad for an NRM candidate to contest as an independent because you put the official NRM flag bearer at a disadvantage and give their opponent a chance to win,” he said. “It is really criminal and politically bankrupt. Even when they are only NRM, it is bad, yet there is a better way — because our primaries were like a trap since people line up behind the candidates in full glare of everyone. So if someone alters results and you have your reliable agents bring the proof, we shall find out and arrest those involved.” On the Parish Development Model (PDM), the President promised to increase funding once implementation shows consistent progress. “The important thing is for it to work. Now that there is progress with PDM, we shall increase it.” Regarding the creation of new administrative units, he said the government must balance priorities. “It is okay to create new districts, but we must deal with the issue of prioritization,” he said. “What is more important — to build a road for the people or to give a new district? The districts will be granted, but prioritization is key because when the road is bad, it affects many people.” On education, President Museveni expressed concern over the continued charging of fees in government schools despite his call for free education. “I now want a consensus. I wonder why people have not agreed to my idea of free education. It is the reason I established skilling hubs — to show everyone that children can get free education at zero cost.” He also announced plans to establish a graduates’ fund to support young people who have completed university but lack employment. “The graduates’ fund will also be accessed at parish level.These graduates — their parents have invested a lot of money in paying school fees, and so they need a fund to help them start their journey.” The NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, Mr. Calvin Echodu, thanked the President for what he described as an enlightening discussion on the NRM Manifesto and its core contributions to Uganda’s progress.

2025-11-05