Latest News Updates

img
12 October 2025
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PLEDGES TO FIX ZOMBO ROAD NETWORK, IMPROVE SERVICES AS HE COURTS WEST NILE VOTE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer in the forthcoming 2026 general elections, has promised to address the long-standing problem of poor road infrastructure in Zombo District and to further expand other economic and social facilities in the area. The President, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, pledged on Saturday 11th, October 2025, while addressing a campaign rally at Zombo Upper Primary School playground. The rally drew thousands of residents from across the district and surrounding areas as the NRM leader sought to consolidate support in the West Nile sub-region. President Museveni told the cheering crowd that his government has already made concrete plans to rehabilitate and upgrade the main road network in Zombo, saying the project will commence next year. “The contract for the construction of the road from Nebbi to Zombo will be signed in April 2026. It will then be followed by the road from Zombo to Vura,” President Museveni revealed, drawing loud applause from supporters. He explained that the road from Nebbi through Goli to Zombo and onward to Vura is part of the wider national road network development plan that the NRM government has been implementing progressively across the country. “When NRM came into power, the tarmac road ended at Karuma. We have since extended it to Gulu, and from there to Koboko. From Malaba up to Bundibugyo, from Nimule to Kisoro, the tarmac now stretches across Uganda. The Nebbi–Zombo–Vura Road is part of this plan,” President Museveni said. He dismissed claims that the government had ignored the area, noting that national priorities had first focused on opening up the main transit corridors before extending to interior roads such as those in Zombo. “The Nebbi–Goli road is only 16 kilometers and from Goli to Vura is 118 kilometers. You cannot say NRM cannot do that because we have already done over 1,000 kilometers elsewhere,” he said, adding that maintenance of existing murram roads would continue until all major road projects are completed. President Museveni emphasized that road connectivity is vital for trade and cross-border relations, especially for a district like Zombo which shares boundaries with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan. Peace and Stability: President Museveni used the rally to underline the NRM’s track record in ensuring national stability, asserting that peace remains the foundation for all development efforts. “It is only the NRM that has managed to secure peace from border to border because of our politics of unity and caring for the people,” he said. He recalled that the NRM’s roots go back over six decades, when he and other young activists broke away from the old political parties such as the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and Kabaka Yekka (KY) after realizing their limitations. “NRM has been active for 65 years. We saw the problem with the old parties — they were based on religion, tribe, and sectarianism. That is why they failed to manage the country. You cannot build a national army or achieve stability through divisive politics,” President Museveni stated. He cited past instability in Northern Uganda and West Nile, saying that the old armies collapsed because they were built along tribal lines. “Because of sectarianism, even good soldiers like Brigadier Hussein were killed. But now we have peace because of two things — unity and a strong national army,” President Museveni said. He reminded residents that, being close to DRC and South Sudan, they have firsthand experience of the instability in neighboring countries and should appreciate Uganda’s peace. “You know what happens in Congo and South Sudan. Refugees come here because we have peace and stability. That is why NRM must continue,” he said. Expanding access to education in Zombo: On education, the President pledged to ensure that all sub-counties in Zombo District have at least one government secondary school within the next term. Zombo District currently has 15 sub-counties, of which seven have government secondary schools, while eight still lack one. There are eight government secondary schools and one private secondary school serving a total enrollment of about 3,831 students. “In the next term, we shall ensure that all sub-counties without a government school get one,” President Museveni assured. He pointed to the ongoing construction of four Seed Secondary Schools, Atyak, Abanga, Kango, and Alangi — which will significantly reduce the gap once completed. For primary education, the district has 92 government primary schools and 14 private schools spread across 61 parishes, though 17 parishes still lack a government primary school. President Museveni said government efforts will continue until all parishes are adequately covered. Health services: The President also addressed concerns over limited healthcare services in the district, promising to elevate Paidha Health Centre III to Health Centre IV and to follow up on plans for establishing a district hospital in Zombo. “I will take up the issue of your district hospital,” President Museveni assured the crowd. On wealth creation, President Museveni urged residents to take full advantage of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other government initiatives designed to lift households out of poverty. “Even if we tarmac the roads, and you have no wealth in your homes, it will not benefit you. Everyone must participate in wealth creation,” the President said. He explained that NRM’s philosophy emphasizes both development — such as public infrastructure — and wealth, which is personal and generated within households. “NRM from the beginning added the word ‘wealth’ because it is private and personal. When you go back home after using a tarmac road, poverty will welcome you unless you are productive,” President Museveni said. He noted that Zombo District, with 61 parishes, has so far received Shs 18.7 billion under PDM. Of this, Shs 18.3 billion (97.7%) has been disbursed to 18,646 beneficiary households, representing about 26% of the total 71,491 households in the district. President Museveni said the government plans to increase PDM parish SACCO funding by Shs 15 million to support local leadership and to ensure that more families move from subsistence to the money economy. “What I appeal to you is that every family should get out of poverty. Once you have wealth, you will be able to buy more goods, pay for electricity, and support churches and mosques,” he said. “In football, we have players and spectators. In wealth creation, we don’t want spectators — everyone must be a player.” The President also announced plans to establish a special fund for university graduates who have spent at least two years without employment to enable them to start their own enterprises. He further hinted at creating a fund for church and mosque leaders to support their work in community mobilization. On her part, Maama Janet commended the people of Zombo for supporting government programs and reaffirmed the commitment to improving the education sector. “I thank you for the warm welcome. Let us continue to vote for NRM so that we keep the peace and unity that our children and grandchildren deserve,” she said. “Uganda must remain united and free from divisions. The refugees we host are a reminder that our peace should never be taken for granted.” Consistent support for NRM: Zombo has historically been a stronghold of the NRM, having consistently voted for President Museveni in past elections. In the 2021 presidential elections, President Museveni secured 45,578 votes, representing 76.08% of the total 64,591 votes cast. The National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate polled 9,111 votes (15.2%), while other candidates shared 5,217 votes (8.8%). At the time, Zombo had 123,432 registered voters, with a voter turnout of 52.3%. According to the Electoral Commission register for 2025, the district now has 149,412 registered voters and 363 polling stations, up from 220 in 2021 — reflecting a significant growth in voter registration and administrative expansion. Zombo District, with a population of 312,621 according to the 2024 population census, has two constituencies, 15 sub-counties/town councils, 61 parishes, and 752 villages. Despite its strong NRM support base, local leaders acknowledged that poor road infrastructure remains a major challenge affecting service delivery and mobilization. President Museveni’s rally in Zombo followed his campaign meeting earlier in the day at Namrwodho Primary School in Nebbi District. The NRM presidential flag bearer launched his West Nile campaign trail in Pakwach earlier in the week, focusing on consolidating support and reinforcing NRM’s message of peace, development, and prosperity. The Zombo event was attended by several senior government and party officials, including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, Minister of State for Investment, Hon. Evelyn Anite, NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Dennis Hamson Obua, and NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Region Hon. Jonard Asiimwe, as well as Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and the general public. Hon. Obua urged residents to vote for President Museveni and NRM to sustain the gains made in peace and infrastructure development. “President Museveni knows the plans he has for Zombo District, including the roads and education. Let us protect the peace and development that Northern Uganda has enjoyed for the first time since independence,” Hon. Obua said. The NRM candidate will resume his campaign rallies on Monday next week.

img
11 October 2025
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI, FIRST LADY JANET PAY TRIBUTE TO LATE MATHEW RICHARD RUBAHAMA KAZOORA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni yesterday evening joined the family of the late John Kazoora to pay tribute to Mathew Richard Rubahama Kazoora at their family home in Makindye, Kampala. The late Mathew, aged 63, died on 1st September 2025 in London. He was born to the late John Kazoora and Gwendine and was the second born of five children: Max, Vanessa, Susan and Mark. Mathew pursued a Degree in Law and Sociology and later advanced with a Master’s in International Relations from the United Kingdom. In his heartfelt speech, President Museveni expressed gratitude to the late John Kazoora for his contributions while alive and recalled memories connected to the compound. “I’m here in this compound after a very long time. On 4th February 1981, Maama left me here with Patience and Diana and went through the airport to Nairobi, but she had some drama at the airport earlier alone. Ms. Kakwano had taken Muhoozi and Natasha through the land border through Malaba, this was in order to get out of the way because we were planning to attack Kabamba on the 6th of February so when she left, on 5th,I spent the whole day here and in town but later left at around 5 O’clock to follow the men group which was going to attack, I don’t know whether I have been back here again here but that’s what I remember about this place,” President Museveni said. “Because the government came to know that I had sprung from here they came and damaged the house, when John was alive we tried to repair it, I don’t remember the details very well but we have always been ready to repair it because John played a very big role in our struggle so I felt I should correct this because John contributed a lot in our struggle,” he emphasised. President Museveni went on to speak about building a family legacy and cautioned the family about internal division. He urged the Kazoora family to repent, forgive and reconcile. “Now that you have seen this tragedy of how Mathew died, therefore now, the only requirement you need is repenting, forgiving one another, reconciling and forgetting.” “Therefore, I think on a wider society, with these what we call modernity, you need to go back to some basics about life, family, black-hood and fraternity , so that we avoid damage because people die, Henry ford who invented automobile died long time but even if you go today you find the Ford company working,” he said. He also advised all Ugandans on inheritance and family wealth. “And I have been telling all Ugandans the capitalistic smart way of inheritance where they started using shares instead of physical division. How are you going to divide these properties, this is one property, how are you going to divide it, he asked? Why don’t you take it all of you as a family company and you have shares. If it’s like a hotel for instance,” he urged. “So, I think the death of Mathew will be meaningful if we learn from it whatever mistakes that were made, if they are corrected then it will be remembered that Mathew’s death was a turning point for the Kazoora family.” On her part, Maama Janet thanked President Museveni for assisting to bring Mathew’s body back home. “I want to thank Mzee for enabling us to bring Mathew’s body back home which gives us a chance to see Mathew’s body at Makindye for the last time,” she said. “This is the only home Mathew ever knew in Uganda. It’s where he grew up and spent his childhood and what a happy time that was! Therefore, that’s why I so much wanted his body to come here for the last time before going to Mbarara for the funeral. I thought it was necessary for us to meet here for the last time to mourn Mathew’s death together and bid farewell and I thank God that we could do this.” Maama Janet related her remarks to the theme of the prayer breakfast “the power of forgiveness and reconciliation” and urged the mourners to believe in God and to allow God to lead them to forgiveness. “It was my prayer that you allow God to lead you to forgive each other and may Mathew’s death be a turning point for all of you to bring you back together to forgive and reconcile as children of the same father and mother.” She called for unity among the remaining siblings so that the property their parents left behind becomes a blessing and, in a sombre tone, encouraged them to believe in God to fulfil their life purposes. “Mathew was a very good friend of mine, but we have had a problem since your parents died trying to pull you together as you pull yourselves apart and it’s been very painful,” she emphasised. The event was also attended by Hon. Sam Kutesa, family members, among other mourners.

img
11 October 2025
NEBBI: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CALLS ON VOTERS TO SUPPORT NRM AND MAINTAIN PEACE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM Presidential Flagbearer, has energized a massive crowd during a campaign rally today in Nebbi District. He was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni. The rally began with prayers led by His Grace Archbishop Luke Orombi, who asked for a peaceful election period and for the continued unity and prosperity of Uganda. Thousands of excited supporters filled the venue, waving flags, singing, and cheering as the President addressed the crowd. The atmosphere was full of energy as he shared his vision for keeping Uganda peaceful, improving development, and ensuring stability across the country. The campaign is running under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”. Speaking first, Maama Janet reminded Ugandans of the importance of safeguarding the peace that the country enjoys. “We are in an electoral season. Every person who has a vote carries a responsibility, to vote for peace, to vote for stability, and to vote for continued progress,” she said. “Some of you may not know where Uganda has come from. Do not play with the peace and freedom God has given us. Development, prosperity, and transformation all depend on the peace and freedom we enjoy today.” Her remarks set the stage for the President to address his supporters, highlighting his achievements and plans for the next term. NRM Brings Peace, Unity and Development: President Museveni reflected on his life-long service to Uganda, emphasizing his role as the NRM Presidential Flagbearer. “For 65 years, NRM has been working to unite and develop Uganda. As your Presidential Flagbearer, I am here to continue this mission,” he said. “I congratulate my young brother, His Grace Archbishop Luke Orombi upon reaching 76 years old. I am 81, and of those years, 65 have been dedicated to Uganda and Africa.” The President credited Uganda’s long-standing peace to NRM’s ideology, which rejects division by tribe, religion, or gender. “In the past, political parties were divided along religious or tribal lines. That is why no party could win a majority at independence. NRM built a national movement that unites all Ugandans,” he said. This unity, he noted, has allowed Uganda to build strong institutions like the army, judiciary, and state administrative systems. Infrastructure and Development in West Nile: President Museveni highlighted NRM’s achievements in roads, electricity, water, and communications. “Even when resources were limited, we made sure the road from Karuma reached here. I am delighted that West Nile is now fully connected to the national electricity grid all the way to Koboko. We are also working on the Nebbi–Goli road,” he said. He added that Uganda has seen a remarkable leap in telecommunications. “When NRM came to government, there were only 23,000 telephone lines. Today, we have 28 million telephones.” On social services, the President celebrated progress in education and health but emphasized ongoing needs. “In the 1960s, there were no A-Level schools in Northern Uganda. Today, Nebbi alone has eight. This is progress, but we are not done,” he said. “In the next government, we will enforce free education, increase teachers by 50,000, and ensure every parish has a primary school and every sub-county a secondary school.” He also committed to completing health facilities in all sub-counties. “Out of 16 sub-counties, 10 have health centers. We shall ensure the remaining six also have access to quality health services,” he pledged. President Museveni reiterated that true development must translate into household wealth. “Some leaders talk about development like roads, hospitals, schools but people go home to poverty. The Parish Development Model (PDM) is designed to bring wealth to every household,” he said. The NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Hamson Obua, praised President Museveni as “the pacifier of peace in northern Uganda.” “When we talk of peace and development in Northern Uganda, it is only President Museveni who has delivered. He is dependable, reliable, and the guarantor of stability,” he said. Hon. Emmanuel Urombi, NRM District Chairman, thanked the President for his leadership and development programs. “Over 300 youth trained in the Presidential Skilling Hub. The district’s connection to the national grid has opened doors for agro-industrial growth,” he said. Nebbi District, with a population of 299,398 and 63 parishes, has made remarkable progress under government programs. Through the Parish Development Model, the district has received Shs 18.6bn, benefiting over 20,000 households. The district also boasts 89 government primary schools, 7 secondary schools, and four new Seed Secondary Schools are under construction. In conclusion, President Museveni appealed to the people of Nebbi to vote for the NRM Parliamentary Flagbearers and support the NRM to safeguard the country’s hard-earned gains. “I urge the people of Nebbi to vote for our NRM Members of Parliament and support the NRM across the board to represent you well. Let us protect the peace, freedom, and development we have built together,” he said. The event was also graced by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, among others.

img
10 October 2025
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI OFFICIATES AT THE CLOSURE OF THE AFRO-ARAB YOUTH CONGRESS 2025

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officiated at the closure of the Afro-Arab Youth Congress 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, urging young people across Africa and the Arab world to embrace ideology, unity, and innovation as tools for peace and prosperity. The five-day congress, held under the theme: “Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity and Prosperity,” ran from October 6 to 10, 2025, bringing together youth leaders, government officials, diplomats, and representatives from across Africa and the Arab world to chart a new course for collaboration and progress. The President noted that Africa’s population currently stands at 1.5 billion people and is projected to reach 2.5 billion in the next 30 years, saying this demographic shift positions the continent as the future of global growth. “You young people need to know that you belong to the future of the world. The future belongs here in the Afro-Arab world,” he said. He observed that while Africa is blessed with favorable weather and abundant natural resources, the same environment also supports challenges such as tsetse flies and malaria. “Africa has a good climate, but that climate is also good for Africa’s enemies like tsetse flies, malaria, and other diseases,” the President remarked, stressing the need for young innovators to find homegrown solutions to such problems. President Museveni identified ten strategic bottlenecks that continue to hold Africa back, emphasizing that ideological disorientation remains one of the most dangerous. He explained that Africa’s political weakness has often stemmed from focusing on identity rather than shared interests. “The most important question in politics is: is it about identity or about interests?” he said. “In the case of Sudan, some people destroyed their country by introducing politics of identity — of tribe and religion. Even here in Uganda, some tried to bring it, but we rejected it. We said what we need is politics of interest, because prosperity comes from selling a good or a service, not from tribalism.” He added that political parties that dwell on tribal or sectarian lines cannot build strong national movements. “How can you have a political party that can win elections if you are emphasizing tribes?” he asked, warning that such divisions destroy nations rather than building them. The President also cited a fragmented market as another obstacle to Africa’s progress, noting that meaningful development requires production supported by consumers with purchasing power. “Development comes when you produce a good or service. You must have a society of wealth creators. But Africa is divided into 55 small markets — who will buy what you produce?” he asked. He pointed out that while regional blocs such as the East African Community (EAC) and ECOWAS exist, they are not yet fully functional, while the Maghreb Union could not take off because of internal challenges. He therefore challenged the youth to embrace ideology-driven leadership. “What is your ideology?” he asked. “I recommend to you the ideology of patriotism — love your country, whichever it is — but also be young Pan-Africanists because Uganda cannot thrive without Africa.” President Museveni said Ugandans have learned that their internal market alone cannot sustain production, as the country now produces surpluses of nearly everything. “Ugandans used to be sectarian, but after waking up they realized that the internal market is not enough for their goods,” he explained. “Ideology is like a medical prescription — if it is wrong, the patient will die.” President Museveni also launched a fundraising drive for the Afro-Arab Youth Congress, aimed at strengthening youth empowerment programs across Africa and the Arab world. Ms. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, the Special Envoy to the African Union Chairperson on Youth and Gender Issues, applauded President Museveni for giving women and young people a strong voice in leadership. “We thank President Museveni for giving a platform to women. Uganda is an example to the continent because its Cabinet includes women at the highest levels — the Vice President, the Prime Minister, and several other key ministers.” The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya Kithure Kindiki praised the Afro-Arab Youth Congress as a bridge between the two regions, saying it provides “a vital forum for building understanding and cooperation between Africa and the Arab world.” He emphasized that youth are at the center of enterprise and innovation. “Young people today are creating enterprises that offer new solutions. They are not just leaders of tomorrow — they are leaders of today.” Reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to regional cooperation, he added, “To the youth, this is your time to stand. The future is not promised — it is created.” Representing His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE delegation reaffirmed the Emirates’ belief in youth as drivers of transformation. “We firmly believe in the youth as changemakers,” he said. “In the UAE, we launched a national youth agenda to empower young people to shape the future. My dear youth, we believe in you — you have the passion and energy to transform our world.” The President of the Afro-Arab Youth Congress, H.E Abdul Haddi Lahweej underscored the shared destiny between Africa and the Arab world, saying, “Arab and African nations live side by side and face similar challenges.” He revealed that Libya is “providing thousands of jobs to support youth and help rebuild our nation,” and questioned why Africa, with its abundant resources, remains poor. “How can Africa, with all its wealth, still be poor?” he asked. Africa needs to push its pace and change how it does business if we are to catch up with the rest of the world.” He also called for peace and a united stand against oppression, especially in Palestine. “Africa must push for peace and stop wars. We must also strongly condemn oppression against Palestinians because peace is not an option — it is a necessity.”

img
09 October 2025
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI MEETS RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR VLADLEN SEMIVOLOS AND MINISTER BELLA CHERKESOVA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday met and held fruitful discussions with H.E. Vladlen Semivolos, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Uganda and Ms. Bella Cherkesova, Russia's Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media. In a meeting held at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni and his guests discussed key areas of mutual interest and explored avenues for deepening cooperation between Uganda and Russia.

img
09 October 2025
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WELCOMES COL. SAMSON MANDE BACK TO UGANDA, CALLS FOR CONTINUED PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND REGIONAL UNITY

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has saluted peace-loving Ugandans and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for ensuring sustained stability across the country, describing peace as the foundation upon which Uganda’s progress stands. Speaking during the 63rd Independence Day celebrations today at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the President said that all achievements the country is experiencing today are largely attributed to the prevailing peace and security. The national event was graced by the Deputy President of Kenya, ambassadors, government officials, religious leaders, and cultural leaders, among other dignitaries who joined Ugandans in celebrating the country’s continued journey of peace and development. “I need to salute the peace-loving Ugandans and the UPDF for ensuring peace in Uganda. All that is happening is, first and foremost, on account of the peace that is available. This peace is lubricated by the long-standing NRM policy of reconciliation and forgiveness, on top of our firm stand against crime,” President Museveni said. The President emphasized that the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) policy of forgiveness and reconciliation has played a vital role in uniting Ugandans, rebuilding relationships, and fostering national stability over the years. In a significant moment of the day, President Museveni welcomed his former comrade, Col. Samson Mande, who has been living in exile for years after falling out with the government. The President praised Col. Mande for choosing to return home, describing his decision as a testament to Uganda’s open and reconciliatory approach. “Even today, I am happy to welcome back into peaceful Uganda, Col. Samson Mande, who had fled into exile on account of, apparently, some internal intrigue,” President Museveni said. “While in exile, he tried to engage in some rebel activities. When, however, our cadres contacted him in Sweden, he happily agreed to come back and disconnect himself from the rebel activities.” The President recalled Col. Mande’s contribution to Uganda’s liberation struggle, noting his service as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the TPDF under Major General Silas Mayunga in 1979, and later as commander of the 15th Battalion during the Siege of Masaka in 1985. “I remember Samson Mande in 1979 operating as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the TPDF under Major-General Silas Mayunga in Mbarara. I was commanding the 9,000-strong Fronasa fighting force. Later, Mande did a good job as commander of the 15th Battalion in the Siege of Masaka in 1985 and in subsequent assignments. We welcome him,” he said. The President also reflected on Uganda’s journey over the last six decades, saying that by the country’s 10th Independence Anniversary, Uganda was under “envious dictatorship,” and by the 20th anniversary, the once small economy based on three Cs and three Ts — coffee, cotton, copper, and tobacco, tea, and tourism — had completely collapsed. He said Ugandans were surviving on magendo (black-market trading) and forex rackets before the NRM came in to rescue the country. “I am happy to inform Ugandans that by June 2026, the economy of Uganda will have grown to USD 66.9 billion in size using the forex exchange method, or USD 197.9 billion using the purchasing power parity method,” the President said. “In this financial year, the economy will grow by seven percent, and after the flow of oil, it will grow by double digits.” He added that with the rise of many factories and the production of goods within the country, Uganda is now unstoppable. “No one will stand in our way to development,” he said. The President explained that Uganda has gone through five phases of transformation — from minimum recovery, to expansion, to diversification, to value addition, and now moving into technology — noting that institutions like Kiira Motors represent the next phase of industrial advancement. He further emphasized that the country must now focus on two critical fronts: economic integration and political integration of the East African Community (EAC). “What we need to work on now are two issues — economic integration of East Africa to ensure a big market, and political integration of East Africa resulting in a political federation of our region and the whole of Africa,” he said. “The remaining part is to engage with our brothers and sisters from Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Burundi, Congo, and Somalia to strengthen our market.” President Museveni reiterated that Uganda’s development and progress are rooted in the peace and reconciliation nurtured by the NRM government, and he urged all Ugandans to protect and build upon it. Col. Mande, in turn, expressed gratitude to the President and government for welcoming him back, pledging to work with the government in promoting peace and national unity.

Latest Press Releases

Opinion Posts

author's photo
11 October 2025
BOBI WINE MISCALCULATED ON ABOLISHING PDM

During his campaign rallies in Luuka and Kaliro districts in the Busoga Sub-region, the National Unity Platform presidential flag bearer, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, stated that Ugandans do not need the Parish Development Model (PDM) cash, which he described as handouts. He promised that once voted into power, he would abolish the program. In February 2022, the Parish Development Model (PDM) was launched by H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda as a multi-sectoral strategy for transforming subsistence households into the money economy. Under the PDM, the parish serves as the lowest administrative and operational hub for planning, budgeting, reporting, and delivering interventions to bring services closer to the people. So far, it has increased household food security, incomes, and the overall quality of life in communities across Uganda. Through his wise guidance, President Yoweri Museveni pioneered this money train of the PDM, targeting subsistence households that operate across the entire agricultural value chain. According to statistics, 41% of Ugandan households, about 17 million people are still in the subsistence economy. The majority of these represent the most poverty-stricken, landless, vulnerable, and unemployed Ugandans trapped in the vicious cycle of low income, low savings, low investment, and lack of assets. It is on this basis that the NRM government initiated the PDM program to ensure that people have money in their pockets, starting at the household level. To ensure that the wanainchi access services under the PDM, subsistence households were organised into common enterprise groups engaged in shared income-generating activities within their localities. The main purpose of organising these households is to ensure that a minimum package of services is delivered in a coordinated manner so that investments truly work for them. Under the current framework, each parish receives Shs 100 million annually to support 100 households with Shs 1 million each for income-generating activities. PDM, as a unifying economic transformation vehicle, targets a wide range of beneficiaries including women, youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly, enterprise groups, and subsistence households, among others. So far, PDM stands out as Uganda’s leading economic transformation program, reaching every parish across the country. For instance, Oyam District is among the best-performing districts under the program. The district received Shs 15.26 billion, all of which has been disbursed to 15,358 beneficiary households out of a total of 110,658 households engaged in various enterprises. Similarly, Luwero District received total funding of Shs 31,083,706,000, of which Shs 30,372,608,500 has already been loaned out. The remaining Shs 711,097,500 is yet to be disbursed. Beneficiaries like Harriet Nampa of Mukono District have testified about how starting small with PDM funds has helped them transition into the money economy. Given this impressive performance, it was astonishing to hear someone aspiring to lead Uganda, such as Bobi Wine, campaigning to abolish a program that is helping people join the money economy. For many Ugandans who have been exploited by moneylenders, PDM came as a rescue initiative. In many parts of the country, a moneylender gives out Shs 1 million and demands Shs 200,000 in monthly repayments, meaning by the end of the year, one pays back Shs 4.5 million. Under PDM, the government provides Shs 1 million, and after two years, the beneficiary returns only Shs 1.2 million in a revolving cycle. Each year, the parish receives Shs 100 million, ensuring a lasting impact. Unlike commercial bank loans that carry high interest rates, PDM funds are designed to give Ugandans time to grow their enterprises before repayment. Unless Bobi Wine is protecting the interests of moneylenders, his call to abolish PDM shows disregard for those striving to escape poverty and join the money economy. I strongly believe that Bobi Wine miscalculated when he proposed abolishing PDM, because its impact is visible and firmly rooted in communities. Yes, Uganda still needs more roads, electricity, schools, and hospitals, but development without wealth keeps people in poverty. Bobi Wine must understand that even if people do not have tarmac roads in their villages, they can still become rich. Wealth begins at the homestead, and fighting it is equivalent to condemning people to abject poverty. For him to make such a careless statement about Ugandans is a sign of an unserious leader who wants to destroy their livelihood. I am confident that, since many Ugandans have benefited from this program, they will respond to him at the ballot box and he will regret making such misguided statements.

author's photo
10 October 2025
KYAGULANYI GO SLOW ON PDM, STUDY YOWERI MUSEVENI AND PROF. YUNUS MUHAMAD

While campaigning in the Luuka, Busoga subregion on the 1st of October 2025, NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi was quoted by most media channels castigating the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a policy of government targeting the over 33% of Ugandans that are still outside the money economy. In fact, he vowed to freeze the fund when he is elected president. Instead, in his view, he would put that money in the health and education sectors. One wonders what informed Kyagulanyi's wayward political statement. Is it because the program has been so successful, and therefore, he thinks it will give President Yoweri Museveni, his competitor, a mirage? Or was it a spur-of-the-moment statement made without much thought? Kyagulanyi should know by now that even if the government committed half of its annual budget to the education and health sectors to attain world-class standards, this alone would not shift the people of Uganda out of poverty. To help the people move away from a subsistence lifestyle, the government needs to create programs that give citizens financial support and practical guidance so they can start profitable businesses and earn a steady income. Uganda’s PDM policy is not cast in stone. Countries all over the world have pursued similar programs to shift their people to the wealth cluster, and the results are there for everyone to appreciate. Indeed, President Yoweri Museveni saw this much earlier. Even when he built schools, hospitals, and state-of-the-art roads, he knew so well that Ugandans needed to shift substantially from their subsistence lifestyles and move into the money economy. He therefore began socioeconomic programs aimed at changing their economic outlook. Even before PDM, there was Boona Bagagawale, Entandikwa, Operation Wealth Creation, and now Emyoga and Youth Livelihood, among others. The usual naysayers are quick to say that these programs were all in vain. However, they forget that it is through such deliberate programs that poverty in Uganda has been reduced to 16.1%, according to the National Household Survey 2023/2024. Museveni critics shouldn't forget that it is through such interventions that Uganda is currently the leading exporter of most cash crops in the region. Uganda is now the number one coffee exporter in Africa. We feed the region and the rest of the world with maize, milk, beans, cocoa, vanilla, sugarcane, etc. For one to fully appreciate the value of PDM, one must study Indonesia’s Prof. Muhammad Yunus and his microfinance support programs that turned around the Indonesian poor masses. Prof. Muhammad Yunus pioneered microfinance to give the unbanked rural poor, especially women, access to credit for self-employment and small businesses. The aim was to create bottom-up development where economic growth starts with the most marginalized. Born in Bangladesh on June 28, 1940, in the early 1970s, Yunus completed his PhD in economics at Vanderbilt University. Yunus returned to Bangladesh to become the head of Chittagong University's economics department. Around the time of Yunus' return to Bangladesh, a famine had swept through the country. He became aware that the poor needed access to capital to start small businesses and that banks generally weren't willing to help them, either refusing requests outright or charging extortionate interest rates. In 1976, Yunus decided to take action himself. He lent about $27 in total to 42 local women who needed money to buy materials for their work. Traditional banks refused to lend to people without collateral, but Yunus believed that even the poorest individuals could improve their lives and start small businesses through microcredit and microloans. In 1983, Yunus formally opened the Grameen (Village) bank, which served as a way to offer microcredit to entry-level and subsistence entrepreneurs. By June 2020, Grameen Bank had given $30.48 billion worth of loans to some of the world's poorest people. Perhaps more importantly, Yunus' scheme and his promotion of microcredit led to the formation of hundreds of similar projects in nations around the world. Similarly, introduced in 2022, PDM is Uganda’s flagship poverty eradication and wealth creation program. It targets the 39% of Ugandans who rely on a subsistence economy, aiming to help them join the money economy through parish-level Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs). The president’s call for everyone to join the money economy with 'ekibalo' is being realized. All the 10,594 parishes nationwide receive Shs 100 million each annually, directly credited to Parish SACCO accounts. PDM funding for Greater Kampala Metropolitan will rise to Shs. 300 million per parish, with special grants for people with disabilities, village leaders, and religious leaders. Finally, Kyagulanyi should pick a lesson from Yoweri Museveni and Prof. Yunus Muhammad. Uganda’s PDM emphasizes borrower responsibility and accountability and trains and supports local financial institutions (SACCOs) the way Grameen trained its staff. It also focuses on women's empowerment, not just equal distribution, and ensures sustainability by encouraging savings and reinvestment rather than over-reliance on government injection. The Writer is the Acting Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

author's photo
08 October 2025
UGANDA IS ALREADY BENEFITTING FROM SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE OIL DISCOVERY

A significant number of Ugandans hold the view that the benefits of oil start with the extraction of the first barrel, primarily highlighting a reduction in fuel prices at gas stations. This perspective prompts the inquiry into the commencement of initial oil production, while overlooking the substantial gains already being realized from oil through various avenues such as infrastructure development, job creation, compensation funds, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of licensed companies, scholarships for oil-related training, vocational training programs, and, ultimately, tax revenues. The discovery of oil has played a role in decreasing unemployment in the nation by offering job opportunities to a substantial number of Ugandans, both directly and indirectly, including those from local communities. Over 17,203 individuals are employed directly, with 89% being Ugandans and 5,273 coming from surrounding communities. Among these, 63% occupy management roles, 93% are engaged in technical positions, and 98% are involved in support functions. Furthermore, there are roughly 35,000 indirect jobs generated, along with about 100,000 induced jobs. The workforce comprises engineers, technicians, drivers, and cooks, among others. A maximum of 10,571 Ugandans has been employed by TotalEnergies Exploration and Production Uganda, along with its contractors, which accounts for 99.3% of the entire project workforce. Among these, a peak of 3,719 individuals (35%) are Ugandans hailing from the host communities located in the districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Pakwach, Hoima, Masindi, and Kikuube. It is noteworthy that 16% of the Ugandan workforce consists of women. The construction of roads in the Bunyoro region has been initiated in response to the discovery of oil. Significant transportation routes for oil within the Albertine Graben have been developed, including the 54 km Masindi-Biiso Road in the Masindi district, the 111 km Hoima-Butiaba-Wanseko road linking the Hoima and Buliisa districts, the 93 km Buhimba-Nalweyo-Kakumiro-Mubende roads connecting Mubende to the Kibaale district, and the 80 km Masindi-Bugungu route that passes through Murchison Falls in the Masindi district, adjacent to Murchison Falls National Park. These roads are designed to facilitate oil production, which is expected to commence early next year, thereby enhancing the efficient movement of people and goods. This network encompasses approximately 700 km of paved roads that link the oil-producing region, which traverses ecologically sensitive areas, to the rest of the nation, thus improving overall trade and transportation. I had the privilege of traveling along these routes during a field excursion for media editors to the operational sites of oil and gas, specifically the Tilenga project in Buliisa and Nwoya, the Kingfisher oil field in Kikuube District, Kabalega International Airport in Hoima, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) in Kakumiro district. I was genuinely impressed by the development of the roads. In the realm of capacity building, over 14,000 individuals in Uganda have been trained and certified in various oil and gas sectors, such as Welding, Health, Safety, and Environment, Heavy Goods Vehicle operation, and Scaffolding, among others. Furthermore, 14 institutions across the country have established international certifications. Thirteen Ugandans have gained international experience by working with other TotalEnergies affiliates worldwide, including in the USA, Africa, Europe, and Asia. More than 1,600 Ugandans have received training and certification in a range of vocational skills, which include, but are not limited to, Heavy Goods Vehicle Driving, Scaffolding and Working at Heights, Coded Welding, Quality Control (QC) Inspection, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), and HSE training. This is clearly reflected in the oil fields, where skilled Ugandans are employed in roles such as engineers, safety managers, and procurement officers, among others. A staff member from the Tilenga project shared insights about their training in France, noting that upon completion of the course, they return to Uganda, where they undergo a one-year probationary period before being confirmed in their positions. Finally, there has been notable growth in the number of Ugandan companies involved in oil projects, with over 240 Ugandan suppliers engaged by TotalEnergies EP Uganda at its peak. These companies are supplying both non-specialized goods and services, such as camp management, manpower provision, medical needs, training, and consultancy. Additionally, some are offering specialized goods and services, including engineering design, technical studies, and construction. A total of USD 31.3 million worth of goods and services have been procured from suppliers in host communities, which include fresh food, accommodation, construction materials, catering services, conference facilities, and small tools. Considering the advancements made thus far with the discovery of oil and the expected commencement in 2026, Uganda's potential for development through oil exploration is promising. The writer works with the Uganda Media Centre

author's photo
05 October 2025
BWANA GAWAYA TEGULLE, THIS IS WHY UGANDANS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY VOTED YOWERI MUSEVENI

In his Sunday Monitor column of 30th September 2025, Gawaya Tegulle outed a piece, titled, ‘2026 polls: Gen Muntu the stone that builders rejected’, where he made very patronising observations about Ugandans especially the many millions that have continuously voted for president Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement party over the years. Using a barrage of overbearing English words, Bwana Gawaya thinks Ugandans are dimwits and carry no brains to chose what is good for themselves. In his view, Ugandans should accept to suffer whatever form ‘indignations’ that come their way because they are permanently making wrong decisions of choosing President Museveni to be their leader time and again. How wrong he can get. Simple facts should inform Bwana Tegulle to appreciate why majority Ugandans are forever grateful to Yoweri Museveni and hence the continued trust. President Museveni inherited a complete failed state in 1986 and there is no debate about it. Imagine taking over a country that had had 7 presidents in a period of just 24 years. Indeed, we weren’t changing leadership through a democratic process, but changes were occasioned through military coups and brutal takeovers like the one championed by Milton Obote in 1966. The story of the Idd Amin’s and his reign of terror is well known to Ugandans and the rest of the world especially among the baby-boomers and Generation X like Gawaya Tegulle. Since 2006, when the last group of war mongers of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) were completely defeated and fled to the Central African Republic (CAR), Uganda has had total peace from all corners of its territory. As a result, we are now home to over 1.6 million refugees from across the world and second refugee hosting nation in the whole world. This is on top of being ranked number one in the world with the best refugee hospitality policies. Those troubled in their countries find peace in Uganda courtesy of Yoweri Museveni. This total peace and stability witnessed for the first time in very man years is what has led to massive Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in Uganda hence creating the much-needed jobs, skills, innovations plus growing the size of our economy. Then one wonders why Ugandans are still voting Museveni…? Uganda’s economy has strengthened its resilience to domestic and external shocks and been growing at estimated 6% over the last 30 years. In nominal terms, the size of the economy is now USD 66.3 billion compared to 1.5USD billion in 1986. This growth is broad-based, including in agriculture, industry and services like ICT. Uganda is on course to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning through Universal Education from Primary to Secondary levels. In this way, we have been able to restore gender parity with the enrollment of females and males almost balanced. Science and Technology remain high on the agenda of the country. Following the launch of UPE in 1997, gross enrolment in primary schools increased from a total of 2.5 million in 1996 to now over 8.6 million in 2023, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Government has increased funding to the education sector, more classrooms have been constructed, teachers deployed, the number of primary school teachers almost doubled in years from 81,564 in 1996 to 136,819 in 2023. The Universal Education programme in Uganda demonstrates that a country with a committed NRM government can fight poverty through ensuring access to education for its citizens. Energy investments are transforming Uganda's economy by promoting new industries, creating jobs, enhancing energy access, and driving economic diversification through renewable energy and oil production.  Uganda's total electricity generation is 2,052 megawatts (MW) following the completion of the 600-MW Karuma Hydropower Plant compared to only 750 megawatts that were available in 1986. The electricity transmission capacity has now increased to 4,218 km of high voltage. More plans are underway to generate more electricity to meet our ever-increasing demands because of rapid industrialization we are experiencing. The investment in infrastructure to support regional and international trade includes upgrading Entebbe International Airport and designating other airports for international traffic. The focus is on creating a seamless, sustainable multi-modal transport system aligned with national and regional development goals is unimaginable. The national paved road network has grown to approximately 6,850 from 1000 by 1986. Uganda’s tenfold growth strategy government is stepping up efforts to accelerate diversification of the economy, add value to raw materials to boost exports and import substitution to continue reducing our import bill, and also build more basic industries to produce items that Ugandans use on daily basis such as sugar, soap, cooking oil, clothes, medicines, construction materials, etc. Uganda continues to register improvements in the health sector. Access to and utilization of health services has significantly improved over the years, with the population living within a 5km radius of a health facility increasing 86 percent. Uganda's overall routine immunization rates show improvement up to 2022, with DTP3 coverage at 89% and BCG and rotavirus coverage above 80% for children aged 12-23 months.  Therefore, as we prepare to go into the General Election come January 2026 President Yoweri Museveni’s progressive leadership will be without a doubt rewarded abundantly with another resounding vote. The writer is the AG Executive Director Uganda Media Centre

author's photo
04 October 2025
NRM ELECTION CAMPAIGN TRAIL, MANIFESTO AND THE MASS LINE

The NRM election campaign trail is in full gear, having started on Monday this week with its manifesto launch at the Speke Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, one of Kampala’s leafy suburbs. It was truly well-attended and delivered too, by top party apparatchiks, legislators, new flagbearers, and delegations from the districts, and crowning was presided over by presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa Kaguta, its product and strong brand. We hope and implore that the public will keep abreast with NRM campaign trail, messaging and activities so that by the end of the three months, they are in position to make informed judgment to vote for NRM and President Museveni to consolidate and protect the gains of the last four decades. These gains include rehabilitation, recovery, development, democracy, freedom, peace, security and stability, expansion and diversification of the economy, socio-economic transformation and modenisation now underway so that Ugandans enjoy inclusive prosperity. The NRM election manifesto is closely linked to its earlier policy documents especially starting with the Ten-point program of 1986 whose main theme was to establish better governance characterized by restoration of participatory democracy, social inclusion, economic recovery and national security alongside that of persons and property. Therefore, the 2025-31 manifesto, even without delving in new promises, seeks to deepen ongoing programs of national transformation by focusing on expanding accessibility and improved quality of public service delivery. In this regard, NRM will pay adequate attention, on better planning, resource mobilization and deployment free of corruption. NRM campaigners, supporters, cadres and leaders at all levels, but particularly at the subcounty where planning and deliveries are done must be clear and attentive to details. It is correct policy for NRM to keep to the mass line of peace, universal food security, education, healthcare and public infrastructure because they are what will lift majority of Ugandans from poverty, illiteracy, and social backwardness into prosperity, liberation and emancipation. In the election campaigns, NRM will this time round not have a national taskforce as previously done, but rather, the campaigns and vote-hunting will be conducted by all party structures at the grassroot village level supervised by respective upper echelons. This way, it is hoped that resources will be better focused and applied, with as few as possible, incidences of petty and unprincipled conflicts that often undermine or ruin NRM endevours. And obviously, there will be special operations to deal with anticipated political lethargies and even subterfuge. Presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni is planned to hold and will indeed address at least two public rallies covering two districts per day, in addition to other engagements including as a sitting president fully in control of the government and country. It is therefore necessary that NRM cadres and political mobilizers double their efforts beyond the ordinary call of duty in this season so as to ensure that every dimension of this election campaign is well-attended to for a convincing victory. So far, candidate Museveni’s public rallies in Luwero, Amolatar, Dokolo, Otuke and Alebtong districts have been well-organised, attended and massive without any incidents and NRM pledges to continue on that trajectory. To our competitors especially NUP, and FDC, we seek your utmost cooperation so that this election campaign season we have healthy engagement of progressive ideas rather than throwing mud, threats and destructive confrontations you are unable to win. You discuss crowd size, but NRM will focus more on the quality of the pledges back by verifiable facts. It is surprising that Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Greg Mugisha Muntu of the fringe Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) has stayed on an angry rhetoric path against President Museveni which does not add much political value to his own election campaign. I know Mugisha Muntu as an obdurate personality, but someone needs to advise him to change the tone, otherwise good luck.

National News

article img

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PLEDGES TO FIX ZOMBO ROAD NETWORK, IMPROVE SERVICES AS HE COURTS WEST NILE VOTE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer in the forthcoming 2026 general elections, has promised to address the long-standing problem of poor road infrastructure in Zombo District and to further expand other economic and social facilities in the area. The President, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, pledged on Saturday 11th, October 2025, while addressing a campaign rally at Zombo Upper Primary School playground. The rally drew thousands of residents from across the district and surrounding areas as the NRM leader sought to consolidate support in the West Nile sub-region. President Museveni told the cheering crowd that his government has already made concrete plans to rehabilitate and upgrade the main road network in Zombo, saying the project will commence next year. “The contract for the construction of the road from Nebbi to Zombo will be signed in April 2026. It will then be followed by the road from Zombo to Vura,” President Museveni revealed, drawing loud applause from supporters. He explained that the road from Nebbi through Goli to Zombo and onward to Vura is part of the wider national road network development plan that the NRM government has been implementing progressively across the country. “When NRM came into power, the tarmac road ended at Karuma. We have since extended it to Gulu, and from there to Koboko. From Malaba up to Bundibugyo, from Nimule to Kisoro, the tarmac now stretches across Uganda. The Nebbi–Zombo–Vura Road is part of this plan,” President Museveni said. He dismissed claims that the government had ignored the area, noting that national priorities had first focused on opening up the main transit corridors before extending to interior roads such as those in Zombo. “The Nebbi–Goli road is only 16 kilometers and from Goli to Vura is 118 kilometers. You cannot say NRM cannot do that because we have already done over 1,000 kilometers elsewhere,” he said, adding that maintenance of existing murram roads would continue until all major road projects are completed. President Museveni emphasized that road connectivity is vital for trade and cross-border relations, especially for a district like Zombo which shares boundaries with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan. Peace and Stability: President Museveni used the rally to underline the NRM’s track record in ensuring national stability, asserting that peace remains the foundation for all development efforts. “It is only the NRM that has managed to secure peace from border to border because of our politics of unity and caring for the people,” he said. He recalled that the NRM’s roots go back over six decades, when he and other young activists broke away from the old political parties such as the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and Kabaka Yekka (KY) after realizing their limitations. “NRM has been active for 65 years. We saw the problem with the old parties — they were based on religion, tribe, and sectarianism. That is why they failed to manage the country. You cannot build a national army or achieve stability through divisive politics,” President Museveni stated. He cited past instability in Northern Uganda and West Nile, saying that the old armies collapsed because they were built along tribal lines. “Because of sectarianism, even good soldiers like Brigadier Hussein were killed. But now we have peace because of two things — unity and a strong national army,” President Museveni said. He reminded residents that, being close to DRC and South Sudan, they have firsthand experience of the instability in neighboring countries and should appreciate Uganda’s peace. “You know what happens in Congo and South Sudan. Refugees come here because we have peace and stability. That is why NRM must continue,” he said. Expanding access to education in Zombo: On education, the President pledged to ensure that all sub-counties in Zombo District have at least one government secondary school within the next term. Zombo District currently has 15 sub-counties, of which seven have government secondary schools, while eight still lack one. There are eight government secondary schools and one private secondary school serving a total enrollment of about 3,831 students. “In the next term, we shall ensure that all sub-counties without a government school get one,” President Museveni assured. He pointed to the ongoing construction of four Seed Secondary Schools, Atyak, Abanga, Kango, and Alangi — which will significantly reduce the gap once completed. For primary education, the district has 92 government primary schools and 14 private schools spread across 61 parishes, though 17 parishes still lack a government primary school. President Museveni said government efforts will continue until all parishes are adequately covered. Health services: The President also addressed concerns over limited healthcare services in the district, promising to elevate Paidha Health Centre III to Health Centre IV and to follow up on plans for establishing a district hospital in Zombo. “I will take up the issue of your district hospital,” President Museveni assured the crowd. On wealth creation, President Museveni urged residents to take full advantage of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other government initiatives designed to lift households out of poverty. “Even if we tarmac the roads, and you have no wealth in your homes, it will not benefit you. Everyone must participate in wealth creation,” the President said. He explained that NRM’s philosophy emphasizes both development — such as public infrastructure — and wealth, which is personal and generated within households. “NRM from the beginning added the word ‘wealth’ because it is private and personal. When you go back home after using a tarmac road, poverty will welcome you unless you are productive,” President Museveni said. He noted that Zombo District, with 61 parishes, has so far received Shs 18.7 billion under PDM. Of this, Shs 18.3 billion (97.7%) has been disbursed to 18,646 beneficiary households, representing about 26% of the total 71,491 households in the district. President Museveni said the government plans to increase PDM parish SACCO funding by Shs 15 million to support local leadership and to ensure that more families move from subsistence to the money economy. “What I appeal to you is that every family should get out of poverty. Once you have wealth, you will be able to buy more goods, pay for electricity, and support churches and mosques,” he said. “In football, we have players and spectators. In wealth creation, we don’t want spectators — everyone must be a player.” The President also announced plans to establish a special fund for university graduates who have spent at least two years without employment to enable them to start their own enterprises. He further hinted at creating a fund for church and mosque leaders to support their work in community mobilization. On her part, Maama Janet commended the people of Zombo for supporting government programs and reaffirmed the commitment to improving the education sector. “I thank you for the warm welcome. Let us continue to vote for NRM so that we keep the peace and unity that our children and grandchildren deserve,” she said. “Uganda must remain united and free from divisions. The refugees we host are a reminder that our peace should never be taken for granted.” Consistent support for NRM: Zombo has historically been a stronghold of the NRM, having consistently voted for President Museveni in past elections. In the 2021 presidential elections, President Museveni secured 45,578 votes, representing 76.08% of the total 64,591 votes cast. The National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate polled 9,111 votes (15.2%), while other candidates shared 5,217 votes (8.8%). At the time, Zombo had 123,432 registered voters, with a voter turnout of 52.3%. According to the Electoral Commission register for 2025, the district now has 149,412 registered voters and 363 polling stations, up from 220 in 2021 — reflecting a significant growth in voter registration and administrative expansion. Zombo District, with a population of 312,621 according to the 2024 population census, has two constituencies, 15 sub-counties/town councils, 61 parishes, and 752 villages. Despite its strong NRM support base, local leaders acknowledged that poor road infrastructure remains a major challenge affecting service delivery and mobilization. President Museveni’s rally in Zombo followed his campaign meeting earlier in the day at Namrwodho Primary School in Nebbi District. The NRM presidential flag bearer launched his West Nile campaign trail in Pakwach earlier in the week, focusing on consolidating support and reinforcing NRM’s message of peace, development, and prosperity. The Zombo event was attended by several senior government and party officials, including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, Minister of State for Investment, Hon. Evelyn Anite, NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Dennis Hamson Obua, and NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Region Hon. Jonard Asiimwe, as well as Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and the general public. Hon. Obua urged residents to vote for President Museveni and NRM to sustain the gains made in peace and infrastructure development. “President Museveni knows the plans he has for Zombo District, including the roads and education. Let us protect the peace and development that Northern Uganda has enjoyed for the first time since independence,” Hon. Obua said. The NRM candidate will resume his campaign rallies on Monday next week.

2025-10-12

article img

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI, FIRST LADY JANET PAY TRIBUTE TO LATE MATHEW RICHARD RUBAHAMA KAZOORA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni yesterday evening joined the family of the late John Kazoora to pay tribute to Mathew Richard Rubahama Kazoora at their family home in Makindye, Kampala. The late Mathew, aged 63, died on 1st September 2025 in London. He was born to the late John Kazoora and Gwendine and was the second born of five children: Max, Vanessa, Susan and Mark. Mathew pursued a Degree in Law and Sociology and later advanced with a Master’s in International Relations from the United Kingdom. In his heartfelt speech, President Museveni expressed gratitude to the late John Kazoora for his contributions while alive and recalled memories connected to the compound. “I’m here in this compound after a very long time. On 4th February 1981, Maama left me here with Patience and Diana and went through the airport to Nairobi, but she had some drama at the airport earlier alone. Ms. Kakwano had taken Muhoozi and Natasha through the land border through Malaba, this was in order to get out of the way because we were planning to attack Kabamba on the 6th of February so when she left, on 5th,I spent the whole day here and in town but later left at around 5 O’clock to follow the men group which was going to attack, I don’t know whether I have been back here again here but that’s what I remember about this place,” President Museveni said. “Because the government came to know that I had sprung from here they came and damaged the house, when John was alive we tried to repair it, I don’t remember the details very well but we have always been ready to repair it because John played a very big role in our struggle so I felt I should correct this because John contributed a lot in our struggle,” he emphasised. President Museveni went on to speak about building a family legacy and cautioned the family about internal division. He urged the Kazoora family to repent, forgive and reconcile. “Now that you have seen this tragedy of how Mathew died, therefore now, the only requirement you need is repenting, forgiving one another, reconciling and forgetting.” “Therefore, I think on a wider society, with these what we call modernity, you need to go back to some basics about life, family, black-hood and fraternity , so that we avoid damage because people die, Henry ford who invented automobile died long time but even if you go today you find the Ford company working,” he said. He also advised all Ugandans on inheritance and family wealth. “And I have been telling all Ugandans the capitalistic smart way of inheritance where they started using shares instead of physical division. How are you going to divide these properties, this is one property, how are you going to divide it, he asked? Why don’t you take it all of you as a family company and you have shares. If it’s like a hotel for instance,” he urged. “So, I think the death of Mathew will be meaningful if we learn from it whatever mistakes that were made, if they are corrected then it will be remembered that Mathew’s death was a turning point for the Kazoora family.” On her part, Maama Janet thanked President Museveni for assisting to bring Mathew’s body back home. “I want to thank Mzee for enabling us to bring Mathew’s body back home which gives us a chance to see Mathew’s body at Makindye for the last time,” she said. “This is the only home Mathew ever knew in Uganda. It’s where he grew up and spent his childhood and what a happy time that was! Therefore, that’s why I so much wanted his body to come here for the last time before going to Mbarara for the funeral. I thought it was necessary for us to meet here for the last time to mourn Mathew’s death together and bid farewell and I thank God that we could do this.” Maama Janet related her remarks to the theme of the prayer breakfast “the power of forgiveness and reconciliation” and urged the mourners to believe in God and to allow God to lead them to forgiveness. “It was my prayer that you allow God to lead you to forgive each other and may Mathew’s death be a turning point for all of you to bring you back together to forgive and reconcile as children of the same father and mother.” She called for unity among the remaining siblings so that the property their parents left behind becomes a blessing and, in a sombre tone, encouraged them to believe in God to fulfil their life purposes. “Mathew was a very good friend of mine, but we have had a problem since your parents died trying to pull you together as you pull yourselves apart and it’s been very painful,” she emphasised. The event was also attended by Hon. Sam Kutesa, family members, among other mourners.

2025-10-11

article img

NEBBI: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CALLS ON VOTERS TO SUPPORT NRM AND MAINTAIN PEACE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM Presidential Flagbearer, has energized a massive crowd during a campaign rally today in Nebbi District. He was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni. The rally began with prayers led by His Grace Archbishop Luke Orombi, who asked for a peaceful election period and for the continued unity and prosperity of Uganda. Thousands of excited supporters filled the venue, waving flags, singing, and cheering as the President addressed the crowd. The atmosphere was full of energy as he shared his vision for keeping Uganda peaceful, improving development, and ensuring stability across the country. The campaign is running under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”. Speaking first, Maama Janet reminded Ugandans of the importance of safeguarding the peace that the country enjoys. “We are in an electoral season. Every person who has a vote carries a responsibility, to vote for peace, to vote for stability, and to vote for continued progress,” she said. “Some of you may not know where Uganda has come from. Do not play with the peace and freedom God has given us. Development, prosperity, and transformation all depend on the peace and freedom we enjoy today.” Her remarks set the stage for the President to address his supporters, highlighting his achievements and plans for the next term. NRM Brings Peace, Unity and Development: President Museveni reflected on his life-long service to Uganda, emphasizing his role as the NRM Presidential Flagbearer. “For 65 years, NRM has been working to unite and develop Uganda. As your Presidential Flagbearer, I am here to continue this mission,” he said. “I congratulate my young brother, His Grace Archbishop Luke Orombi upon reaching 76 years old. I am 81, and of those years, 65 have been dedicated to Uganda and Africa.” The President credited Uganda’s long-standing peace to NRM’s ideology, which rejects division by tribe, religion, or gender. “In the past, political parties were divided along religious or tribal lines. That is why no party could win a majority at independence. NRM built a national movement that unites all Ugandans,” he said. This unity, he noted, has allowed Uganda to build strong institutions like the army, judiciary, and state administrative systems. Infrastructure and Development in West Nile: President Museveni highlighted NRM’s achievements in roads, electricity, water, and communications. “Even when resources were limited, we made sure the road from Karuma reached here. I am delighted that West Nile is now fully connected to the national electricity grid all the way to Koboko. We are also working on the Nebbi–Goli road,” he said. He added that Uganda has seen a remarkable leap in telecommunications. “When NRM came to government, there were only 23,000 telephone lines. Today, we have 28 million telephones.” On social services, the President celebrated progress in education and health but emphasized ongoing needs. “In the 1960s, there were no A-Level schools in Northern Uganda. Today, Nebbi alone has eight. This is progress, but we are not done,” he said. “In the next government, we will enforce free education, increase teachers by 50,000, and ensure every parish has a primary school and every sub-county a secondary school.” He also committed to completing health facilities in all sub-counties. “Out of 16 sub-counties, 10 have health centers. We shall ensure the remaining six also have access to quality health services,” he pledged. President Museveni reiterated that true development must translate into household wealth. “Some leaders talk about development like roads, hospitals, schools but people go home to poverty. The Parish Development Model (PDM) is designed to bring wealth to every household,” he said. The NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Hamson Obua, praised President Museveni as “the pacifier of peace in northern Uganda.” “When we talk of peace and development in Northern Uganda, it is only President Museveni who has delivered. He is dependable, reliable, and the guarantor of stability,” he said. Hon. Emmanuel Urombi, NRM District Chairman, thanked the President for his leadership and development programs. “Over 300 youth trained in the Presidential Skilling Hub. The district’s connection to the national grid has opened doors for agro-industrial growth,” he said. Nebbi District, with a population of 299,398 and 63 parishes, has made remarkable progress under government programs. Through the Parish Development Model, the district has received Shs 18.6bn, benefiting over 20,000 households. The district also boasts 89 government primary schools, 7 secondary schools, and four new Seed Secondary Schools are under construction. In conclusion, President Museveni appealed to the people of Nebbi to vote for the NRM Parliamentary Flagbearers and support the NRM to safeguard the country’s hard-earned gains. “I urge the people of Nebbi to vote for our NRM Members of Parliament and support the NRM across the board to represent you well. Let us protect the peace, freedom, and development we have built together,” he said. The event was also graced by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, among others.

2025-10-11

article img

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI OFFICIATES AT THE CLOSURE OF THE AFRO-ARAB YOUTH CONGRESS 2025

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officiated at the closure of the Afro-Arab Youth Congress 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, urging young people across Africa and the Arab world to embrace ideology, unity, and innovation as tools for peace and prosperity. The five-day congress, held under the theme: “Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity and Prosperity,” ran from October 6 to 10, 2025, bringing together youth leaders, government officials, diplomats, and representatives from across Africa and the Arab world to chart a new course for collaboration and progress. The President noted that Africa’s population currently stands at 1.5 billion people and is projected to reach 2.5 billion in the next 30 years, saying this demographic shift positions the continent as the future of global growth. “You young people need to know that you belong to the future of the world. The future belongs here in the Afro-Arab world,” he said. He observed that while Africa is blessed with favorable weather and abundant natural resources, the same environment also supports challenges such as tsetse flies and malaria. “Africa has a good climate, but that climate is also good for Africa’s enemies like tsetse flies, malaria, and other diseases,” the President remarked, stressing the need for young innovators to find homegrown solutions to such problems. President Museveni identified ten strategic bottlenecks that continue to hold Africa back, emphasizing that ideological disorientation remains one of the most dangerous. He explained that Africa’s political weakness has often stemmed from focusing on identity rather than shared interests. “The most important question in politics is: is it about identity or about interests?” he said. “In the case of Sudan, some people destroyed their country by introducing politics of identity — of tribe and religion. Even here in Uganda, some tried to bring it, but we rejected it. We said what we need is politics of interest, because prosperity comes from selling a good or a service, not from tribalism.” He added that political parties that dwell on tribal or sectarian lines cannot build strong national movements. “How can you have a political party that can win elections if you are emphasizing tribes?” he asked, warning that such divisions destroy nations rather than building them. The President also cited a fragmented market as another obstacle to Africa’s progress, noting that meaningful development requires production supported by consumers with purchasing power. “Development comes when you produce a good or service. You must have a society of wealth creators. But Africa is divided into 55 small markets — who will buy what you produce?” he asked. He pointed out that while regional blocs such as the East African Community (EAC) and ECOWAS exist, they are not yet fully functional, while the Maghreb Union could not take off because of internal challenges. He therefore challenged the youth to embrace ideology-driven leadership. “What is your ideology?” he asked. “I recommend to you the ideology of patriotism — love your country, whichever it is — but also be young Pan-Africanists because Uganda cannot thrive without Africa.” President Museveni said Ugandans have learned that their internal market alone cannot sustain production, as the country now produces surpluses of nearly everything. “Ugandans used to be sectarian, but after waking up they realized that the internal market is not enough for their goods,” he explained. “Ideology is like a medical prescription — if it is wrong, the patient will die.” President Museveni also launched a fundraising drive for the Afro-Arab Youth Congress, aimed at strengthening youth empowerment programs across Africa and the Arab world. Ms. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, the Special Envoy to the African Union Chairperson on Youth and Gender Issues, applauded President Museveni for giving women and young people a strong voice in leadership. “We thank President Museveni for giving a platform to women. Uganda is an example to the continent because its Cabinet includes women at the highest levels — the Vice President, the Prime Minister, and several other key ministers.” The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya Kithure Kindiki praised the Afro-Arab Youth Congress as a bridge between the two regions, saying it provides “a vital forum for building understanding and cooperation between Africa and the Arab world.” He emphasized that youth are at the center of enterprise and innovation. “Young people today are creating enterprises that offer new solutions. They are not just leaders of tomorrow — they are leaders of today.” Reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to regional cooperation, he added, “To the youth, this is your time to stand. The future is not promised — it is created.” Representing His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE delegation reaffirmed the Emirates’ belief in youth as drivers of transformation. “We firmly believe in the youth as changemakers,” he said. “In the UAE, we launched a national youth agenda to empower young people to shape the future. My dear youth, we believe in you — you have the passion and energy to transform our world.” The President of the Afro-Arab Youth Congress, H.E Abdul Haddi Lahweej underscored the shared destiny between Africa and the Arab world, saying, “Arab and African nations live side by side and face similar challenges.” He revealed that Libya is “providing thousands of jobs to support youth and help rebuild our nation,” and questioned why Africa, with its abundant resources, remains poor. “How can Africa, with all its wealth, still be poor?” he asked. Africa needs to push its pace and change how it does business if we are to catch up with the rest of the world.” He also called for peace and a united stand against oppression, especially in Palestine. “Africa must push for peace and stop wars. We must also strongly condemn oppression against Palestinians because peace is not an option — it is a necessity.”

2025-10-10

article img

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI MEETS RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR VLADLEN SEMIVOLOS AND MINISTER BELLA CHERKESOVA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday met and held fruitful discussions with H.E. Vladlen Semivolos, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Uganda and Ms. Bella Cherkesova, Russia's Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media. In a meeting held at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni and his guests discussed key areas of mutual interest and explored avenues for deepening cooperation between Uganda and Russia.

2025-10-09

article img

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WELCOMES COL. SAMSON MANDE BACK TO UGANDA, CALLS FOR CONTINUED PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND REGIONAL UNITY

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has saluted peace-loving Ugandans and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for ensuring sustained stability across the country, describing peace as the foundation upon which Uganda’s progress stands. Speaking during the 63rd Independence Day celebrations today at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the President said that all achievements the country is experiencing today are largely attributed to the prevailing peace and security. The national event was graced by the Deputy President of Kenya, ambassadors, government officials, religious leaders, and cultural leaders, among other dignitaries who joined Ugandans in celebrating the country’s continued journey of peace and development. “I need to salute the peace-loving Ugandans and the UPDF for ensuring peace in Uganda. All that is happening is, first and foremost, on account of the peace that is available. This peace is lubricated by the long-standing NRM policy of reconciliation and forgiveness, on top of our firm stand against crime,” President Museveni said. The President emphasized that the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) policy of forgiveness and reconciliation has played a vital role in uniting Ugandans, rebuilding relationships, and fostering national stability over the years. In a significant moment of the day, President Museveni welcomed his former comrade, Col. Samson Mande, who has been living in exile for years after falling out with the government. The President praised Col. Mande for choosing to return home, describing his decision as a testament to Uganda’s open and reconciliatory approach. “Even today, I am happy to welcome back into peaceful Uganda, Col. Samson Mande, who had fled into exile on account of, apparently, some internal intrigue,” President Museveni said. “While in exile, he tried to engage in some rebel activities. When, however, our cadres contacted him in Sweden, he happily agreed to come back and disconnect himself from the rebel activities.” The President recalled Col. Mande’s contribution to Uganda’s liberation struggle, noting his service as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the TPDF under Major General Silas Mayunga in 1979, and later as commander of the 15th Battalion during the Siege of Masaka in 1985. “I remember Samson Mande in 1979 operating as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the TPDF under Major-General Silas Mayunga in Mbarara. I was commanding the 9,000-strong Fronasa fighting force. Later, Mande did a good job as commander of the 15th Battalion in the Siege of Masaka in 1985 and in subsequent assignments. We welcome him,” he said. The President also reflected on Uganda’s journey over the last six decades, saying that by the country’s 10th Independence Anniversary, Uganda was under “envious dictatorship,” and by the 20th anniversary, the once small economy based on three Cs and three Ts — coffee, cotton, copper, and tobacco, tea, and tourism — had completely collapsed. He said Ugandans were surviving on magendo (black-market trading) and forex rackets before the NRM came in to rescue the country. “I am happy to inform Ugandans that by June 2026, the economy of Uganda will have grown to USD 66.9 billion in size using the forex exchange method, or USD 197.9 billion using the purchasing power parity method,” the President said. “In this financial year, the economy will grow by seven percent, and after the flow of oil, it will grow by double digits.” He added that with the rise of many factories and the production of goods within the country, Uganda is now unstoppable. “No one will stand in our way to development,” he said. The President explained that Uganda has gone through five phases of transformation — from minimum recovery, to expansion, to diversification, to value addition, and now moving into technology — noting that institutions like Kiira Motors represent the next phase of industrial advancement. He further emphasized that the country must now focus on two critical fronts: economic integration and political integration of the East African Community (EAC). “What we need to work on now are two issues — economic integration of East Africa to ensure a big market, and political integration of East Africa resulting in a political federation of our region and the whole of Africa,” he said. “The remaining part is to engage with our brothers and sisters from Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Burundi, Congo, and Somalia to strengthen our market.” President Museveni reiterated that Uganda’s development and progress are rooted in the peace and reconciliation nurtured by the NRM government, and he urged all Ugandans to protect and build upon it. Col. Mande, in turn, expressed gratitude to the President and government for welcoming him back, pledging to work with the government in promoting peace and national unity.

2025-10-09


Warning: mysqli::__construct(): (HY000/1040): Too many connections in /home/mediacentrego/public_html/database/db_connection.php on line 8
Connection failed: Too many connections