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

SFC AND POLICE LEADERSHIP COMMENDED FOR ENHANCING NATIONAL SECURITY THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

The Special Forces Command (SFC) and Uganda Police Force have been applauded for enhancing national security through continued cooperation between the two institutions. This was during the pass-out of 125 Presidential Protection Guard (PPG) officers who completed a four-month Tier 2 VVIP protection course at VVIPTS–Sera Kasenyi on Saturday 22nd November 2025. The Chief guest, Brig Gen. Paul Namawa, the SFC Chief of Staff, thanked the SFC Commander and the Inspector General of Police for supporting joint training efforts that enhance national security. He emphasized that the long-standing partnership between the PPG and SFC is crucial for protecting VVIPs and responding to wider security demands. He echoed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s guidance on coordinated security operations, warning against “blind deployment” that overworks personnel and increases unnecessary costs. Brig Gen. Namawa congratulated the graduates and reminded them to uphold professionalism and the values of courage, loyalty, consciousness, integrity, and ideological clarity as they begin their duties. The training school Commandant Maj. Samson Mucunguzi expressed gratitude to the UPDF leadership—particularly Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Maj Gen. David Mugisha—for the continuous support and thanked the Police Force for entrusting the school with training its officers. He commended instructors for their commitment and called on graduates to remain disciplined, healthy, and focused. Col. Wilson Bagonza, the 3SFG Commander, urged the trainees to embrace patriotism, nationalism, and Pan-Africanism as guiding principles in both peace- and war-time service. He praised their demonstrated skills in drills, shooting, and martial arts, cautioning them to maintain physical fitness and avoid corruption, sectarianism, intrigue, and the lure of a “soft life.” Representing the IGP, Commissioner of Police Simon Okosh lauded the SFC for providing elite, internationally respected training and told graduates to consider themselves privileged to have learned from highly skilled instructors. He encouraged them to maintain discipline and professionalism, noting that the partnership between the UPDF, SFC, and Police continues to raise security standards. He dismissed claims that the army had taken over election security, reaffirming that the Police remains the lead agency, with UPDF providing support under police command.

2025-11-24

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES WESTERN UGANDA CAMPAIGN TRAIL, APPEALS FOR SUPPORT TO PROTECT THE GAINS

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on Monday, 24th November 2025, made a spirited appeal to Ugandans to rally behind the National Resistance Movement (NRM), emphasising the party’s role in securing peace, development, and socio-economic transformation over nearly four decades. Addressing thousands of jubilant supporters at Saaza Grounds in Kisoro District, the NRM national chairman and 2026 presidential flag bearer kicked off his first major rally in western Uganda as he intensified his re-election bid. President Museveni, welcomed with thunderous chants from supporters who filled the expansive grounds, said the country still needs the NRM to consolidate the gains achieved and to drive Uganda toward high middle-income status. “The reasons we are here are to ask you to support the National Resistance Movement and to give you the reasons why,” he said. “People move around saying, ‘support me, support me,’ but ask them what they have done for the country. Uganda has had many problems — sugar shortages, cement, salt, clothes — but we have solved many of them. Most of the work has been done by the NRM,” he added. The President reiterated the campaign theme: “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into a High Middle-income Status”, saying the next phase of Uganda’s transformation requires continuity, discipline, and prioritisation of wealth creation at the household level. President Museveni also highlighted what he termed the seven major contributions of the NRM, beginning with peace, which he said remains the foundation of all progress. “You, the people of Kisoro, know the importance of peace,” he told the cheering crowd, referencing the once-volatile border region and praising residents for supporting government efforts to secure the area. The second contribution, he said, is development, citing improvements in transport, electricity, communication, and education over the years. He pointed to road upgrades from Kampala to Mbarara and Kisoro, and promised the completion of additional critical routes, including the Kabale–Kisoro–Mgahinga National Park road, which is under construction, and the Kisoro–Muko–Rukiri–Katoojo road. President Museveni said the education sector in Kisoro has greatly expanded under the NRM, with 136 government primary schools and 14 government secondary schools offering Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-O-Level Education and Training. However, he expressed concern over the unequal distribution of government schools across the district’s 71 parishes. Of these, 45 parishes have at least one government primary school, while 26 parishes remain without any. “There are parishes with more than one government primary school, leaving 26 without. This is not good,” President Museveni said. “Government schools should be distributed fairly.” At the secondary level, out of 24 sub-counties, 10 still have no government secondary school. Wealth Creation: President Museveni used the Kisoro rally to revisit one of his long-standing messages: distinguishing development from wealth. “We have tarmac roads up to Bunagana and Cyanika to Kabale, but people don’t sleep on the road,” he said. “That is why NRM emphasises wealth creation for every household,” he added, highlighting the success stories that demonstrate the potential of Uganda’s rural economy when the right agricultural models are adopted. One example was George Matongo of Ngoma, Nakaseke, who, despite living 70 miles from the nearest tarmac road, produces 900 litres of milk daily, earning around Shs. 21 million monthly. “Development may still be lacking, but wealth is there,” President Museveni said. “That is why we tell you to create wealth, and the tarmac road will find you.” He also revisited the 4-acre model, first introduced in the 1996 manifesto, which encourages smallholder farmers to diversify into high-value enterprises, including coffee, fruits, dairy, poultry, piggery, and fish farming. President Museveni spoke of Joseph Basangwa, a prominent poultry farmer from Kamuli, who turned to farming after failing to win a district leadership seat in 2007. “Basangwa is selling 110,000 eggs a day, earning Shs 20 million daily — that’s Shs 600 million a month and Shs 7.2 billion a year,” President Museveni said. “He listened to our message. I advised him to join wealth creation, and now he employs 300 people.” On employment, President Museveni stressed that jobs come from four sectors: commercial agriculture, industry and manufacturing, services and ICT. He highlighted the growing contribution of industrialisation, citing factories that now employ 1.3 million Ugandans, compared to 480,000 on the government payroll. President Museveni singled out the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park, which hosts over 75 factories, as an example of NRM’s deliberate strategy to promote manufacturing. Even small enterprises, he said, are central to job creation, praising young people trained under the Presidential Skilling Hubs for using hands-on vocational skills to start businesses in welding, carpentry, tailoring, hairdressing, bakery, leather design, and construction. According to the President, Uganda has made significant progress under the NRM, but it needs stability and continuity to secure a prosperous future. “With your support, we shall consolidate the achievements and continue transforming Uganda,” he said. Several top NRM leaders accompanied the NRM Presidential candidate to Kisoro and echoed calls for unity and overwhelming support for the President in the upcoming 2026 elections. Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among, the NRM Second National Vice Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament, thanked President Museveni for transforming Uganda. “The people in the north and east have promised 90% of the votes. From Kisoro to Masindi, we expect you to vote 100%,” said Rt. Hon. Among. She also praised the improved road network in western Uganda. “I have passed on this road from Kabale to Kisoro, and I must confess, it is a beautiful road,” she said, adding that Ugandans would vote for NRM to express gratitude for the peace and development the country has enjoyed. “I wonder when people come here and say you have done nothing. The votes we are giving you this time are for appreciating what you have done,” she stressed. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa described President Museveni’s decision to begin his western Uganda campaigns in Kisoro as “a sign of love,” and urged residents to maintain unity, while the NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda, Hon. Asiimwe Jonard, said the region remains a stronghold for the party. “The gains in western Uganda are many. We are going to support the party as children of NRM,” Hon. Asiimwe said, calling for unity under the party. The Kisoro rally drew a powerful team of NRM heavyweights, including the NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and Prominent Kisoro personalities, including Gen. Kale Kayihura and King Ceasor Mulenga.

2025-11-24

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI VOWS TO ENHANCE INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSEHOLD WEALTH IN RUBANDA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, has today pledged to strengthen peace, improve key road networks and deepen household income initiatives in Rubanda District. Speaking at a campaign rally in Rubanda, the President said the NRM’s 2026–2031 Manifesto will focus on the continuation of Uganda’s journey of peace, development, and prosperity for all Ugandans. He told residents that communities in Kisoro and Rubanda understand the value of stability because of their proximity to conflict-affected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “After defeating Kony and the other rebel groups that once disturbed our people, we secured this peace. And we must protect it,” he said. The President highlighted infrastructure development as a major pillar of his next term, citing completed works such as the Kabale–Kisoro Road. He confirmed that the government has secured funding for the Katuna–Muko–Kamuganguzi Road. He assured residents that the Kisoro–Nkuringo–Buguri–Buko Road, the Kabale–Bunyonyi–Kisoro–Mgahinga route and the Hamurwa– Kerere– Kanungu– Kanyantorogo–Butogota–Buhoma/Ifasha–Ikumba stretch will all be upgraded. “These strategic roads will boost tourism, improve access to markets and increase incomes,” he said. Reiterating a campaign he began in the 1960s, the President praised the cattle corridor communities who heeded his early call for economic transformation. “I’m very glad the dairy farmers of 1964–65 listened. We told them to stop moving from place to place trying to run from foot and mouth disease. They listened and now, they’re earning big,” he said. He then advocated for intensive agriculture, especially for families with limited land. “If you have a small piece of land say two acres and you grow cotton or tobacco, you get little per year. But you must produce a good or service for sale and you must do it with ekibalo (calculation),” he said. Explaining the Four-Acre Model first introduced in the 1996 NRM Manifesto, he elaborated, “If you have four acres, do seven things: One acre for coffee , it can bring you Shs15 million a year. The second acre for fruits, the third for pasture you can support cows on one acre.” “The fourth for food crops for the family. In the backyard, do poultry for eggs, piggery if you're not a Muslim, and fish farming if you're near swamps. Fish farming brings a lot of money. One acre accommodates four ponds which make up to Shs80 million a year.” On the Parish Development Model (PDM), the President reminded beneficiaries that the funds are not giveaways but community-owned investments. “This PDM is your bank. It is not a handout, it’s a revolving fund meant to uplift you from poverty, those who have received the money must ensure it is put to good use and repaid after two years so that others can also benefit,” he noted. He also issued a stern warning against misuse or neglect of the program. “This money belongs to you and your community. If you misuse it or fail to repay, you deny others a chance to improve their livelihoods. The President also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Rubanda District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections. The Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), also member of Parliament, Rubanda East Constituency, Hon. Henry Musasizi thanked the President for expanded services in education, health, water and electricity. He reported progress in government schools, health centre upgrades and rural water systems. “However, Your Excellency, we request that you enforce the police to curb crime like theft in the villages. This is one of those issues we are facing here,” he noted. Former Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda welcomed President Museveni to Kigezi and urged residents to maintain their support as they have always done. NRM impact in Rubanda: Rubanda District has registered notable progress in the education sector, with 110 government primary schools and 81 private ones now serving learners across the district. The area also has nine government secondary schools and 29 privately run institutions. Government-aided secondary schools continue to offer Universal Secondary Education and UPOLET, with current enrolment standing at 5,381 students. Out of the district’s 70 parishes, 45 have at least one government primary school, while ongoing construction of two Seed Secondary Schools is expected to reduce the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school from ten to eight once completed. The district has outlined a series of interventions to improve the health centers, including the upgrading of Muko HCIV and the elevation of Kiyebe, Kaara, Ihunga, Kagarama, Mugyera and Kashasha health centres to HCIII status. New HC IIIs are also planned for Bubaare, Kacere and Katojo. Rubanda West currently hosts a general hospital, while Rubanda East has a functioning HCIV, each staffed with two medical doctors. Access to water and sanitation remains mixed. Of the 476 villages in Rubanda, 54% have access to a safe water source, leaving 46% unserved. Recent improvements include the protection of twelve springs, construction of the Nyakasazi Gravity Flow Scheme and completion of the Burimbe piped water system. The district has also rehabilitated the Rwanseza and Ruboroga gravity flow schemes and expanded town water systems in Rubanda, Hamurwa, Bubaare, Bufundi, Muko, Kacerere, Nyamweru and several other centres, delivering safe water to tens of thousands of residents. Ongoing works involve additional protected springs, installation of rainwater harvesting tanks in selected institutions and an expansion programme in Butare–Katojo aimed at extending safe water to hard-to-reach villages. Future plans include new piped water systems for Nshanjare, Katojo and Mugyera town councils. In the energy sector, Rubanda is now fully connected to the national grid. The government says its next phase will focus on extending electricity to the remaining ten sub-counties which Hamurwa, Bubare, Ikumba, Bufundi, Bubaare, Butare–Katojo, Habuhutu–Mugyera, Kacerere and Ruhija. On economic empowerment, district data shows Rubanda has 63,754 households, of which 20,733 have so far benefited from the Parish Development Model. The district has cumulatively received Shs 21.1bn under the programme, with 96.66 percent of the funds already disbursed to beneficiaries. Rubanda further hosts 32 Emyooga SACCOs with a combined membership of 20,963 people, and these have collectively received Shs 1.76bn to support enterprise growth. The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

2025-11-24

PRESIDENTS MUSEVENI AND RUTO BREAK GROUND FOR USD 500 MILLION DEVKI MEGA STEEL PLANT, PLEDGE INDUSTRIAL LIBERATION FOR AFRICA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his Kenyan counterpart William Samoei Ruto today presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of USD 500 million Devki Mega Steel Plant in Kayoro Village, Osukuru County, Tororo District, marking the start of one of East Africa’s most ambitious industrial investments. The vertically integrated steel facility, developed by Kenyan industrialist Dr. Narendra Raval (Guru) of the Devki Group, will employ 15,000 Ugandans in Tororo and Mbarara at commencement. Dr. Raval emphasized that the majority of these jobs will come from the integrated steel operations and related activities supported by investments already made in Tororo, Mbarara, and the upcoming Kabale Iron Ore refinery. President Museveni placed the event within Africa’s broader historical struggle, noting that the continent has endured centuries of exploitation and economic injustice. He said that for over 500 years, Africa has been losing value through the slave trade, colonial systems, and modern economic practices that extract raw materials without adding value. “Today, with the groundbreaking ceremony of the Devki Mega Steel project in Tororo, alongside H.E President William Ruto of Kenya, we are in the process of liberating Africa,” President Museveni said. He also emphasized that this liberation involves stopping the long-standing trend of exporting African minerals and jobs. “At full operationalization, we shall be one step closer to reversing the squandering of Africa’s resources—human, mineral, jobs, and foreign exchange,” he added. The President thanked H.E Ruto for encouraging Dr. Raval to set up in Uganda, acknowledging Kenya’s recognition that Uganda is a natural source of key raw materials and that regional collaboration is essential for collective prosperity. He congratulated Dr. Raval for investing heavily in Uganda and urged full production of steel sheets and other intermediate products locally so that Uganda keeps value within its borders. President Museveni further revealed that Dr. Raval will also start another major iron ore project in Kabale that will create more than 16,000 jobs, expanding industrial opportunities across the country. He cautioned Ugandans against frustrating investors with compensation disputes and assured that the government would handle necessary payments. “The man is going to invest USD 500 million here, so please don’t bother him about money for compensation. The government will handle that,” he said. President Museveni warned that Uganda loses an estimated USD 5 billion each year through imports that could instead be manufactured domestically. He described Uganda’s current road-based cargo system as “irrational,” welcoming the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway towards Tororo, which he said would support large industries like Devki and lower transport costs. “What is happening here shows you that the future is bright, and the rest will come,” he said. President Ruto said the ceremony was more than the start of a factory; it marked a bold new chapter in Africa’s industrialization and the strengthening of regional value chains. He paid tribute to President Museveni for his long-standing commitment to industrial development and commended the cooperation that brought the Tororo investment to fruition. President Ruto emphasized that the steel plant will generate employment for the youth, support regional supply chains, and anchor East Africa’s self-sufficiency. “We convene here not just to commission a factory, but to usher in a new, audacious chapter in Africa’s industrialization ambitions,” he said. He also praised President Museveni for championing regional integration within the East African Community (EAC), saying the environment of cooperation across the region is what enables projects like Devki Steel to succeed. He noted that the Tororo plant will grow to 20,000 employees across East Africa by 2027 and highlighted Africa’s rising steel demand, projected to increase from 39.5 million tonnes in 2024 to 52 million tonnes by 2034. He said Kenya will, in January, launch the next phase of the Standard Gauge Railway from Mombasa to Naivasha and from Rironi to Malaba, eventually extending to Tororo to support large-scale manufacturing. Dr. Raval, Chairman of Devki Group, thanked President Museveni for guiding the project and insisting that it be built in Tororo to create jobs for the people of the region. He pledged that 90 percent of the factory’s workforce will be Ugandans. “At this juncture, I would like to promise the Tororo community that whatever employment will be in the factory, 90% of the jobs will be allocated to Tororo and the surrounding communities only.” He also stressed that industrialization is the only path to prosperity. “Importing steel is importing poverty,” he said. “We must produce here, create jobs here, and empower the youth.” He also praised President Ruto for stabilizing Kenya’s economy and curbing inflation, saying such reforms have created a conducive environment for regional investors. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga said the Mega Steel Project is an important milestone for East Africa and evidence of deepening regional industrial integration. The Energy Minister, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa described the groundbreaking as a landmark and historic event in Uganda’s industrialization journey. She said the project aligns with the government’s commitment to expanding industrial capacity and emphasized that once completed, the factory must deliver tangible social and economic benefits for communities across the region. Hon. Nankabirwa also thanked President Ruto for his support toward the project and praised the collaboration that made the investment possible.

2025-11-23

FIRST LADY JANET MUSEVENI RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN ICON AWARD

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, has been honoured with the prestigious International Women Icon Award 2025 from Binary University Malaysia. Speaking at the ceremony held yesterday at State House, Entebbe, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni congratulated the First Lady on the milestone, noting that she deserved it. “I therefore congratulate Maama on this award, she deserves it. I also salute Binary University for having that sharpness of perception and for identifying the big contribution of Maama from far away,” he added. President Museveni also recognised Maama’s contributions saying that she has played a central role in his life, noting that her support has helped him establish an enduring legacy. He recalled that during his time in the bushwar, Maama Janet shouldered the full responsibility of raising their children, guiding and protecting them as a sole parent. “She took all the burden and all the pressure, and she did it very well, helped by God. I salute her for helping me to become eternal also looking after those children when I was away,” he added. President Museveni further praised Maama Janet that she is highly gifted in nurturing and running a home. “Beyond that, she is a very gifted home builder, she knows how to do things to build houses. She’s so detailed and sees what I can’t see. I do farming but she is very good with homestead, and I salute her for that,” he remarked. President Museveni also described Maama Janet as a philanthropist whose compassion and humanitarian work continues to touch different lives. “She is a philanthropist. The state should have been the one to take care of the people but it might not have the resources in time so that’s how they came up with UWESO, but they did a wonderful job which the government was unable to do. She started a movement with her colleagues.” He further applauded her for engaging in value driven politics rather than chasing cheap popularity. “When she went for politics which I didn’t support initially, she did it like a dictator. She doesn’t like the politics of pleasing, when she wants something done, she does it immediately and this is what has helped with politics in Ruhaama. That's another angle I have seen in her.” He also commended the First Lady for being a prayer warrior, adding that this has encouraged him to start praying. “I don’t disturb God so much, I pray once in a while, but Maama prays all the time. Now I also pray every day under her command. We pray every night and of course prayers work,” he said. He added that these prayers have played a very significant role in uplifting sports in the country. “Because of those prayers, the sector of sports in Uganda is now a big name internationally. For sports we had not done a lot, we had a few stadiums but, in her time, we have come up and we are shining, this is partly because of Maama’s prayers together with her team,” President Museveni remarked. President Museveni praised the First Lady for being resilient and accepting to go to Karamoja as a Minister, adding that she changed a lot of lives during her tenure. “Before we met, she wasn’t political. She was doing her own things but when God put us together, in time she picked up and got interested and when she went to Karamoja, there were some other people who didn’t want to go but for her she was very eager to go.” The award was presented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor and founding Director for the Centre of Women Leadership, Dr. Rohini Devi. This was in recognition of the First Lady’s exceptional contribution to girls’ education, women empowerment, child welfare, and community development over the years. It also celebrates her dedication to championing value-based leadership, integrity, and service to the nation. Dr. Rohini applauded Maama Janet for her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Ugandan child has access to quality education and a supportive learning environment, noting that her leadership continues to inspire women across Africa. “As a founder of the Centre for women leadership at Binary University, it’s my distinguished honor to present this award to a very wonderful woman who has lifelessly devoted to uplifting the marginalised and transforming lives across the nation,” the Deputy Vice Chancellor said. Dr. Rohini also commended the First Lady for a lifetime devotion to serving humanity and uplifting communities across the country. Dr. Rohini further noted that the First Lady’s life not only reflects public service but personal sacrifice recalling how she cared for her family single handedly when the President fought for Uganda’s liberation. “When her family separated because of war, she had to hustle together with dignity, strength and unwavering faith as Museveni served the cause of Uganda’s liberation.” Dr. Rohini further acknowledged Maama Janet’s longstanding commitment to social welfare, citing her founding forums like Uganda Women's Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO) which transformed the lives of many orphans, those affected by wars and the HIV/AIDs patients, forming the Youth forum to mentor and empower young people. “She is also the founder and patron of the Youth forum which has helped to nurture the values and characters of the youth.” Receiving the award, the First Lady expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing initiatives that uplift families and strengthen Uganda’s social fabric. “It is so humbling to welcome you this evening to our national house in Entebbe, as I receive this noble award the International Woman ICON leader Award,2025,” she said. “I thank all the leadership of Binary University Malaysia led by its founder Professor Joseph Adaikalam, for allowing God to use you to recognise my humble contribution to my homeland because there is no other way you would have heard me. Thank you for coming all the way from Malaysia to confer this noble award upon me. This award is simply a testament to the goodness of the Lord in my life as He alone enabled and empowered me to serve Him,” she said. She went on to thank God for always guiding her throughout her life. “In my life when our family was in exile, God would surprise me from time to time. He would always reveal to me that He is God and He cares,” she revealed. “An example is when He got me and my very young children out of Uganda and later out of Kenya. God would place somebody at the place of our departure to ensure that we are safe.” Maama Janet also recalled that soon after President Museveni took overpower, an enemy in the form of HIV/ AIDS emerged and it was during that time that she founded UWESO to support orphans and children affected by HIV. “Then, hardly the ray of hope started to shine on our nation following the new leadership of the state by my husband in 1986,then an enemy emerged amongst our people in the form of HIV/AIDS,” she said. Maama Janet then reflected that the epidemic served as a wakeup call, bringing back the memories she went through as a refugee and this inspired her to start an organisation to support and save the orphans, war affected people and those who had acquired HIV. “It was God waking me to that memory that helped me start an organization that would care for orphans. We called that organization UWESO and this organization is proud to have rescued, rehabilitated and provided holistic care to orphans,” she remarked. In addition, Maama Janet also highlighted her support to rural women by helping them improve their livelihoods, develop new skills and access opportunities. She also expressed humility over her own contributions especially to the people of Karamoja. “Now of course l am in government, I was the first Minister of Karamoja region, a region where people suffered so much insecurity due to cattle rustling, l am very glad to have contributed to the socio-economic transformation of the people in that region by the Grace of God,” she said. Maama Janet also called upon the young generation to always be inspired by good acts of leaders, be hardworking and patriotic. “My prayer now is that this prestigious award will inspire our young population to lay their own brick on this building called Uganda. May we all be inspired to do our part,” she said. Maama Janet concluded by thanking President Museveni for his support to the programmes aimed at empowering women and improving education outcomes nationwide. Hon. JC Muyingo, the Minister of State for Higher Education gave a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Education. He congratulated the First Lady upon receiving the international woman Icon Award, 2025. “Maama, this esteemed honour from the Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship stands as a profound testament to your steadfast leadership, your God given wisdom and the transformative reforms you continue to champion within our Ministry”, he said. He commended Maama Janet for her visionary leadership, noting that it has helped in widening of new opportunities. “Through your vision, we have witnessed the strengthening of institutions, the advancement of quality education and the widening of opportunities for learners across our nation. Your commitment has yielded real and measurable progress, inspiring us to serve with renewed purpose and dedication,” he remarked. Professor Joseph Adaikalam, the founder and Chancellor Binary University, Malaysia said he was deeply honoured to gather, recognise and celebrate the Maama Janet. “I am deeply honoured to celebrate an exceptional woman whose compassion and commitment to humility continue to inspire the world,” he said. “This award is the highest and most prestigious and only one person receives this award per year in the World,” he said, stating that the most distinguished is Maama Janet this year. He further acknowledged President Museveni’s sincere commitment to transforming Uganda, noting that he has shaped Uganda through productivity, industrialization and the middle-income status which has yielded economic confidence. Binary University Malaysia focuses mainly on entrepreneurship, promoting investment and has nurtured hundreds of young entrepreneurs and it mainly focuses on producing graduates who are not only academically smart but industry ready. The event was also attended by a team from Binary University, government officials, among others.

2025-11-22