Iganga, (UG):– The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryonunsi has been impressed with the mobilization and the art of energizing the NRM party through preaching the gospel of engaging in socio-economic development for increased household incomes and wealth creation by a section of members in Busoga sub-region but Kigulu South Constituency in particular.
Dr Baryonunsi who is also the Kinkizi East County MP was on Saturday in Iganga District as the chief guest at the official launch of Muwuma Foundation Group (MFG) at Iwawu village in Bulamagi Sub-county.
The foundation, initiated by supporters of Kigulu South constituency MP Hon Milton Muwuma Kalulu aims to spur income generation at the household level and it’s under the MP’s patronage.
During the function, several concerns were raised by area leaders calling upon the government to respond so as not to suffer the consequences in the coming 2026 general elections as it was in 2021 when a section of people voted against the NRM presidential candidate.
The chairperson of NRM Bulamagi Sub-county Mr Sam Mbago was concerned with the brutality by the UPDF in charge of good fishing on water bodies in the Busoga which he said affected the performance of President Museveni in the 2021 elections and he called upon the government to work on it ahead of 2026 general elections. He also noted the unfulfilled pledge of the Iganga-Luuka-Kamuli road which is still pending tarmacking.
The Iganga NRM District Chairperson, Hajji Walubi Abubakar blamed the government for causing commotion in sugarcane business after failure to plan earlier and appropriately before setting up several factories.
Hajj Walubi also retaliated against the need to tame brutality by the UPDF fisheries protection unit and create an alternative for people before chasing them from lakes.
“We’re chasing people from lakes without giving them an alternative business and this is pushing people to absolute sorrow and even the lakes are full of cages. There’s also a problem of sugarcane and I blame the establishment of many factories without proper planning, the laws being developed now would have been installed before anything else,” Hajj Walubi said.
The NRM boss was also concerned with the way some cabinet members were behaving, by involving in the politics of other groups citing the recently launched Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
According to Hajji Walubi, it is not wise for party cabinet members to involve in the politics of other groups other than President Museveni.
Responding to him, Hon Baryonunsi assured the public that the president is still available as the flag bearer for NRM.
“There is no cause for worry about the future of NRM, President Museveni is the flag bearer and we as NRM supporters and members still have confidence in him and I’m quite certain that we shall make him our flag bearer for 2026. There is no need for people to be worried until when we see that there is a need to look for another flag bearer,” Minister Baryonunsi said.
The minister commended leaders for publicly pointing out the challenges of the government and pledged to forward the issues to the cabinet for scrutiny and implementation.
“I want to thank all the previous speakers for pointing out some of the challenges facing good service delivery by the government, and this is very good since we can know where the problem is and deal with it. It is better than just praising when things are not moving on well,” Minister Baryonunsi said before boosting the group with 5 million shillings in cash.
The LCV Chairperson Iganga District, Mr Gabula Ezera reechoed the need to review the issue of chasing people from swamps and committed himself to fight such that people are compensated before anything else.
He also tasked the Hon minister to follow up on the issue of Busoga University which continues hanging even after the government took it over as a public university.
Kigulu South MP, Hon Milton Muwuma said the group was initiated to bring supporters and well-wishers of his constituency together for development without politics. It targets how best to better their earnings economically and socially.
He echoed the need to extend power to areas that do not have power since it’s a pre-requisite to development saying a number of villages in his constituency continue to lack power even after endless requests, saying it’s costing the government a vote.
The group was boosted financially by leaders led by Hon Kauma Sauda Alibaawo, the Woman MP, Hajji Walubi Abubakar, and Mr Gabula Ezera, among others and they pledged to ensure more support for Muwuma Foundation Group since it promotes development.
The Chairperson of the Foundation, Mr Mutale Ismael Maka Mulinda Isabirye presented before the minister a report with among other requests, a tractor to boost farming, a pick-up vehicle for transport and to meet the president of Uganda for mutual discussions. He commended Hon Muwuma for the good patronage and the various people who have since supported their progress over the last 8 years.
The function was attended by among others, Nabala Tonny Ivulungo, NRM administrative secretary Iganga district, chairperson of NRM electoral commission for Iganga Mr. Kirunda Yazid, local leaders and the chief prince Kigulu chiefdom Hajji Ismael Kyeyago.
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