Bugiri, Uganda: President and NRM presidential candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Saturday launched his Busoga Sub-region campaign at Bugiri District Headquarters, urging residents to embrace commercial agriculture, industrialisation, ICT, artisanship and government wealth programmes as key solutions to unemployment and household poverty.
Museveni lectured supporters on the importance of wealth creation outside government employment, noting that while government employs about 480,000 people, the private sector, especially factories, employs at least 1.3 million Ugandans, three times more than government.
“People confuse others to believe that jobs only come from government. This is not true,” Museveni said. “Only 480,000 jobs can be offered by the state, but factories employ 1.3 million people. It shows where real opportunities lie.”
Museveni urged voters to evaluate the NRM based on its record over four decades and support the party again in the 2026 elections. “When people ask why you support NRM, point at the achievements of the last 40 years — peace, development, wealth and jobs. NRM showed people how to get rich,” he said.
The President reaffirmed that Uganda will begin harvesting oil next year, saying the resource was discovered through deliberate efforts of the NRM government. “Europeans wanted to see oil but failed. When we came, we discovered it. God is on our side,” he added, emphasizing that the NRM remains united, non-sectarian and committed to valuing every Ugandan based on ability and contribution, not tribe or religion.
Roads, Electricity and Water to Be Upgraded in Bugiri
The President said government has prioritised development through massive investments in economic and social infrastructure. He listed several road projects earmarked for construction or upgrade, including Jinja–Budondo–Mbulamuti (Kamuli)–Bukungu (Buyende) Road, Walugogo–Luuka–Bulopa–Kamuli Road, Mayuge–Mbaale–Bugiri–Namayingo Road and multiple town roads within Bugiri
Mr Museveni pledged to extend electricity to sub-counties like Nankoma, which lack power, and committed to pumping water from Lake Victoria, replicating the model successfully implemented in Lira where water was pumped over 21 miles.
He also pledged to elevate Busowa Health Centre II and Wangobo Health Centre II to Health Centre III status and construct additional Health Centre IIIs in Buwuni, Muwayo and Muterere.
The President directed Bugiri’s education department to ensure fair distribution of government schools, noting disparities where 58 out of 102 parishes have government primary schools, meaning some parishes have more than one while others have none.
He committed to constructing additional schools to uphold the NRM policy of one primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county, correcting the current shortfall where Bugiri has only 10 government secondary schools across 20 sub-counties.
Museveni warned government school administrators against charging fees, saying it drives children out of school. “Demanding school fees in government schools is a weapon of destruction,” he warned.
The President said the NRM government will create more specialised funds targeting ghetto youth, boda boda riders, church leaders, cultural and Muslim leaders and unemployed university graduates.
He urged the public to embrace ongoing wealth programmes, including the four-acre model, and learn from model farmers already benefiting in Busoga.
Local Leaders Present Priority Demands
Bugiri NRM district chairperson and Bukooli Central MP Hon. Solomon Silwanyi presented key district issues to the President and pledged 70% votes for Museveni. He requested that Bukooli Central be elevated to district status.
While the First Deputy Prime Minister and East African Community Minister Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga asked government to establish an industrial park in Bugiri to create jobs for the youth. She also echoed calls for Busoga University to be reinstated as a centre of excellence.
Kadaga urged Busoga residents to “forget the past” and rally behind President Museveni despite disagreements that emerged during past CEC elections. “Shut that door and move on by supporting the NRM government from President Museveni to the bottom,” she stressed.
NRM 1st National Vice Chairperson Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo urged party members to remain united and vote for all NRM flag bearers.
The rally was attended by several ministers and dignitaries, including Minister of State for Housing Hon. Persis Namuganza, Minister for General Duties Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, Minister for Presidency Hon. Milly Babalanda, Hon. Peter Ogwanga, and former Vice President Dr Specioza Wandera Kazibwe.
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