Iganga, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM presidential flag bearer, has pledged to resolve long-standing service delivery concerns in Iganga District, including the stalled central market project, malfunctioning X-ray services, and the need for an upgraded oxygen plant, promising immediate consideration and action.
Addressing a packed rally at the Iganga District Headquarters on Friday, the President said the NRM’s seven core contributions to peace, development, wealth creation and jobs were strong grounds for Ugandans to renew confidence in the party in 2026.
First Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga asked the President to expedite construction of Iganga Central Market, noting that she personally struggled to secure the land title. She also renewed calls to upgrade Iganga General Hospital to regional referral status, saying it is overwhelmed by patients from several neighbouring districts.
The district NRM chairperson, Hajji Walubi Abubakar, informed the President that Iganga’s X-ray machine, donated by the Ministry of Health, has been non-functional for eight years, and raised concerns over the delayed construction of the central market. He also requested a fully operational oxygen plant and new road construction equipment, saying the current machines are old and breaking down.
Walubi also asked that government’s pledge of tarmacking 16 kilometres within Iganga Town be handed over to contractors working on the Walugogo–Luuka–Bulopa–Kamuli road for timely delivery.
Responding to the queries, Museveni said he had taken note “of the issues of the X-ray machine, the market and the oxygen plant. I will see how to consider them,” revealing government’s plan to upgrade Naibiri Health Centre II to Health Centre III.
On Uganda’s free education for all policy, the President faulted the uneven spread of primary schools, noting that despite Iganga having 99 government primary schools against 42 parishes, 11 parishes still lack a single government school.
“You did not follow the principle of one primary school per parish. Do not put more schools in one parish before all parishes have one,” Museveni warned.
He criticised school fees charges in government schools, saying they have destroyed opportunities for many children. He announced that construction of Bukoyo Seed School in Bulamagi Subcounty would begin soon. “Free education must be taken seriously. It is killing opportunities for children whose parents cannot pay,” he said.
District Leaders Push for Industrial Park
Hajji Walubi also called for the establishment of an industrial park in Iganga and proposed obtaining land in Nakalama for the project. He thanked the government for PDM and Emyooga empowerment initiatives and hailed the President for dropping earlier charges against former MUBS Principal Prof. Waswa Balunywa, who attended the rally.
Walubi also requested an expansion of beneficiaries under the presidential skilling hubs, noting that the current allocation of 15 trainees per district is too small for Iganga’s population.
Speaking at the same rally, the NRM 1st National Vice Chairman, Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo, urged residents to vote for only NRM candidates, saying continuity is vital to protect the gains achieved so far. He called for discipline among party mobilisers ahead of 2026.
The rally was also attended by former Vice President Dr Specioza Wandera Kazibwe, former NRM Secretary General and Minister of General Duties in the OPM, Hon Justine Kasule Lumumba, Presidency Minister Milly Babirye Babalanda, 3rd Deputy Premier Hon. Rukia Isanga Nakadama, NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, Mr Calvin Echodu, several MPs and flag bearers, among others.
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