Don’t wait for oil money to get out of poverty, Museveni tells Ugandans

Masindi, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned Ugandans against over-relying on future oil revenues, insisting that sustainable household wealth—not petroleum—remains the backbone of national prosperity.

The President made the remarks on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, while addressing thousands of supporters during a campaign rally in Masindi Municipality.

Mr Museveni reassured residents that government will fast-track long-delayed infrastructure projects, including roads and a modern market, under the new Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) programme after Masindi missed out on earlier USMID funding.

“Masindi supported us in the struggle, but you were left out of USMID. You will be considered under UCMID,” he said, responding to concerns raised by District NRM Chairperson Hon. Kabakumba Masiko.

The President, accompanied by First Daughter Natasha Museveni Karugire, also issued new directives to Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja to urgently tackle land-grabbing cases and enforce the Sugar Act to protect cane out-growers from exploitation by millers.

He further announced additional tractors for farmers and a new ferry on Lake Albert to ease transportation and boost trade across Bunyoro.

“Development Without Wealth is Useless” — Museveni

Museveni urged residents to differentiate between public infrastructure and household prosperity, warning that families who wait for government projects alone will remain poor.

“Petroleum is an exhaustible resource. Commercial farming will be here forever,” he said, encouraging farmers to adopt profitable enterprises under the four-acre model.

He outlined key achievements in Masindi’s social and economic sectors and committed to expanding infrastructure in the next term. He confirmed that 15 of Masindi’s 18 sub-counties are now connected to the national grid, and this will be extended next to Katugo I, Bukooba II and Katikara, followed by surrounding villages.

In the health sector, Museveni said government will upgrade Bulima HCII, Alimugonza HCII, Labongo HCII and Nyabyeya HCII to Health Centre III status, and construct new HCIIIs in Kabango Town Council, Kigulya and Kijunjubwa. Seven sub-counties currently have no health facility at all.

On water access, Museveni noted that only 196 of 417 rural villages have safe water—representing just 47% coverage—and pledged renewed investments to close the gap.

He warned against conflating development and household wealth creation, saying public infrastructure alone cannot lift families out of poverty. “Development without wealth is useless,” he said, urging residents to embrace commercial agriculture through the four-acre model.

He cited commercial farmers such as George Matongo, Johnson Basangwa, and Hon. Fred Byamukama as examples of individuals earning millions monthly from dairy and poultry enterprise regardless of proximity to roads or electricity. “These people are getting rich because they use land properly,” he noted.

Museveni said Uganda’s oil production, expected to begin in 2026, will be vital for funding roads, schools and electricity expansion, but cautioned against treating oil as a permanent solution. “Petroleum is an exhaustible resource, while commercial farming will be here forever.”

The President expressed concern over mismanagement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds and vowed to ensure all funds reach intended beneficiaries. Masindi District and Municipality have received Shs20.35 billion under PDM, of which Shs17.49 billion (85.9%) has reached 17,609 households.

NRM Second National Vice Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among affirmed that the ruling party aims to reclaim Masindi, urging residents to support NRM candidates. “Those who allocate resources are the sitting government. This is why you should support NRM,” she said, while relaying a request from Masindi women for a modern market.