Buvuma, Uganda: The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice Chairperson for Buganda, Hon Kyeune Haruna Kasolo, has revealed that President Museveni’s campaign visit to Buvuma Island has “restored hope” among residents, particularly over long-standing concerns about electricity, land compensation and palm oil processing.
“The people of Buvuma are very happy to host the President,” Kasolo said. “They are especially pleased with the arrival of marine boats and the commitment to finally address electricity and palm oil processing on the island.”
Kasolo was speaking on Saturday as he welcomed Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to the island, where the President made a series of pledges aimed at transforming Buvuma’s economy and improving service delivery.
The Minister, who is also the NRM Chairperson for Kyotera District, highlighted Museveni’s pledge to connect Buvuma to the national electricity grid via a marine cable from Kalangala as a potential game-changer for the island’s development.
“For years, lack of power has held back investment here. The people are hopeful that the same contractor who worked on the Kalangala power project will also handle the Buvuma connection,” he said.
He added that interim solutions such as solar power and mini-grids would help trading centres and small businesses as the island waits for full grid connectivity.
Palm Oil Processing, Land Compensation
Kasolo said residents were particularly encouraged by Museveni’s assurance that land compensation issues affecting bibanja holders would be resolved to allow the establishment of a palm oil processing mill on the island.
“At the moment, people are forced to transport palm oil to Kalangala for processing, which is costly and inefficient,” Kasolo noted. “Once landowners are compensated, the investor can set up the mill right here in Buvuma.”
He said the processing plant would create jobs for young people and increase household incomes, strengthening the island’s economy.
Kasolo also welcomed Museveni’s proposal to grant Buvuma a second parliamentary constituency, saying the island’s population had outgrown the current political representation. “One MP cannot effectively serve the entire island district,” he said. “This proposal responds directly to the realities on the ground.”
He added that improved roads, health facilities, schools and support for fishing communities would help reduce poverty and curb rural-urban migration.
The Minister urged Buvuma voters to fully back the NRM and its candidates, saying the President’s commitments demonstrated continued attention to the unique challenges facing island communities. “These promises are not theoretical. They are based on what has already been done in places like Kalangala,” he said, calling for unity and patience as implementation begins.
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