Buvuma, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to create a second parliamentary constituency for Buvuma District, citing population growth and the need for stronger representation, as he rolled out a wide-ranging development agenda for the Lake Victoria island during a campaign visit on Saturday.
Addressing residents at Kadinindi playgrounds, Mr Museveni said Buvuma’s population has grown to about 110,000 people, making it impractical for one Member of Parliament to effectively represent the entire island district.
“It’s true that Buvuma should get a second constituency because one MP is not sufficient for the whole district,” Museveni said.
Palm Oil, Jobs and Compensation
The President emphasized how palm oil as a central pillar of Buvuma’s economic future, urging residents to continue embracing the crop while assuring them that government would resolve bottlenecks affecting the sector.
“Once the palm oil processing mill is set up here, it will create jobs for the youth and reduce the cost of transporting palm oil to Kalangala,” Museveni said.
He also addressed concerns from bibanja holders whose land was earmarked for palm oil growing, assuring them that compensation funds are available. “The money is there. What remains is agreeing on how to compensate the landowners,” he said, pledging that the matter would be settled.
Fishing, Fish Ponds and Protection of Breeding Areas
Museveni acknowledged fishing as another backbone of Buvuma’s economy but warned that overfishing and destruction of breeding grounds threaten the sector’s survival.
“We shall put up fish ponds to give people alternative livelihoods,” he said, urging residents to protect breeding areas for tilapia and other species.
He warned that individuals attacking fish breeding zones would face tough action, saying sustainability must be protected.
On infrastructure, Museveni unveiled plans to connect Buvuma to the national electricity grid through a marine cable from Kalangala Island. “We are going to connect this island to the national grid using a marine cable from Kalangala,” he said.
He explained that the rollout would be done in phases, starting with solar power for trading centres and mini-grids expected to be operational within six months. The second phase will involve a marine cable from Mayuge to Buvuma, expected to deliver stable power within a year.
The President also pledged tarmac roads and solar-powered water systems to improve access to clean water across the island.
Museveni further promised to upgrade existing health centres to district hospitals and establish at least two boarding schools to support children from fishing communities, whose parents often work far from home.
He encouraged residents to diversify beyond palm oil and fishing into coffee growing, fruit farming and tourism, drawing lessons from Kalangala’s transformation.
Janet Museveni, Kasolo Rally Support
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni thanked the people of Buvuma for their support and urged them to turn out to vote. “We must not assume victory because of big rallies. We need to show up and vote when the time comes,” she said.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Haruna Kasolo said residents were grateful for the President’s focus on the island, particularly the deployment of marine boats and plans for electricity.
“The people of Buvuma are happy. Resolving land compensation will allow the palm oil investor to set up a processing mill here instead of transporting produce to Kalangala,” Kasolo said, adding that residents hope the contractor who handled the Kalangala power extension will also be tasked with connecting Buvuma to the national grid.
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