Gen. Saleh lists NRM development milestones in Nakaseke

GULU - Senior presidential advisor, also Operation Wealth Creation chief co-ordinator Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh has cited industrialisation, land conflict resolution and infrastructure growth as key indicators of progress in Nakaseke district.

Nakaseke, officially operational since August 11, 2005, has in recent years emerged as a hub of development and industrial growth in central Uganda. Carved out of Luwero district with its headquarters at Butalangu, the district was created to bring government services closer to the people.

According to Nakaseke Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Rose Byabasaijja, “The residents, most of them in the north constituency, are livestock keepers, while those in the south and central are agriculturists. Economically, coffee has been a major driver since the inception of OWC. She added that “the security situation in Nakaseke is relatively calm.”

Industrialisation and employment growth

The Kapeka Industrial Park has become a major milestone in local economic transformation, employing over 15,000 people across various factories.

Salim Saleh, credited for deconflicting land disputes in the district, told New Vision Online in an exclusive interview on December 29, 2025, “Where that industrial park is located was the headquarters of the Kabalega unit. For us, it had a very big historical perspective.

That’s why we are so happy that it has come to some level of development, because we are still at 40 percent. By the time we reach a hundred percent of the capacity, many people will be talking about it.”

Abdul, a supervisor at Gokta factory in Kapeeka, said, “Here in Kapeka Industrial Park, specifically Gokta Workwear, we manufacture clothes, workwear, safety wear, and other garments. Namunkekera Industrial Park is well organized and helps workers develop and change their lives.”

Saleh acknowledged the limits of industrialisation in eradicating rural poverty, stating, “However much foreign domestic investment (FDI) you get, it cannot fight household poverty in rural areas. That’s why you cannot rely only on the industrial park to fight poverty. You must rely on the industrial park to create products for exports and for import substitution.” 

He added that the Parish Development Model (PDM) addresses household incomes alongside industrial growth.

The Nakaseke District commercial office reports that UGX 17 billion has been invested in PDM, benefiting over 17,530 residents.

Infrastructure development

Major road projects are underway, including the tarmacking of the Lwero-Butarangu and Matuga-Kapeka roads.

RDC Byabasaijja commended the Government, saying, “We want to appreciate the government, especially His Excellency the President, for our Tarmac roads that are being constructed.”

Nsubuga Amani, LC1 chairman of Kapeeka industry, highlighted the connectivity boost, stating, “Now we have that road from Lwero to Butarangu.

It is a 29.6-kilometer road, and this road is going to link us. With these roads, farmers here will see dramatic changes in the next five years. People will hardly recognize Nakaseke as it was 15 years ago.”

Access to clean water and electricity has also improved, with Geoffrey Mukwaya, deputy academic of Katale Secondary School, noting, “A while back we had a problem with water. We thank the minister, plus the former minister, Hadjat Saida Bomba, and the government.”

Agriculture and wealth creation

Efforts to modernize agriculture are visible through model farms and solar-powered irrigation systems.

Ainebyona, General Manager of Heritage Farm Limited, said, “We focus on cooperating and living peacefully with the community. About 30 percent of our workers come from the local community.Whatever we do here, we ensure our farmers, even those far away, benefit from our seedlings and livestock breeds.”

Kenneth Ntegyereizer, agricultural manager for Balaji Group Nakaseke, shared the vision for an “avocado city,” explaining, “We want a well-developed, well-planned, and well-managed city where people have income in their pockets through the avocado-growing industry. Everything is within here—the markets, production, processing, and financial services.”

Land reforms and conflict resolution

Land reform has been a priority, with over 1,600 hectares processed and tenants compensated to prevent evictions. Samuel Senyondo, a Kirema village beneficiary, said, “301 titles were issued in our villages. We thank the President of Uganda for this initiative. People have planted coffee, built permanent homes, and settled disputes.”

Fred Lugumya, Mutyanti landlord, emphasized the importance of the Land Fund, stating, “The way to go is using the Land Fund to ensure people are bona fide beneficiaries and get land titles where they reside. I have over 200 hectares occupied by tenants, and I appeal to the government to help my tenants fully buy out the land.”


RDC Byabasaijja added, “Many land grabbers come from Kampala, taking advantage of people’s ignorance. We go out to sensitize the masses on their rights. Thanks to the president who supported our people by paying for their titles.”

Education Improvements

The construction of Seed secondary schools has reduced the number of sub-counties without government secondary schools. 

Hajji Bwete Ismail, Headmaster of Kikamula Seed Secondary School, said, “This is one of the biggest projects the government has undertaken in central Nakaseke.

The government pays fees, provides laboratory equipment, textbooks, computers, and everything necessary. Before, students had to walk over 18 kilometers to attend school. Now access is easier, and education quality has improved.”

NRM Gains and 2026 Elections

Kampala affairs state minister Kyofatogabye highlighted NRM achievements, saying, “We’ve embarked on wealth recreation. In the last two years, we’ve distributed 28,600,000 coffee seedlings. Our program targets youth: Save land and make money out of it—don’t sell land, save it, make money out of it.”

Prof. Ogenga Otunnu, an expert in post-conflict reconstruction, reflected on NRM’s broader Buganda strategy: “Operation Harmony is a direct and singular response to the urgent call for harmonious, inclusive, and sustainable resolutions to historical grievances and current conflicts. Reconciliation is a journey. Operation Harmony is challenging, but it is necessary and transformative.”

Otunnu praised Gen. Salim Saleh’s leadership in Nakaseke, noting that his hands-on approach in land conflict resolution—through the Kapeeka Land Bank Committee and the Kapeeka land databank—has set a benchmark for mediation and community engagement.

Industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, and land reforms, combined with infrastructure development, are redefining Nakaseke’s landscape. Analysts say these initiatives will likely influence voter sentiment as Uganda approaches the 2026 General Elections.

“People of Buganda are increasingly engaging in value addition, agro-processing, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship,” Prof. Otunnu observed. “These initiatives show previously unseen levels of opportunity and economic participation.”