Greater Kabale urges Museveni to address social, economic challenges this term

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As President Yoweri Museveni is sworn in for a seventh term in office today, May 12, 2026, leaders and residents in greater Kabale have spoken out about what they expect the Government should prioritise over the next five years.

President Museveni is taking oath of office at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, marking another chapter in Uganda’s political leadership under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party administration.

In interviews conducted across the districts of Kabale and Rubanda, residents highlighted key issues they believe require urgent government attention, including infrastructure development, tackling corruption, unemployment, healthcare and agricultural support.

Tourism roads and corruption

Obed Habasa, the chairperson of the Uganda People’s Congress in Rubanda District, urges the Government to fulfill several long-standing pledges that he said have remained unresolved in the Kigezi region for years.

According to Habasa, one of the major priorities should be the construction and improvement of tourism roads to boost access to the region’s tourism sites and improve business opportunities for local communities.

“Kigezi is one of the leading tourism destinations in the country, but poor road infrastructure continues to affect tourism activities and transport,” Habasa said.

He has also renewed calls for the establishment of an airstrip at Nyamiringa in Rubanda District, arguing that the project would help open up the region for tourism and investment opportunities.

Habasa further challenged the Government to intensify the fight against corruption, which he says continues to undermine service delivery and delay development projects in different parts of the country.

According to him, corruption within public institutions has weakened public confidence in government programmes and affected the implementation of services intended to benefit ordinary citizens.

He also emphasises the need for government institutions to operate independently without political interference, saying strong and independent institutions are vital in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance.

Habasa noted that respect for constitutional institutions would strengthen democracy and improve public trust during the next term of government.

“Government institutions should be allowed to perform their constitutional responsibilities independently if the country is to achieve effective governance and accountability,” he added.

Prioritise accountability

Meanwhile, Robert Kakuru, a resident of Kabale Municipality, acknowledged that despite political differences, the Government has registered visible progress in implementing several development projects within the district.

Kakuru pointed to improvements in road infrastructure, electrification and public services, which he says have contributed to the transformation of some communities in the area.

“We cannot ignore some of the progress that has been achieved over the years, especially in infrastructure development and service delivery,” Kakuru said.

However, he urged leaders at both national and local levels to prioritise accountability and effective supervision of government projects to ensure value for public funds.

Kakuru argued that poor monitoring of projects has contributed to delays, substandard work, and misuse of government resources in some sectors.

He said ordinary citizens expect leaders to ensure that government programmes directly benefit communities rather than enriching a few individuals.

Transparency in public projects

Residents also called for greater transparency in the implementation of public projects, especially those targeting rural communities where service delivery gaps remain evident.

At the same time, Sam Arinaitwe, an NRM cadre in the district, praised government poverty alleviation programmes, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM), which he said has positively impacted many households in rural communities.

Arinaitwe explained that through the programme, several families have been able to access financial support for small-scale businesses, agriculture, and other income-generating activities.

According to him, some beneficiaries have managed to improve their household incomes and livelihoods through investments supported under the programme.

“The Parish Development Model has helped many people in rural areas start businesses and improve their standards of living,” Arinaitwe said.

He expressed optimism that continued government investment in poverty eradication programmes would further transform rural communities during the next term.

Despite applauding government interventions, Arinaitwe noted that several challenges still require urgent attention, particularly youth unemployment, inadequate healthcare services, and limited agricultural support.

He observed that many young people remain unemployed despite completing their education, a situation he said continues to frustrate families and increase poverty levels among the youth.

Arinaitwe called for increased investment in vocational training, industrialisation, and job creation initiatives aimed at equipping young people with practical skills and employment opportunities.

On healthcare, he appealed to the Government to improve staffing levels at health facilities, ensure a steady supply of medicines, and upgrade infrastructure at rural health centres.

He argued that many residents in remote areas still struggle to access quality healthcare services due to understaffing and inadequate medical equipment.

In addition, Arinaitwe urged the Government to strengthen support for farmers through extension services, affordable agricultural inputs, and reliable markets for produce.

Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy in the Kigezi sub-region, with the majority of residents depending on farming for both food and income.

Many residents in Greater Kabale say they hope the President's next term of government will focus more on addressing the social and economic challenges affecting ordinary citizens while sustaining ongoing development programmes across the country.