Museveni urges Busoga to shun disunity and politics of identity

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President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned the people of Busoga against disunity and politics of identity.

He made the appeal on Friday (September 26) while meeting leaders, mobilizers, government officials, religious leaders, informal sector groups and the private sector from Busoga sub-region at State Lodge Nakasero, Kampala.

Museveni said leaders are not supposed to divide the people or promote sectarianism.

He said the government has set up several infrastructure such as good roads and factories to steer development in Busoga sub-region.

“It's not true for some people to say that the NRM government has done nothing for Busoga. Many factories have been set up in the sub-region in areas like Jinja, Njeru and Masese with the purpose of development.

“Many new roads have been worked on, and the old ones have been or are being rehabilitated, like the Jinja-Kamuli Road, Musita-Mayuge-Busia Road, and Iganga-Mbale Road."

Museveni assured that the Iganga-Luuka-Kamuli and Kimaka-Mbulamuti-Kamuli roads will be tarmacked.

He also tasked the leaders with sensitising their people to utilise the funds from government empowerment programmes well in order to fight poverty. 

“The government has injected a lot of funds in programmes like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and SACCOs, among other initiatives. These programmes will continue running and the leaders should audit performance of these programs,” he said. 

“Therefore, you should use this opportunity from the government and work to uplift your lives.”

On the issue of electricity, the President said many households across Busoga have been able to get connected, thanks to the fact that the government has set up additional power dams and expanded the national grid to all the regions in Uganda.

The President, who is also the chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), appealed to the people of Busoga to support the NRM and all its candidates in the 2026 general elections for more development.

During the meeting, Resty Namutamba withdrew from the Luuka Woman Member of Parliament race in favour of Annet Nabirye Annet, the NRM flagbearer. Hajji Jafari Basajabalaba withdrew from the LC5 race of Bushenyi district in favour of the NRM flagbearer, Tumwebaze Prosper.

The President commended them for accepting to withdraw from the respective races, saying the move is in line with the NRM principles. 

“Vote for leaders who promote unity amongst our people but not divisionism,” he said.

President Museveni tasked religious leaders who attended the meeting with spreading the gospel of peace and unity among believers. 

The religious leaders pledged to work with the President and the NRM government and assured him that they will mobilize the faithful to desist from the politics of identity, but rather take keen interest in embracing government's poverty alleviation programmes.

The Busoga religious leaders, under their umbrella of the Inter-religious Council, through Bishop Naimanhye Paul Mukembo, thanked the President Museveni for hosting them and assured him of the clergy's back in the development and peace of Uganda. 

Bishop Mukembo also noted that as religious leaders they will be visiting rivaling politicians in the sub-region with the purpose of reconciliation.

Hajji Faruk Kirunda, the special presidential assistant in charge of press and mobilisation, led the delegation.

He informed the President that the delegation from Busoga will work collectively to ensure that the sub-region develops and is stable. 

He also assured the informal sector and vendors that the government will support them so that they are able to fight poverty and create wealth through presidential initiatives under State House.