Bugweri leaders sell jobs, residents tell Kadaga during rally

__________________

Bugweri district residents have accused their leaders of selling jobs.

The revelations were made as thousands of enthusiastic National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters converged at the Bugweri County headquarters playground in Busesa town council, Bugweri district, on Tuesday (November 11, 2025), rallying behind First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga in a campaign push for President Yoweri Museveni ahead of the 2026 General Election.

Swaliki Lukaba, the Bugweri district NRM flag-bearer for the LC5 chairperson, highlighted corruption in job recruitment, alleging that applicants were forced to pay for positions.

"Issue of selling of jobs in the district. For someone to apply for a job, they have to pay for it. Leaders extort money," he said.

Other district leaders from Bugweri echoed this during interactions with Kadaga, informing her directly about the sale of jobs at the district level.

Part of the crowd that turned up at Kadaga's rally in Bugweri district. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

The selling of jobs had been a thorny issue for years across various districts in the country and government ministries, departments and agencies. Some of these accusations have led to the arrest and prosecution of the accused, but many have gone scot-free as aggrieved individuals do not report the cases.

The event, marked by energetic speeches, cultural performances and calls for development, highlighted local grievances while pledging overwhelming support for the ruling party.

NRM's Hajji Sadala Wandera, the party's flag bearer for the Bugweri County Member of Parliament seat, fired up the crowd with a passionate appeal.

"Support President Museveni with 90% votes in Bugweri," he declared, emphasising the district's loyalty to the NRM.

Wandera praised Kadaga's contributions, noting that she had supported him in distributing bursaries to needy children, benefitting 363 students through bursaries.

He also highlighted his own efforts in constructing water sources like boreholes for communities and assisting 230 youth in securing employment both nationally and internationally.

Aminah Mutesi Nalugoda, aka Mutesi Mudenene, the NRM flag-bearer for Bugweri District Woman MP, addressed the gathering alongside other leaders like Bugweri chiefdom premier Godfrey Nabongo and chairperson of NRM sub-county chairpersons in the district.

Nabongo raised concerns about internal party challenges, stating, "We have challenges of leadership in the NRM party in Bugweri. These issues are before the NRM secretariat: We do not have an NRM chairperson in Bugweri. It's only the DEC committee that is available," he said, urging Kadaga to escalate the matter to the secretariat for resolution.

On the Parish Development Model (PDM), Nabongo called for an increase in the number of beneficiaries per parish, noting that the current figures were too few.

He also stressed the absence of dedicated youth programmes in Bugweri, saying, "There is no program in Bugweri where youth are benefiting. We need a programme for youth to fight unemployment."

Aminah Mutesi Nalugoda presented a list of priority requests to Kadaga for President Museveni's attention, which included tarmacking the road from Nondwe to Busembatia; improving health services in hospitals; establishing a Kirunda Kivejinja Memorial Centre; and completing the construction of Bugweri district headquarters, currently at the foundation level.

The rally climaxed with electrifying performances from local artists, including Cool Demus, Bigodo from Mawololo and Nathan Nyende Matta from Bugweri, among others, keeping the crowd energised.

Choose wisely

In her keynote address, First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga urged voters to choose wisely.

"Vote for leaders who will deliver in your communities. Do not elect those that will not come back to you," she said, emphasising accountability.

Kadaga promised to lobby for increased funding in key government programmes.

"Will request the President to increase Emyooga and PDM funds," she assured the crowd. She revealed that shillings 500 million had already been sent to each constituency under Emyooga.

Focusing on agriculture, Kadaga said, "We expect to promote agriculture mechanisation in Bugweri and for residents to be saved from using hoes."

She directed NRM flag-bearer Lukaba to identify a site for an industrial park in the district.

Highlighting untapped potential, Kadaga noted, "Bugweri and Busoga at large has minerals. I want the Basoga to benefit from minerals which are in Busoga."

She also pledged to return to Bugweri to unveil tourism sites and attract investors for modern restaurants and hotels.

From Bugweri, Kadaga proceeded to Magogo Primary School playground in Iganga for another rally.

There, she remarked on educational and economic opportunities.

"We started Busoga University with Late Bamwoze and Dr Kazingu, all from Bugabula." She encouraged investment in accommodation and entertainment facilities in Iganga to capitalise on students from Busoga University.

The back-to-back rallies underscored Kadaga's grassroots mobilisation efforts in the Busoga sub-region, blending campaign fervour with demands for tangible development under President Museveni's leadership.