📷 Kayunga gears up for Museveni rally as residents list development priorities

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Kayunga district is abuzz with activity today (January 2, 2025) as residents gather at Busaana town council playgrounds ahead of a re-election campaign rally by President Yoweri Museveni.

As early as 9:00am, crowds of young and old, women and children were already streaming to the venue from several corners of the district, many clad in the NRM’s signature yellow T-shirts and waving yellow placards bearing Museveni’s portrait.

Several local musicians, including Omulongo Paper White, Frozen Maya, Silvester Abu, Gun X, and Daddy Kiwa, entertained supporters as they awaited the rally.

Residents’ expectations, priorities

Some residents used the gathering to voice their expectations and priorities if Museveni secures another term in office.

Musaala Godfrey, the chairperson of the elderly in Galilaya sub-county, called for improved transport infrastructure, particularly roads and water transport along Lake Kyoga.

“We want the road from Kayunga to Kawongo at the fishing site on Lake Kyoga to be constructed. We also need a ferry to transport people from Kawongo landing site to Bangala landing site in Amolatar District,” Musaala said.

He further urged the government to support income-generating projects for elderly people, such as poultry and fishing, but also commended the government for the Parish Development Model (PDM), describing it as a timely intervention for grassroots communities.

People with disabilities (PWDs) also raised their concerns that they said needed urgent remedy. Namulwa Esinazi, the Galilaya subcounty chairperson for PWDs, praised government programmes such as PDM and Emyooga, saying they had positively impacted livelihoods.

“I used PDM funds to boost my trading and farming business. I bought a cow, which is about to give birth, and I hope to earn from the milk to pay school fees for my children,” Namulwa said.

However, she appealed for greater protection of PWDs, citing alleged corruption at the local level. “Some local leaders charge us for services that are supposed to be free, and we need the president to help us on this issue. We also need support with wheelchairs, and the tax on wheelchairs should be reduced because it is too high,” she added.

Namulwa further urged President Museveni, who is running on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket, to crack down on corruption, particularly the sale of free medicines from government health facilities.

Local leaders echoed similar sentiments regarding the peace and wealth creation programmes they noted have been championed by candidate Museveni.

Geri Festo Bartholomew, the LC3 chairperson of Galilaya sub-county, thanked Museveni for maintaining peace in the country, saying stability had enabled development.

“When we vote for him again, we want him to complete roads that are still unfinished, establish more seed secondary and primary schools, and extend electricity to more areas so our businesses can grow,” Bartholomew said.

Nalwoga Elizabeth, the councillor representing the elderly in Galilaya sub-county, described the Parish Development Model as a “game-changer” for older persons. She appealed for increased funding and improvements in service delivery.

“As he seeks another term, we pray that the government adds more resources and improves the services already in place,” Nalwoga said.

Candidate Museveni is expected to hold the day's second rally in Mukono district later in the afternoon. The rally in Kayunga forms part of Museveni’s wider campaign engagements across the country, where development, service delivery, and accountability have dominated public discussions.