📷 Museveni tells Budaka NRM offers proven achievements, not empty promises

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has told voters in Budaka district that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is not seeking another mandate on promises but on tangible results from its 40 years in power.

Addressing thousands at Saaza Grounds on Thursday (November 13), the NRM presidential flag bearer said his government’s record in peace, infrastructure, education, and wealth creation speaks for itself.

“We are together with other leaders to present to you the manifesto of the NRM for the period 2026–2031. The NRM is not just promising, but presenting what has already been done,” President Museveni said.

He outlined NRM’s journey since 1986, saying all progress had been built on peace.

“In the last 40 years, we first brought peace, and then development came in two parts: economic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water, telephones, and the railway; and social infrastructure like schools and hospitals,” he said.

In Budaka, Museveni pointed to new and completed projects such as the Iganga–Mbale, Tirinyi–Pallisa–Kumi, and Pallisa–Kamonkoli–Mbale roads.

He said the Nabumali–Butaleja–Namutumba road was next in line.

The President said electricity now reaches most parts of the sub-region, while safe water access in Budaka stands at 93%, with 299 out of 323 villages connected.

“We have done a good job on roads. Electricity has reached many areas, and now everyone has a telephone in their pocket,” he said.

Turning to education, he reported that Budaka has 59 government and 94 private primary schools, and 10 government and 23 private secondary schools.

He said more schools were being built to ensure “one primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county.”

However, Museveni criticised the continued charging of fees in public schools.

“I introduced free education 30 years ago, but some people have not implemented it fully. They are still charging school fees, and as a result, children drop out,” he said.

He said the government had created skilling hubs for youth who left school early. Beneficiaries such as Michael Onganga, a welder, and Jane Lagose, a tailor, shared success stories that drew applause.

“These children had lost hope because of school fees, but after six months of training, they are producing items that used to be imported,” Museveni said.

On health, Museveni announced plans to upgrade Butove Health Centre II to III and build new facilities in Kakoli, Kamonkoli, Iki-Iki, Kachomo, and Kabuna sub-counties.

“Development is ours, but wealth and poverty are yours,” he said, urging families to use land productively through the 4-acre model that combines food, cash crops, and livestock.

He cited Serere farmer Joseph Ijala, who earns shs6.8 million daily, and added, “You people of Budaka are very blessed because your wetlands can support fish farming and fruit growing.”

Museveni said job creation was now NRM’s fourth pillar after peace, development, and wealth creation, citing factories such as the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park that employs 12,000 people.

The President’s message was echoed by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who thanked him for bringing peace to Bukedi.

“Before you came, we used to run away from these areas because of the Karimojong rustlers and Lakwena rebels,” she said.

Among also appreciated the improved road network and pledged Bukedi’s overwhelming support for Museveni’s 2026 bid.

“We will deliver over 80 percent of the votes for NRM. Uganda belongs to all of us, and we believe in politics of ideology, not tribal interests,” she said.

NRM national treasurer Barbara Nekesa presented the Bukedi Service Delivery Handbook, outlining progress and pending projects, while Budaka NRM chairperson Eng. Musa Kyebene called for electricity extension, compensation for cattle rustling victims, and a new industrial park.