What they said as Museveni wrapped up Rwenzori-Toro campaigns

RWENZORI - President Yoweri Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM concluded his campaign rallies in Rwenzori and Toro sub-regions in Kyenjojo on Tuesday (December 9).

At the final rally attended by a large gathering of supporters clad in yellow T-shirts at Katoosa Primary School, a number of people were invited to address the crowd.

Here is what they said:

NRM Second Vice-Chairperson Anita Among

The NRM Second National Vice-Chairperson (Female) and Speaker of Parliament praised President Museveni for championing critical infrastructure development and supporting improved service delivery in the district.

“I thank you all for coming and for the warm welcome. I also recognise our religious leaders who are here with us today. Your presence reflects the unity and faith of the people of Kyenjojo."

Among also thanked the President for prioritising road infrastructure in the region, noting that several key routes linking Kyenjojo to neighbouring districts are currently under construction or rehabilitation.

She also acknowledged the government's commitment to upgrading the Kyenjojo–Kyakatwire–Kamwenge Road, noting that while the pledge has been long-standing, its inclusion in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) is a significant step towards its eventual construction.

"It gives us confidence that the people of Kyenjojo have been heard."

On health services, Among expressed concern about congestion at Kyenjojo General Hospital, noting that the facility continues to receive a high number of patients from within and beyond the district. She appealed for support to secure additional land to allow expansion and modernization of the hospital.

“Kyenjojo General Hospital is increasingly overcrowded. We humbly request support to acquire more land so that it can be expanded into a more modern facility."

The Speaker also asked to consider increasing funding for road maintenance in the district, with district leaders noting that Kyenjojo’s size and road network are comparable to major regional districts such as Fort Portal and Kasese.

“Given the size of Kyenjojo, we may need to double the district road maintenance fund to keep our roads in good condition."

NRM Kyenjojo chairperson Edward Nkonge Rwamwaro

He credited President Museveni’s leadership for sustaining peace, unity and steady socio-economic transformation in the district and across the country.

“We thank President Museveni for the peace that has prevailed in Uganda for all these years. For four decades, our country has remained stable, and this has enabled our people to work, invest and plan for the future,” he said.

“Since 1986 up to today, the President has continuously preached unity. He united Ugandans and reminded us that development can only come when we work together as one people."

Rwamaro said the government’s wealth creation agenda is now bearing visible results in Kyenjojo, citing interventions under the Parish Development Model and Emyooga programmes.

He also thanked the President for the construction of the Kyenjojo Presidential Zonal Skilling Hub, which he said has benefitted many unprivileged youth that had lost hope after dropping out of school. 

“Your Excellency, we thank you for this hub because so far about 175 youth have benefited. This has saved and changed lives forever because they get skills at a free cost."

Rwamwaro reported that Kyenjojo, which has 31 sub-counties and town councils, 167 parishes and 892 villages, has so far received over 51.6 billing shillings under PDM, benefiting 51,799 households, representing 39.5% of the district’s total households.

“The wealth creation gospel that President Museveni introduced is working. Thousands of households in Kyenjojo are already benefiting, and more will continue to be reached."

Under the Emyooga programme, he noted that the district has 54 SACCOs with 25,336 members, which have collectively received 2.76 billion shillings, boosting small businesses and household incomes.

Rwamwaro also highlighted progress in infrastructure and agriculture, thanking the government for coffee value-addition machines and the construction of community access roads, which have improved market access and rural connectivity.

On education, he said Kyenjojo now has 128 government primary schools enrolling nearly 79,000 pupils, and 11 government secondary schools offering Universal Secondary Education and post-O-Level training.

He welcomed the ongoing construction of three seed secondary schools, describing it as a major step toward expanding access to secondary education, especially in underserved sub-counties.

Health service delivery has also improved, according to the NRM district chair, with the district hosting a hospital, a health centre IV and multiple health centre IIIs. 

He said government plans to construct additional health centre IIIs in several sub-counties in the hope of reducing the distance residents travel to access healthcare.

On water and sanitation, Rwamwaro said the government investments have significantly expanded access to safe water through boreholes and piped water systems, benefiting thousands of residents in both rural and urban areas.

He acknowledged ongoing projects and rehabilitations aimed at addressing remaining gaps, particularly in hard-to-reach villages.

He further welcomed the extension of electricity to Kyenjojo, saying it has boosted businesses and service delivery, and expressed optimism that the remaining sub-counties will be connected in the next government term.

“All these achievements show what peace, unity and focused leadership can deliver. As Kyenjojo, we remain grateful and committed to supporting programmes that uplift our people and transform our district."

Skilling Hub beneficiary Cedon Kokugonza

The a beneficiary of the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Kyenjojo gave her testimony.

She said she dropped out of school in Senior Two and remained stranded until she learnt about the skilling hub, where she was admitted to train in hairdressing.

“Everything was free: accommodation, food and training."

After completing the course, Kokugonza secured employment and earned 400,000 shillings, which she supplemented with support from her parents to raise start-up capital of 500,000 shillings.

She now owns a salon, keeps poultry and employs three workers.

“My life changed forever."