Museveni launches Rwenzori campaign, pledges construction of Kasese international airport

_________________

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has started his campaign trail in the Rwenzori sub-region, beginning with a big rally at Nyakasanga Playground in Kasese Municipality.

Addressing the gathering earlier on Thursday (Dec. 4), President Museveni elaborated on seven contributions the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has made to Uganda over the last 40 years, emphasising peace, development, wealth creation, and job creation as pillars that have transformed the country.

President Museveni accompanied by speaker of parliament, Anitah Among, welcomed by district officials. (PPU)

NRM supporters during the campaign rally in Kasese. (PPU)

He told residents that Kasese is among the best witnesses of peace because of its proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), noting that Uganda is currently hosting 700,000 refugees from Congo who cannot return to their country due to continued instability.

The President said groups that attempted to destabilise the district were defeated and peace in Uganda “will remain like ripe bananas—you only see them, but you cannot touch or eat them.”

A release from the Presidential Press Unit states that during development, the President highlighted both economic and social infrastructure. He also announced that the government has started repairing the railway line from Malaba and that Kasese will instead receive a new Standard Gauge Railway. He added that after the Hoima airport is built for the oil sector, the government will construct another international airport in Kasese to boost tourism.

NRM supporters during the campaign rally in Kasese. (PPU)

Listing other projects, Museveni said the Government has worked on major roads in the area, including Fort Portal–Kasese (done twice), Katunguru–Ishaka, and Kikorongo–Bwera, which will soon be redone.

He also assured thousands at his rally that the government will also work on the Mityana–Kyegegwa road and many others.

He, however, lashed at leaders whom he criticised for failure to prioritise key issues and instead choose salary increments over infrastructure, noting that prioritisation enabled the government to deliver long stretches of tarmac such as Lyantonde–Kazo–Ibanda–Kamwenge.

He explained that Kasese and Ntungamo districts require additional road machinery since their annual road fund allocation of sh1 billion is inadequate, assuring residents that more equipment will be provided.

On electricity, President Museveni reaffirmed the government's vision of connecting every district and every sub-county in Uganda, saying that, apart from Buvuma Island, all districts are connected and the next target is full sub-county coverage.

President Museveni hailed Kasese's record on social services, describing it as good. The district has   260 government primary schools and 25 government secondary schools providing Universal Secondary Education and Universal Post-O-Level Education and Training.

Observing that the district has two hospitals, the President said that the government plans continued expansion and upgrading of health facilities.

On wealth creation, the President reminded the population that development alone does not translate into prosperity unless households embrace productive activities. 

He re-echoed the four-acre model introduced in the 1996 Manifesto, advising residents to plant coffee, fruits, pasture, food crops, keep poultry or pigs, and practice fish farming where possible.

He cited George Matongo of Ngoma as an example of someone who followed the NRM guidance and now earns sh21 million monthly from dairy farming despite living in an area without tarmac roads or electricity. 

He said only 30% of Ugandans remain outside the money economy and urged residents to help mobilise them.

President Museveni also warned that he will investigate and arrest the culprits who have been accused of stealing the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.

On job creation, the President emphasised that employment comes mainly from commercial agriculture, services, ICT and factories—not government. He said factories alone have created 1.3 million jobs, compared to 480,000 government jobs. He encouraged youth to utilise skilling centres to acquire employable and wealth-generating skills.

The 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female) and Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, thanked the President for ensuring that Kasese remains peaceful despite its border with conflict-hit DRC.

She also appreciated the President for funding interventions along the River Nyamwamba, which has long caused flooding and displacement.

Kasese District NRM Chairperson, Mr Mbahimba James, also praised the President for restoring peace and spurring development, including schools, hospitals, business growth, increased population and improved access to safe water.

He thanked him for wealth creation programs such as PDM and Emyooga, saying they have improved household incomes.

He raised challenges in Lwehingo, Kabukero and Kyabatukura and requested the President’s intervention.