Museveni pledges fertiliser fund, urging Kanungu on wealth and infrastructure

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President Yoweri Museveni has announced that the Government will establish a special fund to enable tea farmers in Kanungu District to access affordable fertilisers.

The intervention, he added, will boost productivity and strengthen the district’s tea-driven economy.

The President made the pronouncement on Wednesday, November 26, while addressing thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Rwere Playground in Kanungu District.

President Museveni greets some of Kanungu's political leaders as he arrives at Rwere play grounds in Kinkinzi East County in Kanungu district to address supporters at his campaign rally. (PPU)

Museveni, also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flagbearer, said the high cost of fertilisers had become a major constraint for growers, especially those managing large estates.

“My people – the tea growers – are saying that the cost of fertilisers is too high and it is becoming unaffordable for large-scale growers. We are going to start a special fund for them so that they can easily access these fertilisers,” President Museveni said, according to a release from the Presidential Press Unit (PPU).

President Museveni addressing his supporters during a campaign rally at Rwere play grounds, Kirima sub-county, Kinkinzi East County in Kanungu district on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (PPU)

NRM supporters express their support for President Museveni and the NRM party during a presidential campaign rally at Rwere play grounds, Kirima sub-county, Kinkinzi East County in Kanungu district on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (PPU)

He revealed that the financing would be channelled through farmers’ SACCOs, similar to the model the government is preparing for sugarcane growers and fishermen.

Tea growing is the economic backbone of Kanungu District, supported by large factories that process both estate tea and out-grower leaf.

President Museveni noted that the crop is best suited for people with extensive acreage, just like maize, sugarcane, and cotton, which require substantial land to generate meaningful income.

For smallholder farmers, the President emphasised the 4-Acre Model, introduced in the 1996 NRM manifesto, as a proven pathway out of poverty.

At the same rally, President Museveni outlined what he termed the “seven contributions of NRM”, peace topping the list.

National stability, he argued, remains the most essential achievement of his leadership. Museveni reminded residents of Kanungu, situated near the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), that they understand better the value of peace, given the insecurity that persists across the border.

“You, the people of Kanungu who are near the Congo border, know better what peace means,” he said, contrasting Uganda’s decades of stability with the turmoil faced by neighbouring countries.

The President further explained that Uganda’s peace-building success was achieved without reliance on international forces.

“As Uganda, we don’t need the United Nations to protect us. We do it ourselves because we emphasise prioritisation of what is essential in defence and not high salaries or good houses,” he noted.

President Museveni credited the NRM government with transforming Uganda’s road network and linking border points to major economic routes. He announced that more roads in the Kigezi sub-region would be upgraded, including the 149-kilometre Hamurwa–Kerere–Kanungu–Butogota–Hamayanza–Ifasha–Ikunza stretch.

Local leaders had earlier thanked the President for the Rukungiri–Kanungu road, which they said had significantly improved trade and movement in the area.

Turning to the subject of household wealth creation, President Museveni warned against what he termed as confusing government development projects, such as roads, electricity and schools, with personal prosperity.

NRM supporters listening to President Museveni's address during a campaign rally at Rwere play grounds, Kirima sub-county, Kinkinzi East County in Kanungu district on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (PPU)

Using a popular Busoga proverb, “Akange kakira akaife,” he explained that although public infrastructure benefits everyone, wealth remains a private responsibility.

“The tarmac road is ours, but wealth and poverty are yours personally,” he told the crowd. “You may leave a rally like this one and find poverty waiting for you at home.”

President Museveni cited long-tarmacked roads such as the Kabale–Mbarara–Masaka–Tororo highway, noting that despite the road’s longevity, many residents living along it remain poor. He stressed that while development enables economic opportunity, it does not guarantee wealth.

To illustrate his wealth creation message, the President showcased several success stories across Uganda. One of these is George Matongo of Nakaseke, who produces 900 litres of milk daily and earns over Shs 21m every month, despite living far from a tarmac road.

“This man is far away from the tarmac road. Development is not there, but wealth is there,” President Museveni said, noting the contrast between infrastructure and household productivity.

He also shared the story of Joseph Basangwa from Kamuli, who, after listening to the NRM wealth message, started JEKA Farm on a 50×100 ft plot. The enterprise now produces 200 trays of eggs daily, generating sh20 m per day and sh7.2 bn annually. Basangwa now employs more than 300 people.

Another model farmer he introduced via video footage was Mr Dickson, based in Abim, Karamoja, who planted mangoes using seedlings from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). After harvesting, he earned over sh12 m in 2023 and now anticipates sh36 million annually as Soroti Fruit Factory has contracted his produce. He also invested PDM funds into goats and cassava.

“That man is in Karamoja—no tarmac road, but electricity is there. OWC was for the whole country, but some of you never minded about it,” said Museveni.

The President underlined that Uganda’s real engine of employment is not government but commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. With a national population of 50 million, only about 480,000 jobs are within government structures.

“Factories in industrial parks now employ over 1.3 million people,” he said, citing Sino-Mbale, Kapeeka, and Mukono Industrial Parks as examples.

“The jobs in manufacturing and industrialisation are three times more than those in government.”

On education, the President expressed disappointment with individuals who continue to frustrate free education in government schools. He reminded the audience that the government launched Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1996, followed by Universal Secondary Education (USE), yet many children are still being sent away over school fees.

To demonstrate that free education is possible, President Museveni said he had established 19 Presidential Skilling Hubs across the country to train youths who dropped out of school.

The regional hub for Kigezi is located in Kabale, offering training in tailoring, welding, baking, carpentry, automotive mechanics, and several other trades.

The President heard testimonies from beneficiaries, including Kushemererwa Bosco, who studied welding and now employs four people, and Flavia Akankunda, who trained in tailoring.

At the same events, the NRM 2nd National Vice Chairperson, Anita Among, praised Kanungu residents for consistently supporting President Museveni, whom she credited for restoring peace in the Kigezi sub-region and across Uganda.

Former Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, also addressed the rally, saying President Museveni “understands Uganda more than everyone else” and urged voters to extend his mandate in 2026.

Mr Caleb Kipande, the NRM chairperson for Kanungu District, thanked the President for peace, the Rukungiri–Kanungu road, and the Matanda Irrigation Scheme, which he said will enhance agricultural resilience.

Dignitaries at the events included several cabinet ministers, MPs, and NRM historicals, and party bigwigs led by NRM Central Executive Committee members, led by Secretary General Richard Todwong.

Kanungu District, carved out of Rukungiri in 2001, comprises 27 sub-counties and town councils, 102 parishes, and 525 villages. According to the 2024 census, the district has a population of 310,062.

In the 2021 presidential election, Kanungu had 146,064 registered voters, of whom 60.5% turned up to vote. President Museveni garnered 72,126 votes (84.2%), while the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) scored 7.8%.

In 2025, the number of registered voters had risen to 164,992, while polling stations increased from 309 to 442.

Local NRM leaders thanked President Museveni for the Parish Development Model (PDM) project, which they said had significantly benefited the district. Kanungu has 102 parishes, 98 of which have received PDM funds, since four were created after the program’s launch.

To date, the district has received sh30.05 billion for PDM, of which 98.89% has been disbursed to 29,726 beneficiary households.

Through Emyooga, Kanungu has 36 SACCOs comprising 29,545 members, with the government releasing sh2.42 billion to support enterprise groups.

Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and his wife (C) pose for a photo with Speaker of Parliament Anita Among (2nd R), NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong (2nd L) and other NRM leaders during a campaign rally in Kanungu. (PPU)

Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi (C) and his wife share a light moment with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during President Museveni's campaign rally in Kinkinzi East, Kanungu district on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (PPU)

President Museveni hands over the party flag to Dr Chris Baryomunsi during a campaign rally at Rwere play grounds in Kinkinzi East in Kanungu district on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (PPU)

President Museveni hands over the party flag to Mrs Jacqueline Mbabazi during a campaign rally at Rwere play grounds in Kinkinzi East in Kanungu district on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (PPU)

President Museveni poses for a group photo with party flagbearers Mrs Jacqueline Mbabazi, Dr Chris Baryomunsi and others during a campaign rally at Rwere play grounds in Kinkinzi East in Kanungu on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (PPU)

President Museveni plays the drums gifted to him by Kanungu NRM flagbearers during a rally at Rwere play grounds in Kanungu district on Wednesday. (PPU)