Museveni pledges industrial park for Kayunga, firm action against land grabbing

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The midday sun set high over Busaana Town Council playgrounds yesterday as thousands of people gathered to attend President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s rally at Kayunga District.

It was Museveni’s first rally in Greater Mukono. The National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) flag-bearer for the 2026 general elections, who is seeking another term for presidency, began his rally speech with appreciation for the people of Kayunga, whom he said had pleased him by turning up in large numbers.

He went on to pledge an industrial park for the district and firm action against land grabbing and asked residents to identify land suitable for the establishment of the park in Kayunga District.

“If you secure big land, about three square miles, I will establish an industrial park here to attract factories and create jobs,” he declared, igniting loud cheers and flag-waving across the crowd.

On the sensitive issue of land grabbing and evictions, Museveni took a firm stand against grabbing and illegal evictions.

“Landlords must not chase tenants away. The Constitution recognises all forms of land tenure and guarantees secure settlement for all citizens, including tenants. Land grabbing is illegal and often fueled by ignorance of the law. However, the government has already compensated some landlords and will continue doing so to ensure tenants remain secure on their land,” he said.

Museveni made these pledges after the Kayunga NRM Chairperson Moses Karangwa echoed local concerns, highlighting evictions involving influential figures and proposing the conversion of Lusenke government farm into an industrial park to draw investors.

Karangwa said land eviction was still a challenge in the district, pointing out that Maj. General Elly Kayanja, whom he accused of evicting over 50 residents from Bajjo central forest reserve in Galilaya sub-county where residents had been cultivating and grazing animals for survival.

“It is unfortunate that people who are displacing residents from land are your generals in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), and I have already reported this case to you before, but no action has been taken yet,” Karangwa said.

He continued, “I kindly request you to do something for these generals because many people are suffering after being evicted from the land where they were doing their farming activities.”

On the side of education, Karangwa appreciated the president, noting that the government had built over 30 new classroom blocks in various primary schools to accommodate the increasing number of learners.

However, he said that there were four sub-counties in the district that did not have seed schools and asked the president to ensure that seed schools are constructed in the missing sub-counties of Kitimbwa, Kangulumira, Nazigo, and Kitimbwa town councils.

Regarding the industrial park, Karangwa asked President Museveni to turn the Lusenke government farm in Busaana sub-county into an industrial park to attract investors who will establish factories in the area that will provide employment opportunities to the young unemployed population.

He said Lusenke farm sits on 5 square miles of land, which is enough to establish an industrial park that would create employment opportunities, especially for the youth in the area.

During the rally, NRM Vice Chairperson Moses Kigongo, who welcomed the president to the stage to address the people, urged the people of Kayunga to vote for NRM leadership from top to bottom.

Kigongo also urged voters to remain calm and avoid being provoked by opposition groups. ‘Those others may try to provoke you, but leave them aside. After voting, your neighbour will remain your neighbour. Be disciplined, and remember, unity is key,” he said.

He further appealed to party leaders to be honest and transparent, advising them not to sue security personnel to settle personal disputes. “Do not use our soldiers to fight your wars. Even the soldiers who will be used will be prosecuted along with those who misuse them,” Kigongo warned.

The speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, who also addressed the rally, credited the NRM government for key infrastructure projects in the area, such as Isimba Dam and Sezibwa Bridge, which is under construction. She said the Sezibwa Bridge project would be made a tourist attraction in the district.

She cautioned against political double-dealing and urged residents to remain loyal to the party, but also acknowledged gaps in government programmes, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that it had not reached everyone.

“We have PDM, but it does not cover everybody, especially youth and women, and I have asked that the budget be brought to Parliament so that more funds can be allocated,” she said.

Among further pointed to planned road works, noting that funding had recently been approved for a sh331 billion Kayunga–Galilaaya to Kamuli District road.

Janet Museveni Roots for NRM Support

During the rally, President Museveni asked his wife, Janet Museveni, who had accompanied him to the rally, to greet the people first.

“I greet you, the people of Kayunga. Thank you for coming in big numbers like this. Let Mama Janet Museveni greet you first, then I will also say a few words,” said candidate Museveni.

Stepping forward, the First Lady, Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister of Education and sports, began her address by wishing the people a happy new year and a successful year 2026.

“We wish you a happy and victorious year 2026. Thank you for coming and understanding that all of us want to build Uganda going forward together.”

Janet Museveni noted that the people’s endurance under the sun depicted their willingness to build the country. “To stand here together in the sun shows we are willing to build Uganda together. Remember our vote is a brick in Uganda’s house, so vote NRM and protect peace.

She urged families not to leave anyone behind on voting day and reminded the people of the sacrifices that brought peace. “Please remember January 15, vote for the President and the whole NRM lineup so Uganda becomes a homeland for you and all your children,” said Janet Museveni.

Museveni on Poverty Eradication

After Kayunga, candidate Museveni proceeded to the next venue for his rally at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Naggalama in Nakifuma-Naggalama town council, Mukono district.

But his message cut across for both rallies as he shared poverty eradication tips with supporters and pledged continued support for issues affecting the residents.

While in Kayunga, Museveni highlighted the NRM Manifesto’s seven pillars that the ruling party plans to leverage to build the nation, should they be elected to office again.

However, he told the people that peace had already been achieved in the country and that his focus now was on putting money in homes.

“Our focus now is putting money into people’s homes. Development issues like jobs, electricity, water, and roads are important, but without wealth at home, poverty will still wait for you and your children,” he stressed.

The President advocated for intensive, modern farming on small plots, urging families to leverage the 4 Acre Model and integrate coffee, fruits, food crops, and livestock rearing. He emphasised leading by example, pointing to his own demonstration farm.

“Whatever I tell you, I have tried myself,” he said, and highlighted lucrative opportunities like fish farming on Lake Kyoga, noting that two ponds on one acre could generate up to sh140 million shillings after costs, with government support available through youth SACCOs.

Museveni praised Kayunga’s uptake of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds and called for the wise use of these revolving resources to transform households.

In Mukono District, Museveni explained that whatever successes have been registered under the NRM have not been accidental, but a deliberate result of pillars like peace, which he said has enabled investments like education advancement to take root.

He emphasised his commitment to eliminating household poverty across the country. He told the crowd that he does not want poverty in people’s homes, citing his own experience in Kisozi, in Gomba District.

“In my home area of Kisozi, I told my people that I don’t want poor neighbours. We have about 2,300 households there, and I engaged all of them to take up economic activities that add income to their homes. That is what I want every homestead in Uganda to do,” Museveni said.

He urged residents of Kayunga and Mukono District to embrace government wealth-creation programs, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM), as a pathway out of poverty.

He warned against the misuse and neglect of PDM funds and called on residents to actively monitor the program and report to any corrupt officials involved in its implementation.

Museveni directed residents on proper land utilisation and the selection of viable commercial enterprises and promised to establish a large-scale fish farming initiative in Kayunga district for residents organised in SACCOs as a means of boosting household incomes and local economic development.

Government Priorities

He highlighted key government priorities, including combating drug theft in public health facilities, universal education programs, and broader wealth-creation initiatives.

He tasked both leaders and residents to assert their authority in overseeing service delivery and ensuring that government programs are effectively implemented.

He criticised leaders who fail their constituents and tackled corruption in health services, directing the Kayunga Resident District Commissioner, Mariam Sseguya, to report on actions taken against offenders at facilities like Bbaale Health Centre IV.

President Museveni further challenged voters to elect NRM leaders who are capable of monitoring government programs and ensuring accountability at the grassroots level.

He also urged elected leaders to lead by example in wealth creation, pledging to fast-track the expansion of irrigation schemes in the area.

He outlined various job opportunities created under the NRM government in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and the services sector, citing several success stories.

President Museveni emphasised the importance of skills training as a viable avenue for job creation, pointing to graduates of the Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hubs as evidence of its success.

On land matters, he instructed the NRM Secretariat to extract and popularise constitutional land provisions developed by the Constituent Assembly, which protect tenants from unlawful evictions.

He urged residents to understand their land rights to counter land grabbing and illegal evictions.

He noted that the Constitution recognises all forms of land tenure and guarantees secure settlement for all citizens, including tenants.

Today, the president is expected to campaign in Buvuma and Buikwe districts.