President Museveni's campaign in Busoga signals a pivotal moment, but what does it truly mean for the region's future?
On Saturday, President Museveni, representing the NRM party, kicked off his campaign trail in the Busoga sub-region, starting in Bugiri District. He was joined by key NRM leaders, including the First National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Moses Kigongo. Museveni's message to the thousands of supporters was clear: renew your trust in the NRM by voting for him and the party in the upcoming elections.
He emphasized the NRM's historical commitment to unity, peace, and national development, distinguishing it from other political groups. "We are a national party with a proven record," he stated, highlighting the rejection of divisive politics that plagued Uganda in the past. But here's where it gets controversial: Is the NRM's legacy truly as unifying as it claims, or are there underlying tensions that need addressing?
The President also outlined the government's infrastructural achievements in Busoga. Major road projects like Jinja–Kampala and Jinja–Tororo have been reconstructed, and new tarmac roads, such as Iganga–Kaliro and Busita–Namayingo, have been built. He promised more road projects, including Jinja–Kamuli–Mbulamuti and Iganga–Kiyunga–Kamuli, along with several roads within Bugiri District, such as Bugiri–Namayingo.
Addressing water access, Museveni explained that the geology of the Lake Victoria basin makes boreholes unsuitable. The plan is to pump water directly from Lake Victoria, similar to the Lira project, ensuring a reliable water supply for Bugiri residents. And this is the part most people miss: This solution highlights a proactive approach to infrastructural challenges, but what are the long-term sustainability plans?
In education, the President expressed concern over the uneven distribution of schools in Bugiri. While Bugiri District and Municipality have 149 government primary schools, 44 out of 102 parishes still lack one. He appealed to local leaders to address this issue, ensuring every parish has a government primary school. At the secondary level, with only 9 government secondary schools in 20 sub-counties, the President announced the construction of three new seed secondary schools under the UgIFT and USEEP programs. His goal is simple: every sub-county must have a secondary school, and every parish must have a government primary school.
President Museveni also made a distinction between wealth and development, pointing out that development can exist even in areas with poverty. He emphasized wealth creation in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. He reaffirmed the importance of the four-acre model introduced in the 1996 manifesto, citing success stories across the country. To boost household incomes, the government will continue supporting communities through the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and targeted youth funds.
Addressing job creation, the President noted that while government jobs number 480,000, real jobs come from factories, commercial agriculture, services, and ICT. Factories alone employ 1.3 million Ugandans, three times more than the government. He expressed frustration with resistance to free education and highlighted the success of Presidential Skilling Hubs in transforming the lives of young people.
President Museveni also endorsed aspiring Members of Parliament and other party candidates, handing over NRM flags. Alhaji Kigongo and Calvin Echodu expressed their gratitude for the support and the large turnout, indicating strong support for the President and the NRM. Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister, called for prioritizing tourism and industrial development in the region, while Hon. Solomon Silwany thanked the President for development programs.
NRM Impact in Bugiri: A Closer Look
Bugiri District has seen progress in education, healthcare, water access, and environmental conservation. The district and municipality have 149 primary schools serving over 105,000 children. Of its 102 parishes, 58 have a government primary school, leaving 44 without one. At the secondary level, 9 government secondary schools enroll 10,699 students, while Bugiri Municipality has 1 secondary school with 1,876 learners. Three additional secondary schools will be constructed. The Busoga Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Jinja has trained 961 youths. Bugiri’s health infrastructure includes 1 hospital, 1 HCIV, and 11 HCIIIs. Safe water coverage is at 67% in rural areas, with additional water and sanitation projects planned. Bugiri District’s wetlands cover 22,760 hectares, with 70% degraded.
What do you think? Does the NRM's vision for Busoga resonate with you? Are there any areas where you see room for improvement or alternative approaches? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
