BUKOMANSIMBI: PEACE MAKES UGANDA A HAVEN FOR OVER TWO MILLION REFUGEES, SAYS PRESIDENT MUSEVENI

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement
(NRM) Presidential flag bearer for 2026 general elections, has today
described Uganda as a haven for refugees, attributing the country’s
hospitality to peace and stability.

Speaking at his second campaign rally of the day while addressing
thousands of supporters at Mirembe Muslim Primary School in Kitanda
Subcounty, Bukomansimbi District, the President said Uganda continues
to host about 2 million refugees because of the country’s enduring
peace.

“Some of our neighboring countries are still at war, and Uganda is
hosting about 2 million refugees. Peace must be protected,” he said.
President Museveni praised the residents of Bukomansimbi for attending
the rally despite heavy rains, describing them as children of fighters who
don’t play around.

“Generations here have thrived in peace without hearing a gunshot or
running from war. Even before the Europeans came, there were wars
among kingdoms, so we cannot take this peace for granted.”
He commended local farmers for their coffee production and pledged to
support them with micro-irrigation projects to increase yields in the dry
area.

On infrastructure, President Museveni highlighted ongoing and planned
road projects.

He noted that the Mpigi–Kanoni–Madu–Sembabule–Bukomansimbi–Masaka road had been a major breakthrough for the area and promised that the Sembabule–Matete–Mbirizi and Matete–Kibinge–Kyabakuza roads
would be worked on to improve access and trade.

The President also encouraged residents to embrace wealth creation
and modern farming techniques.

He cited Dr. Florence Muranga from Bushenyi, who harvests 53 tonnes
of bananas per acre through irrigation, far above the district average of 5
tonnes.

He further reminded citizens that development is important but escaping
poverty ultimately depends on individual initiative.
“I bought land at my Kisozi farm in 1990 when there were no roads or
electricity. By the time development came, I was already wealthy,” he
said.

On utilities, President Museveni said electricity now reaches most of the
district, and the government plans to extend it to all sub-counties and
villages.

He also observed that water coverage has improved, with more than
80% of residents having access to clean water.
On the other hand, the President also handed over the NRM flags to
aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and

other party candidates in Bukomansimbi District, formally endorsing their
participation in the upcoming elections.
On her behalf, the Speaker of Parliament and NRM’s Second National
Vice Chairperson (Female), Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, thanked
residents of Bukomansimbi for turning up in large numbers to welcome
President Museveni, describing the reception as a sign of strong support
for the NRM.
Rt. Hon. Among noted that coffee farming is the backbone of the local
economy but observed that the area is largely dry, which affects
productivity.
She said the farmers are eager to continue growing coffee and
improving their livelihoods, but require support to overcome the
challenge of unreliable rainfall.
The Speaker therefore called for the introduction of micro-irrigation
projects in the area, saying such interventions would enable farmers to
sustain production, increase yields and secure better incomes
throughout the year.
The Bukomansimbi District NRM Chairperson and National Chairperson
of the NRM League for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Mr. Shafik
Mwanje, on behalf of the district leadership and residents, welcomed
President Museveni to the area, saying the people were happy and
grateful to host him.
Mr. Mwanje described Bukomansimbi as a peaceful district whose
farmers are increasingly benefiting from coffee growing, but noted that
some poor roads continue to limit their full potential.

He appealed for the upgrading of the
Kagologolo–Bulenge–Kigangazi–Lukaya road and the
Kyabakuza–Buyoga–Matete road, saying improved access would help
farmers move their produce to markets more efficiently.
Health services also featured prominently in his remarks. Mr. Mwanje
appealed for the upgrading of Bukomansimbi Health Centre IV into a
district hospital, noting that the facility serves not only Bukomansimbi but
also patients from neighbouring districts, putting it under constant
pressure.
He said one of the district’s major achievements has been growing unity
among the people, and he called on residents to vote President
Museveni and NRM candidates for Parliament to sustain peace and
development.
According to the 2024 National Population Census, Bukomansimbi
District has a population of 197,568, spread across 9 sub-counties and
town councils, 39 parishes and 254 villages.
Under the Parish Development Model (PDM), the district has 39 Parish
SACCOs and has so far received Shs 13.96 billion, of which Shs 12.01
billion (86.2%) has been disbursed to 12,056 households. Out of the
district’s 41,689 households, about 29 percent have benefited so far.
Through Emyooga, Bukomansimbi has 36 SACCOs with 8,967
members, and the government has disbursed Shs 1.58 billion to support
small-scale enterprises.
In education, the district has 73 government and 99 private primary
schools, as well as 7 government and 16 private secondary schools.

All government secondary schools offer Universal Secondary Education
(USE) and Universal Post O-Level Education and Training, with a total
enrolment of 4,635 learners. However, 17 out of 39 parishes still lack a
government primary school, while 4 sub-counties do not have a
government secondary school.
Health infrastructure remains uneven. Of the nine sub-counties, only one
has a Health Centre IV and three have Health Centre IIIs, leaving five
sub-counties and town councils without a Health Centre III, IV or
hospital.
The government plans include upgrading Bigasa HCIII to HCIV,
upgrading Kigangazi HCII to HCIII, and constructing new Health Centre
IIIs in Bukomansimbi Town Council, Kagologolo Town Council, Butenga
and Bukango. Ongoing works include the construction of a theatre,
surgical ward and maternity unit at Butenga HCIV, and an OPD block at
Bigasa HCIII.
In the water sector, 89.4% of rural villages now have access to safe
water. Several piped water systems and production wells have been
constructed across the district, alongside projects such as the
Lutugunda Valley Tank in Kigangazi to support livestock and dry-season
resilience. Urban and small-town water systems now serve tens of
thousands of residents in Bukomansimbi, Butenga, Buyoga, Bigasa and
surrounding areas.
The government has also implemented irrigation interventions, including
the Makoomi solar-powered irrigation scheme, and plans to construct
the Mijumwa earth dam, with a storage capacity of 2.8 million cubic
metres, to support multi-purpose water use.

On power supply, Mr. Mwanje noted that Bukomansimbi is now
connected to the national grid, with 6 out of 9 sub-counties already
electrified.
He said the government plans to extend electricity to the remaining sub-
counties of Bukango, Butenga and Kagologolo Town Council in the next
term, to ensure inclusive development across the district.
The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC)
members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well
as thousands of supporters.