PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CAUTIONS BUTAMBALA VOTERS AGAINST POLITICIANS FRUSTRATING DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR AREA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the National Resistance
Movement (NRM) Presidential flagbearer for 2026 general elections, has
cautioned the electorate against voting inexperienced politicians
especially from the opposition side whose focus is frustrating
government's development initiatives.

“Don’t take decisions by gambling which you will later regret. Vote the
NRM to be sure because our track record on development is known and
seen,” he said.

The President who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of
Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni made the remarks today
as he kicked-off his campaign trail in Greater Mpigi, beginning with
Butambala District.

President Museveni noted that it's crucial for voters to elect ideologically
oriented leaders aligned to the NRM party to support all development
interventions.
He also emphasized that the NRM’s pledges were not mere promises,
but extensions of the achievements already delivered.

“What we are talking about are not promises; we show that we have
delivered over the years, and now we are adding on to our promises,” he
said.
On peace, the President reflected on Uganda’s turbulent past and the
unity achieved under NRM leadership.

“Uganda was ungovernable at some point. Today, we are all united
regardless of tribes, religion, or gender. Everyone can see it—it’s not
about saying, it’s about doing,” he added.

Highlighting Butambala’s progress, the President pointed to
infrastructure, electricity, and water supply.

“We passed here in Butambala while working on the Kisozi- Mpigi-
Kibibi- Gombe-Kyanje-Mpenja-Kanoni-Kabulasoke road,” he said.
“All sub-counties in Butambala now have electricity, and 82 percent of
villages enjoy safe water.”

President Museveni also outlined projects that shall be worked on very
soon; including the Mitala-Maria and Bulo-Kanoni roads, as well as
water initiatives in Butambala District.

On personal initiatives, the President shared his own example of
productive farming.

“I have a personal model farm, one acre for coffee, one for bananas, one
for pasture, and one for cattle and fish. I earn Shs 100 million per year
and after costs, I remain with Shs 70 million.”

He also underscored the NRM’s role in promoting coffee farming in
Buganda, saying, “Masaka, Sembabule, and Rakai people are coffee

growers because of the NRM. Those who claim they introduced coffee
are not telling the truth.”

President Museveni further highlighted the importance of wealth creation
as a complement to development.

He cited Rashidah Namubiru, a PDM beneficiary from Butambala, who
transformed her life using PDM funds.

“I visited Rashidah myself. She started with goats and land, and today
she has multiplied her livestock and income. She is a living example of
how PDM changes lives,” he said.

Addressing misconceptions about employment, the President noted the
limits of government jobs.

“Uganda has about 480,000 government jobs for a population of 50
million. You cannot talk about jobs without talking about wealth. Jobs
come from commercial agriculture, factories, services, and ICT,” he said.
He cited Mbale Industrial Park, which houses over 75 factories and has
created thousands of jobs.

“While the government employs 480,000 people, new factories across
the country have already created 1.3 million jobs—nearly three times
more than the public sector.”

President Museveni revealed that the government was going to set up a
Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hub in Greater Mpigi to train the
youth in the area.

The President also heard the story of Sarah Nagayi, a young woman
from Kayunga who lost her mother and dropped out of school. Through

the Kayunga Presidential Skilling Hub, she trained in hairdressing at no
cost, graduated, and secured employment before starting her own salon.

“Today, Nagayi is skilled, a wealth creator, and an employer. She has
three employees, pays each Shs 150,000, earns Shs 1.5m per month,
and owns land. This is the Uganda we are building, where government
programs empower citizens to create wealth,” he said.

Furthermore, President Museveni urged Ugandans to embrace the
opportunities provided by NRM programs, emphasizing that peace,
development, and wealth creation remain the pillars of the party’s
agenda.

The President also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of
Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in
Butambala District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming
elections.

On her part, Maama Janet called on residents of Butambala to turn out
in large numbers and support President Museveni and the NRM, saying
the party remains the strongest guarantor of Uganda’s unity and peace.

“As you come here today, remember that this enthusiasm should
translate into votes. We are looking at 70% and above,” she said.

She cautioned supporters against limiting mobilisation to rallies, urging
them to ensure that no one is left behind on polling day.

“These numbers you see here should not be for this rally only. When
January 15, 2026, comes, go out and vote. Do not leave anyone at
home. Let everyone participate,” she said.

Maama Janet reminded the crowd of the historical mission of the NRM,
saying the party fought to restore unity in a country once torn apart by
division and conflict.

“The NRM government went to fight for unity. Our National Anthem
reminds us that Uganda is united for freedom and that together we shall
always stand as one nation,” she said.

“When you vote for the NRM, you are voting for unity and peace.”
She warned that instability remains a reality in many neighbouring
countries, forcing thousands of refugees to seek safety in Uganda.

“Many countries around us do not have peace, which is why we host
refugees. I am sure you do not want Uganda to be like that,” she said.
Maama Janet emphasised that Uganda’s strength lies in its unity beyond
religion and tribe, urging citizens to safeguard that legacy for future
generations.
“Today, Ugandans are united. We are not divided by tribe or religion. We
want our children to find this unity intact because that is where
development is built,” she said, urging the people of Butambala to
overwhelmingly support President Museveni and the NRM.

The NRM First National Vice Chairperson, Alhajji Moses Kigongo also
rallied residents to support the ruling party, describing it as a movement
founded on truth, discipline and service to the people.

“We have come here at the right time to ask for your votes. We need
disciplined people who are patriotic and love their country,” Alhajji
Kigongo said.

He warned residents against engaging in activities that promote chaos,
urging them to instead protect peace and national stability.
“Do not be part of groups that cause confusion. Love your country and
protect its peace,” he said.

The Speaker of Parliament and Second National Vice Chairperson of the
NRM (Female), Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, thanked the residents for
turning up in large numbers and reiterated government commitment to
service delivery in the area.

She also acknowledged calls from leaders and residents to upgrade
Gombe Hospital into a regional referral hospital to serve the greater
Mpigi sub-region and neighbouring districts.

Rt. Hon. Among praised President Museveni for consistently
encouraging leaders to develop their home areas and lead by example.
“Even when you lose an election, you remain a leader to your people.
Leadership is about service, setting an example and developing your
community,” she said.

The Butambala NRM Chairperson, Mr. Herbert Mugarura hailed
President Museveni for what he described as “tangible and life-changing
government interventions” that are steadily transforming the district,
particularly in women empowerment, wealth creation, education, health
and water access.

Mr. Mugarura thanked the President for prioritising ordinary Ugandans
through programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and
Emyooga, which he said have restored hope among households
previously trapped outside the money economy.

“Butambala is grateful for your leadership, Your Excellency. The
empowerment of women and households through PDM and Emyooga
has strengthened families and reduced vulnerability,” the chairperson
said.

He noted that Butambala District, with a population of 146,516 people
according to the 2024 census, is administratively composed of seven
sub-counties and town councils, 25 parishes and 141 villages. The
district currently has 66,932 registered voters, an increase of 11,119
voters, while polling stations have risen from 123 in 2021 to 169, a sign
of growing civic participation.

On wealth creation, Mr. Mugarura revealed that all 25 parishes in the
district have benefited from the Parish Development Model, receiving a
cumulative Shs8.9 billion, of which Shs7.46 billion (86.2%) has already
been disbursed to 7,461 beneficiary households.

He added that the district also has 18 Emyooga SACCOs with 8,116
members, which have so far received Shs780 million from the
government.

In education, the Chairperson reported that Butambala has 68
government primary schools enrolling 24,284 pupils, and 12 government
secondary schools with 9,607 students. Of these secondary schools,
nine offer Universal Secondary Education and Universal Post-O Level
Education, serving 6,110 learners.

While 22 of the 25 parishes have at least one government primary
school, three are still lacking. Similarly, six of the seven sub-counties
have a government secondary school. However, he said the ongoing

construction of two seed secondary schools will ensure that every sub-
county has a government secondary school once completed.
In the health sector, Mr. Mugarura said the district has one hospital and
six Health Centre IIIs, ensuring that every sub-county has at least one
public health facility.

He further highlighted significant progress in the water sector, noting that
123 out of 141 rural villages now have access to safe water, translating
into 87.2 percent coverage.

He cited completed projects such as the Gombe–Kyabadaza Townships
Piped Water Supply and Sanitation System, which serves over 55,000
people, alongside several water supply systems in Ngando, Kibibi, Bulo,
Kirokola and Kabasanda.

Ongoing and planned projects include new boreholes, extension of
piped water systems, rehabilitation of old water sources, and the Greater
Gomba Piped Water Supply and Sanitation System, which will further
improve access in underserved areas.

On water for production, the Chairperson said government-funded solar-
powered irrigation schemes in Bulo, Ngando, Kalamba and Gombe sub-
counties have expanded irrigation acreage, increased crop yields and
boosted household incomes.

He noted that one scheme in Gombe is already producing six tonnes of
coffee and beans annually, earning farmers about Shs9.6 million.
Mr. Mugarura concluded by thanking the President for connecting
Butambala to the national electricity grid, saying the milestone has

opened new opportunities for agro-processing, trade and industrial
growth.

The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC)
members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders,