PRESIDENT MUSEVENI PROMISES ROAD UPGRADES IN BUTALEJA, COMMENDS DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS IN THE DISTRICT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the NRM Presidential flag
bearer, has today promised to tarmac major roads in Butaleja District, as
he addressed thousands of supporters at Booma Grounds during a
campaign rally.

President Museveni highlighted the Nabumali–Butaleja–Namutumba
Road and the Tororo–Nagongera–Busolwe Road as key projects that
had been delayed.

“Now we have secured the funds, and the contractor has already been
identified. These roads would have been completed earlier if priorities
were handled properly. Let’s learn how to plan and execute effectively,”
he said.

The President attributed past delays to poor budgeting and overloading
of projects.

“When people bring too many things into the budget at the same time,
important projects get scattered. Members of Parliament and the
population must understand that you cannot pursue everything at once,”
he emphasized.

Reflecting on the district’s turbulent past, he noted: “The elders here
witnessed the challenges of cattle rustling, rebel activity, and instability.
Otherwise, these roads could have been done long ago.”

President Museveni lauded Butaleja’s progress across multiple sectors,
noting that the district is doing well on water, whereby out of 443
villages, 418 now have access to safe water, that is 94% with 25
remaining.

On Irrigation, he said: “I can see irrigation schemes in Doho and Walala.
That is good, as they take water from the river and irrigate their crops.
Those growing in the swamp will require further discussion.”

He noted that all the sub-counties have been electrified apart from the
sub-county headquarters, which he said will also be connected.
On health, he said: “For the 15 sub-counties here, one has a covenant
district hospital, one has a Health Centre IV, and 11 have Health Centre
IIIs. Only two sub-counties lack Health Centre IIIs.”

On agriculture, President Museveni praised locals for embracing
irrigation techniques for rice cultivation.
“Rice grown under irrigation yields Sh7m. per acre before costs, and
Sh5m after costs. This is the productive rice, not the one growing in the
swamp,” he said.

He also reiterated his vision for diversified farming in the district,
outlining seven key activities: one acre for coffee, one acre for fruit, third
acre for pasture with zero-grazing cows, and the fourth acre for family
food, poultry in the backyard, piggery , and fish farming near wetlands.

“These activities provide both income and food security. People who
have interpreted our message are now doing well,” the President added.
President Museveni concluded by encouraging the people of Butaleja to
continue building on these achievements, emphasizing that
infrastructure, agriculture, and proper planning are central to sustainable
development.

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

Rt. Hon. Anitah Among, Speaker of Parliament and NRM second vice-
chairperson, recounted her experience during the past conflicts.
“We left Bukedea and came to Butaleja to help refugees. Your
Excellency, we are grateful for the Budumba Bridge, which is now under
construction.”

She also requested that Butaleja be included in the restocking program
to support livestock recovery in areas affected by cattle rustling.
Mr. Moses Pabire, Butaleja District NRM Chairperson, highlighted the
community’s strong NRM support.

“After serving in the youth league, the revolutionary members of the
party elevated me to NRM chairperson. It is my singular honor to
welcome our Excellency to Butaleja, the land of rice, which has
flourished under your leadership.

NRM impact in Butaleja:

The district has 102 government primary schools and 70 private primary
schools, 13 government secondary schools and 22 private secondary
schools.

All government secondary schools provide Universal Secondary
Education (USE) and Universal Post-Ordinary Level Education and
Training. The construction of two Seed Secondary Schools will reduce
the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school
from six to four.

Butaleja has embraced irrigation schemes, with Doho covering 2,760
acres and Wapala 253 acres, benefiting over 3,500 households. Rice
grown under irrigation is particularly productive, yielding significant
income per acre.

The district also benefits from the Parish Development Model (PDM) and
Emyooga SACCOs; Out of 65,776 households, 23,285 (35.4%) have
received PDM funds totaling Shs. 23.28bn.

Butaleja has 35 Emyooga SACCOs with 13,619 members, receiving
Shs.1.23bn in government support.

Butaleja has 15 sub-counties/town councils, 76 parishes, and 443
villages, with a population of 312,771 according to the 2024 census.

The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC)
members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well
as thousands of supporters.