PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WOOS KABAROLE AND FORT PORTAL VOTERS, PLEDGES MORE DEVELOPMENT NEXT TERM IN OFFICE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held his campaign
rally at St. Leo’s Kyegobe Playground in Fort Portal City, addressing
both Kabarole District and Fort Portal City residents.
President Museveni reiterated the NRM’s core contributions to Uganda,
beginning with peace.

He noted that communities in the Rwenzori sub region understand the
value of peace because of the instability in the neighbouring Democratic
Republic of Congo.

President Museveni emphasised that stability was achieved because the
NRM rejected politics of sectarianism based on religion, tribe and
gender, enabling the government to build strong national institutions
such as the army, police and judiciary.

On development, the President explained that it consists of economic
infrastructure like roads, electricity, telecommunications and railway. He
highlighted the road network in the region, noting that when the NRM
came into government, tarmac roads stopped in Mityana.

The NRM extended the Mityana–Mubende–Fort Portal road and constructed
several others, boosting socio-economic transformation.

He assured the public that road works—both tarmac and marrum would
continue.
President Museveni, however, expressed concern about the poor
maintenance of marrum roads, despite the government sending funds,
saying some sub-counties either lack adequate resources or mismanage
what is allocated. He assured residents that the government will
investigate and resolve the issue.

President Museveni further revisited the teachers’ recent demands for
salary increments, saying the government had prioritised critical
investments such as roads and defence. He explained that soldiers still
live in grass-thatched houses because the government prioritised
security over accommodation, which enabled Uganda’s stability.

Speaking on the third NRM contribution—wealth creation—the President
gave the example of Tumusime Deziranta of Rubirizi, who lived near a
tarmac road for 64 years but remained poor, illustrating that
development alone does not create individual wealth.

He emphasised the need to separate wealth creation (personal) from
development (public). He reminded residents of the 1996 four-acre
model for small landholders, encouraging mixed enterprises such as
coffee, fruits, pasture, food crops, poultry, piggery and fish farming for
those near wetlands.

He highlighted the Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Fred
Byamukama as a successful example of the four-acre model and
announced that the government will create a revolving fund to help
farmers acquire fertilisers for better yields.

The President reported that Uganda’s coffee production has grown to 9
million bags annually, showing that both individuals and the nation are
becoming richer.

He also underscored NRM’s fourth contribution—job creation—saying
that jobs come from commercial agriculture, factories, services and ICT.
President Museveni welcomed requests for an industrial park in Fort
Portal and revealed that the government has already secured 10 square
miles in Kyaka for the park.

He encouraged urban dwellers and those not interested in agriculture to
embrace skilling programmes to fight poverty and create employment.
The Speaker of Parliament and Second National Vice Chairperson of the
NRM, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among thanked the President for giving Fort
Portal a city status.

She also appealed to the people of Fort Portal and Kabarole to vote for
President Museveni and other NRM flagbearers.

Kabarole District NRM Chairperson, Hon. Victoria Businge Rusoke,
thanked the President for the peace ushered in by the NRM, which has
enabled development across the region.

She also appreciated the granting of city status to Fort Portal and the
establishment of Mountains of the Moon University serving nine districts.
She pledged 99% support for the President in the forthcoming elections.

Fort Portal City NRM Chairperson, Mrs. Claire Kasande, hailed the
President for the development registered in the area, across sectors
such as education, health, water, electricity and others.