President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Thursday told thousands of supporters in Hoima City that peace, development and wealth creation remain the pillars of Uganda’s transformation, as he outlined the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) key achievements over the last four decades.
Addressing a packed rally at Booma Grounds, the President presented the NRM Manifesto to residents of Hoima District and Hoima City.
Museveni said the NRM’s first and most important contribution has been the restoration of peace. “Thank you for coming in big numbers. I am here with other NRM leaders to present to you the contributions the NRM has put on Uganda for the last 40 years. The first contribution is peace and that one we don’t need to explain,” he said.
He explained that development depends on strong economic and social infrastructure. He cited expanded road networks in Bunyoro, improved telecommunications, and ongoing electrification projects. He noted that 12 out of 14 Sub-counties and Town Councils in Hoima District are already connected to the grid, with Kiganja and Kijongo set for connection in the next term.
Museveni pointed to growth in social services, saying Hoima District now has 64 government primary schools and 6 government secondary schools, while Hoima City has 33 government primary schools and 5 government secondary schools. He said four Seed Secondary Schools under construction will reduce the number of Sub-counties without government secondary schools from eight to four.
In the health sector, he highlighted upgrades across facilities in Hoima District and the services at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, including a CT scan, a new X-ray machine under shipment, four radiologists, a functional ICU and a 15m³ oxygen plant.
Museveni said household wealth creation must move alongside infrastructure development. “Development is good, but it’s not enough without wealth creation. We have been advising you to stop working only for the stomach but also work for the pocket,” he said.
He encouraged small landholders to adopt the four-acre model and urged large landowners to invest in tea, ranching and cotton. He also cautioned on the responsible management of Uganda’s oil, noting that the country has confirmed 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil in the Albertine region.
“In Uganda now we have new wealth, oil… But some people want us to misuse this money. Oil will only last about 20 years, so we must invest it in long-term projects,” he said.
Museveni assured Bunyoro residents that government will build a separate industrial park for agro-processing in addition to the Kabalega Industrial Park, noting that food and petroleum industries cannot operate in the same place.
He said job creation will come from commercial agriculture, factories, services and ICT, and urged Hoima youth to make use of skilling centres to acquire employable skills.
NRM leaders who joined the rally commended Museveni for spearheading major developments in Bunyoro. The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja thanked the President for championing women’s empowerment.
NRM Vice Chairperson Western Uganda, Asiimwe Jonard, applauded mobilisers for strengthening support for the party, and Hoima District NRM Chairperson, Vincent Muhumuza Savannah, thanked the President for key infrastructure projects but raised concerns over land evictions. He asked government to help residents acquire affordable and secure land titles.
