President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged residents of Kitagwenda District to focus on increasing homestead incomes and to fully embrace free education offered in government Universal Primary and Secondary schools.
Addressing a rally at Kichwamba Secondary School on Monday, the President said improved infrastructure like roads and electricity are important, but they cannot transform lives unless families generate income. He emphasized that economic stability must begin at the household level.
“You can have roads, power, and schools, but if your home has no income, you remain poor,” President Museveni said.
He cited the success of Richard Nyakana, a farmer in Fort Portal who earns a living from one acre of land, as proof that even small landholders can achieve financial success.
Museveni identified the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a key tool for poverty alleviation. He said government allocates Shs 100 million annually to each parish to help residents access startup capital. Beneficiaries can borrow up to Shs 1 million at an interest rate of 6% to be repaid over two years.
“This money belongs to the people. It will not be returned to government,” he stated, urging citizens to report any misuse of PDM funds by local officials.
On education, the President reaffirmed government’s commitment to providing free learning in Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools. He announced that government will recruit more teachers and construct additional classrooms to support the policy.
Museveni donated buses to Kichwamba Secondary School and Humura Secondary School and contributed Shs 60 million towards the construction of Kitagwenda Mosque.
He commended residents for supporting peace and for rejecting rebel activities. He attributed national stability to the National Resistance Movement’s focus on politics of interest over identity and its inclusive approach to governance.
“The NRM does not discriminate based on religion or tribe. We promote unity and development for all,” he said.
Kitagwenda Woman MP Nyakato Dorothy and Kitagwenda County MP Nulu Byamukama thanked the President for creating the district and launching the PDM initiative.
Byamukama appealed to the President to tarmac key roads to ease the transportation of coffee to markets.
