The drizzle that fell over Namisindwa on Saturday did little to dampen the crowd’s excitement. Men and women in yellow shirts swayed to local tunes, their eyes fixed on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who stood before them, speaking of peace, progress, and prosperity, the pillars that have defined Uganda’s transformation under the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“Peace is the foundation of everything. Without peace, there is no development. Without peace, there are no jobs, no wealth, no prosperity,” Museveni told the cheering crowd.
The President had come to remind Namisindwa’s residents that development alone does not guarantee prosperity. Since the 1960s, he said, leaders have taught that while infrastructure and services can be built, only those who seize opportunities to create wealth truly benefit from progress.
That message formed the heart of his campaign address, an appeal for continued support for the NRM and its mission to turn development into tangible wealth at the household level.
He outlined the four pillars of the NRM’s policies: peace, development, wealth creation, and job creation, describing them as the foundation for Uganda’s stability and long-term growth.
Museveni highlighted visible progress across Namisindwa, from the tarmac road linking Lwakhakha to Mbale to new schools, health facilities, and expanded water systems that have eased access to essential services. These, he said, are the building blocks of a community ready to thrive in the money economy.
“The government doesn’t provide jobs directly; it creates the conditions for you to create your own wealth,” Museveni explained.
He pointed to the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a key example, noting that more than Shs. 50 billion has been injected into Namisindwa to help families start income-generating activities. Farmers like Mudebo and Nyanaka Richard, he said, are now employing others because of the program’s success.
The President also credited initiatives such as Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, and Entandikwa for helping ordinary Ugandans break the cycle of poverty.
Turning to education, Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring free education at all levels, urging leaders to eliminate all hidden school fees. He cited the story of Joy Munyalo, a graduate of the State House Skilling Program, who now runs a small business and employs single mothers, a testament to the power of education and skills development.
“We are pushing for free education at all levels, a primary school in every parish, and a Health Centre III in every sub-county,” Museveni emphasized.
He told residents that peace and infrastructure must go hand in hand with individual effort. Roads, schools, and hospitals provide opportunities, but it is enterprise at the household level, that turns those opportunities into lasting prosperity.
As he concluded his speech, Museveni urged Namisindwa to remain steadfast in supporting the NRM’s vision of unity and continuity. His message was clear: development is visible, but wealth creation depends on how communities use it.
“We shall continue and even increase support for programs that help every household join the money economy,” he assured.
The President’s visit, part of his ongoing campaign trail in eastern Uganda, reaffirmed his message that Uganda’s progress is not accidental but the result of peace, planning, and persistence, values he said must guide Namisindwa into the next phase of transformation.