In 1972, a young Yoweri Kaguta Museveni slipped quietly into Iganga carrying 12 machine guns from Tanzania. He hid the weapons in a modest lodge, locked the door, and spent the rest of the day in Namasagali to avoid suspicion. More than five decades later, he returned to Busoga in full daylight, no longer a clandestine operative, but a president urging disciplined development and renewed focus on public services.
Addressing supporters in Luuka District on Thursday, Museveni used memories from his past to underscore the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s journey and its priorities ahead of the 2026 elections. He said peace had allowed Uganda to shift from fighting to planning, and from uncertainty to long-term investment in education, health, wealth creation, and infrastructure.
“We are here with other leaders to present to you the NRM manifesto for 2026–2031, and in that manifesto we point out to you that in the last 40 years, NRM has made seven contributions to Uganda,” he said.
Resolving the Lakwena Victims’ Issue
The President directed the Minister for the Presidency to work with the Attorney General to resolve the long-standing matter of gratuity payments for Lakwena war victims. He responded to a briefing by Luuka District NRM chairperson Stephen Kisa, who said a clean list had been verified with Brig. Gen. Jacob Asimwe and established at Shs 5 billion for the region.
“Regarding the issue of Lakwena victims, I want to direct the Minister of the Presidency to work with the Attorney General to solve this problem,” Museveni said.
Education and a Call for Order
Museveni emphasized that development requires organized planning, particularly in the education sector. He said Luuka has 89 government primary schools, far more than its 64 parishes yet 26 parishes still lack a single government primary school.
“You already have 89 government primary schools more than the 64 parishes, and the policy is to have one primary school per parish,” he said. “This means you did not strictly follow the principle. Please in future be very strict on this one.”
He also noted that the district has seven government secondary schools across 12 sub-counties and confirmed that new seed schools were under construction to close the gap.
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Museveni urged residents to keep supporting the NRM to sustain progress. “For me it gives me a picture of where God has brought us from as a country,” she said. “It’s right and good to vote for NRM so that it can continue to build this country.”
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to free education, noting the improvements achieved and those still in progress.
Health, Water, and Infrastructure
Museveni highlighted gains in healthcare, saying eight of Luuka’s 12 sub-counties have HCIII facilities and announced upgrades for Busalamu, Bulaga, and Kalyowa health centres. He said 187 of the district’s 305 rural villages now access clean water.
He also assured residents that road improvement remains a priority. “Now the big project we have here is the roads from Iganga, Bulopa, through here to Kamuli,” he said.
Kisa thanked the President for fulfilling the pledge to tarmac the Iganga–Luuka–Bulopa–Kamuli road, a 56km stretch costing Shs 368 billion.
Wealth Creation and Jobs
Museveni described wealth creation as the third contribution of the NRM, noting that people who embraced commercial agriculture and programs such as the Parish Development Model were now earning steadily.
He promoted the four-acre model, saying it provides a clear formula for smallholder farmers. “Our calculation was that if you do this, you would be rich even if you have a small piece of land,” he said.
He added that large-scale farmers could pursue low-value but profitable crops such as maize, sugarcane, and tobacco.
Museveni linked wealth creation to job creation, saying factories now employ 1.3 million people, three times more than government.
Community Concerns and Local Requests
Kisa thanked the President for initiating the process to buy Mayuge Sugar Factory for Busoga farmers but asked that the planned Luuka sugar factory be redirected to value-addition projects. He also raised concerns about millers ignoring the presidential directive to stop charging the 5% waste management fee.
He reminded the President of his promise to construct a palace for the Tabingwa Chiefdom and noted that Luuka had donated land for a regional sports stadium to nurture Busoga’s football talent.
Calls for Discipline and Empowerment
NRM First National Vice Chairman Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo urged leaders to maintain discipline, engage communities respectfully, and avoid intimidation. Rebecca Kadaga emphasized women’s economic empowerment and the need for equitable access to programmes such as GROW.
Kisa assured Museveni that Luuka remains firmly behind the NRM. “Luuka District is benefiting well from UPE and USE,” he said.
Thousands of supporters, cultural leaders, and NRM officials attended the rally.
