On a warm afternoon in Kamuli district at Bupadhengo Primary school, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni paused mid-speech and pointed toward the crowd, recalling how Uganda once lived under fear rather than possibility. He reminded the thousands gathered that there was a time when “leaders were killed, exiled or forced to run,” and told them that the stability they now take for granted did not appear by accident. He said this was a result of deliberate choices, choices he believes Uganda must make again in 2026.
Museveni had returned to Busoga to make a simple request: judge the National Resistance Movement (NRM) by its record, not by political noise. He told the rally that the NRM’s “seven solid contributions” offer proof of what the party has accomplished and why it deserves another mandate.
“Support NRM because of what it has done on the ground,” he said. “When someone asks why you’re supporting NRM, tell them the Movement has already made clear contributions to Uganda’s house.”
Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President outlined peace, development, wealth creation, and job opportunities as the pillars of the NRM’s legacy since 1986. He dismissed critics who question the party’s impact, arguing that the opposition “lacks evidence of meaningful contribution” to Uganda’s development journey.
Museveni also welcomed renewed interest in industrialisation, telling residents that Kamuli’s demand for an industrial park mirrors national trends. He pointed to the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park, with more than 75 factories as a demonstration of how industry can transform local economies. He added that the upcoming park in Namasagali will expand opportunities for young people and farmers.
To illustrate the power of enterprise, he celebrated Kamuli poultry farmer Basangwa Johnson, who employs 300 people through intensive farming. He said Basangwa embodies the NRM’s message that small landholders can thrive with the right enterprise mix.
Museveni emphasised that peace remains the NRM’s greatest achievement. He described it as the foundation for every factory, road, business, and livelihood. With peace secure, he said the next step is expanding infrastructure. He announced new roads linking Jinja–Budondo–Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu, Iganga–Buloopa–Kamuli, and Kamuli–Kaliro–Namwiwa–Pallisa. He argued that these connections will strengthen agriculture, trade, tourism, and industry across Busoga.
On wealth creation, he reminded residents that national development projects differ from household income. He advised small farmers to adopt the four-acre model introduced in the 1996 manifesto, stressing the importance of choosing high-value enterprises rather than imitating large-scale growers.
Maama Janet thanked Busoga residents for their strong turnout and urged them to mobilize widely for the NRM. She assured them that continued NRM leadership would deepen institutional reforms and improve education delivery.
Senior party leaders, including NRM First National Vice Chairman Al-hajji Moses Kigongo, First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, and Kamuli District NRM Chairperson Matthew Bazanya, rallied supporters to deliver a decisive victory for the party.
A New Industrial Chapter for Busoga
Earlier in the day, President Museveni and the First Lady commissioned a US$50 million cassava starch factory in Namasagali, built by Dr. Matthias Magoola of Dei BioPharma Ltd. The plant, the first phase of a larger industrial park will produce pharmaceutical-grade starch, glucose, maltose, and fructose.
The facility is expected to create more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs and provide a stable market for cassava farmers. Museveni praised the investment as a major step toward Uganda’s pharmaceutical independence. However, he cautioned small farmers against planting cassava for industrial purposes without assessing profitability per acre, warning them not to repeat mistakes made with sugarcane.
Museveni will conclude his Busoga campaign with rallies in Jinja and Iganga before taking a weekend break ahead of his next campaign leg in Kigezi.
