President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has defended the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) record on peace and stability, telling supporters in Rukungiri District that the party remains the only political organisation with a proven history of restoring security and guiding Uganda’s development.
Addressing a campaign rally on Wednesday, the President said residents of Kigezi understand the cost of instability because communities in areas such as Kanungu–Kihihi once lived under fear caused by insecurity from the DR Congo border.
“We are a tested force. We have walked Uganda through every challenge and delivered stability,” President Museveni said, adding that peace is the foundation for all progress.
He outlined the government’s development priorities, noting that expenditure begins with security before extending to roads, electricity, schools and health facilities. The President highlighted completed projects such as the Ntungamo–Rukungiri–Kihihi–Ishasha–Kanungu Road and announced new works including the Muhanga–Kisiizi–Rwamucucu–Kebisoni Road and the Kabwohe–Kitagata–Kabira–Rukungiri Road.
“NRM prioritises what matters. We don’t lie, and we don’t promise miracles. We are not Jesus,” he said.
President Museveni cited extensive progress in rural electrification, saying previously unconnected districts including Bushenyi, Rwashamaire, Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro have power as of 2025. He said government plans to ensure every sub-county is connected.
He praised the resilience of the Bakiga and pledged further investment in irrigation systems to support all-year farming. He urged residents to embrace wealth creation initiatives, stressing that prosperity begins at household level.
“Poverty is personal, and so is wealth. These opportunities are not for the rich; they are for ordinary people,” he said.
The President also noted that government jobs are limited to 480,000 positions for a population of 50 million, while industrial parks employ about 1.3 million Ugandans. He encouraged families to focus on enterprise growth using programmes such as NAADS, OWC, Emyooga and the Parish Development Model.
During the rally, President Museveni handed NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, district leaders and councillors. He also welcomed new converts from the opposition, including long-standing FDC supporters.
One of the testimonies at the rally came from Ms. Immaculate Aturinda, a beneficiary of the Kigezi Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub. She said the training enabled her to start a tailoring business in Kebisoni where she now employs two young people and earns about Shs300,000 per month.
Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi told the gathering that Rukungiri has consistently supported the NRM because the district has “witnessed tangible results.”
“We came here to ask you for your votes. Rukungiri has always stood firm with the NRM,” he said.
The Minister of Security and NRM District Chairman for Rukungiri, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, said the district has seen visible transformation in roads, schools, water systems, health services and household incomes.
“Rukungiri has gained a lot, and these gains must be protected,” he said as he presented detailed statistics on the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, education, health and water access.
He reported that 28,562 households (about 32.7%) have already benefited from PDM financing in the district and municipality. He noted that Rukungiri now has extensive water coverage, major irrigation schemes, ongoing construction of seed secondary schools and full electricity connectivity.
The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, Members of Parliament, religious leaders and thousands of supporters.
