President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Thursday launched his Ankole sub-regional campaigns with a renewed call for wealth creation, job growth, and household economic transformation.
Museveni, the NRM Presidential flagbearer in the 2026 Uganda elections, crossed from Kigezi into Ankole and addressed thousands of supporters at the Isingiro District Headquarters. He emphasized that Uganda’s next phase of progress requires families to adopt income-generating activities, not rely solely on government projects.
He said Uganda’s stability has enabled citizens to work and prosper. “Today we have gathered peacefully, well-dressed, dancing, and united,” Museveni said. “I thank God, and I thank the NRM for restoring peace in Uganda.”
Museveni listed improved roads such as the Mbarara–Kikagate–Isingiro road as evidence of government efforts to boost regional access. He reaffirmed plans to upgrade key routes including the Kikagate–Kitwe–Namahimba road and the Kabingo–Rwekubo–Rugaaga–Endizi–Magabi–Rakai–Mutukula road to open markets for farmers and support trade.
The President said Uganda must now focus on household-level productivity. He explained the four pillars of wealth creation—commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT and reminded residents of the Four-Acre Model introduced in the 1996 NRM Manifesto.
Museveni told supporters that factories, not government offices, create most jobs. He noted that new factories across the country have created 1.3 million jobs, compared to 480,000 positions in government. “Jobs are created through wealth-creation sectors, not government appointments,” he said.
He also defended the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, warning officials against asking beneficiaries for land titles. “This is totally wrong,” he said. “As long as you have a viable project, you should be able to get support.”
Museveni urged banana farmers to adopt irrigation to increase output and strengthen market competitiveness. He later handed over NRM flags to aspiring MPs, district leaders, and councillors.
State Minister for Agriculture Hon. Lt. Col. Bright Rwamirama assured the President of overwhelming support. NRM District Chairperson Lt. Moses Mushabe said the district delivered 94% of the vote in 2021 and aims for even higher results in the next election.
Mushabe also reported district gains under government programmes, including UGX 47.1 billion received under PDM and UGX 3.35 billion under Emyooga. He outlined improvements in education, health infrastructure, electricity access, and the ongoing Kabuyanda Multipurpose Dam project expected to support 32,000 farmers.
The rally attracted NRM CEC members, MPs, cultural and religious leaders, and thousands of supporters as Museveni formally opened the Ankole chapter of his 2026 campaign.