President Yoweri Museveni has urged residents of Rwampara District to stop encroaching on wetlands, saying the swamps are vital for future irrigation systems that will support farming in the area.
He made the appeal during a rally at Bujaga Playground, where he was accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni.
Janet Museveni thanked residents for their warm reception, saying, “Thank you for coming in large numbers to welcome Mzee.” She said Uganda’s stability continues to attract people fleeing regional conflict, noting, “Uganda is known for being a peaceful country… refugees have chosen Uganda as their next home because it is peaceful.”
She cautioned supporters against assuming victory based on crowd size. She said, “When people see our rallies attended massively, they assume NRM has already won,” urging them to mobilize voters ahead of election day.
In his speech, President Museveni emphasized that peace remains the NRM’s foundation. He recalled passing through the area during the 1985 conflict and said, “Now there are no more wars and the country is peaceful.”
He pointed to ongoing development in Rwampara. He said the district now has electricity in all sub-counties and pledged that roads such as Buterano–Bugamba–Rukoni and Ruti–Mwizi–Kikagate will be considered for upgrade. He said, “Rwampara has a good road network. What you did not have was electricity, but we brought it.”
With water coverage at about 71 percent, the President stressed the need to expand irrigation. He urged residents to protect wetlands, saying, “Stop destroying swamps so that we can construct irrigation systems to take water to the hills so that yields can improve.”
Museveni also highlighted improvements in social services. He said the district has two Health Centre IVs and six Health Centre IIIs, adding that one HCIV will be elevated to a district hospital. He welcomed the presence of seven government-aided secondary schools.
On wealth creation, the President encouraged proper use of Parish Development Model funds and advised leaders not to exclude landless youth. He said, “The youth are told that if they don’t have land, they cannot access money. This is wrong. I don’t want to hear that again.”
He said job creation remains a major priority and noted that factories and entrepreneurship continue to drive employment.
Museveni also advised independent candidates to use party tribunals to resolve grievances and said those with evidence of malpractice should present it directly to him. He asked incumbent District Woman MP Molly Asiimwe to step down for NRM flagbearer Annah Kansiime, saying, “Since you are a Mulokole, help us and step down. God will intervene for you.”
