Kakumiro District has pledged 100 per cent support for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni concluded his campaign rallies Bunyoro sub-region, highlighting peace, infrastructure development and wealth creation as the ruling party’s core achievements over the past four decades.
The pledge was announced during a campaign rally where Kakumiro District NRM Chairperson Fred Byamukama credited President Museveni for restoring stability after years of insecurity, including the 1986 conflict and the 2000 Allied Democratic Forces insurgency.
“We thank you because today there is peace,” Byamukama said, adding that security had created a foundation for development across the district and the wider Bunyoro region.
Byamukama said the government had tarmacked 655 kilometres of roads in Bunyoro, dismissing claims that infrastructure development was driven solely by oil discoveries. He also thanked the President for the construction of Kabale International Airport and for commissioning the Kakumiro District administration block during the visit.
He further cited progress in agriculture and energy, noting that Kakumiro now has 80 irrigation schemes and electricity coverage of 66 per cent, with expectations of further expansion to boost productivity.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said the district’s pledge reflected appreciation for being granted district status and sustained government investment in infrastructure. She cited the 107-kilometre Mubende–Kakumiro–Kagadi road and said the Kakumiro–Nkooko–Kisiita road had been included in the next development plan.
Nabbanja also thanked President Museveni for releasing Shs3.6 billion for the construction of the district administration block, which he officially commissioned during the visit.
She announced a political boost for the ruling party, revealing that Stecia Mayanja, president of the National Peasants’ Party, had defected to the National Resistance Movement.
Addressing residents, President Museveni said his Bunyoro visit was aimed at presenting the NRM’s record over the last 40 years, beginning with peace.
“Uganda was once unstable, but the NRM has stabilized the country,” Museveni said, adding that peace enabled development to take root.
He said development was the second pillar of the party’s contribution, pointing to investments in roads, electricity, water, telecommunications and internet connectivity. Museveni said clean water coverage in Kakumiro now stands at 92 per cent, while electricity has reached most sub-counties.
The President announced plans for additional road construction, including the Kazo–Burunga–Mpara–Hapuuyo road to Karuguuza and the Kisiita–Nkooko–Masode–Ntwetwe road extending to Kiboga, recalling that he used some of the routes during the liberation struggle.
On social services, Museveni said Kakumiro had registered growth in education and health, citing over 300 private schools and plans to upgrade a Health Centre IV into a district hospital. He said only five sub-counties are yet to receive Health Centre IIIs.
Museveni identified wealth creation as the third pillar of the NRM agenda, linking it to initiatives such as Bonna Bagaggawale, Entandikwa, Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model.
“Wealth does not come by chance. It comes from working for the pocket, not only the stomach,” he said, urging residents to embrace commercial agriculture, including the four-acre model and fish farming.
He said job creation, the fourth pillar, would be driven by industrialisation and private enterprise, noting that government alone cannot absorb Uganda’s growing population.
President Museveni’s Bunyoro tour ended with renewed commitments to infrastructure expansion, industrial growth and household wealth creation, as local leaders expressed confidence that Kakumiro would remain a stronghold for the ruling party.