President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged residents of Kassanda District to back National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates in the next elections, saying sustained development and better service delivery depend on electing leaders who can effectively work with government programmes.
Addressing a campaign rally at Bukuya Town Council grounds despite heavy rain, Museveni said the NRM’s four decades in power have been anchored on peace, which he described as the foundation of all progress.
“The first contribution of NRM is peace. We do not believe in sectarian politics. We respect every Ugandan so that all can contribute to national development,” Museveni said.
He noted that Uganda’s stability contrasts sharply with ongoing conflicts in parts of the region, attributing the country’s calm to the NRM’s rejection of politics based on religion, tribe, gender or age. He said this inclusive approach has allowed special interest groups, including youth, women, persons with disabilities and workers, to be represented in Parliament.
Museveni said development is the second major pillar of the NRM, citing sustained investment in roads, electricity, water, schools and health facilities. He pointed to key road projects serving the wider area and announced plans to upgrade the Myanzi–Kassanda–Kiboga road.
However, the President acknowledged that Kassanda continues to lag behind in some sectors, particularly water access, which currently stands at about 34 per cent coverage. He blamed part of the slow progress on poor leadership choices.
“Do not joke with voting. When you vote badly, you suffer,” Museveni warned, adding that government is ready to allocate more resources to the district if leaders properly account for funds and demonstrate clear priorities.
He directed the State Minister for Luweero Triangle, Alice Kaboyo, to ensure that essential services such as safe water reach all residents, regardless of their political affiliation.
On wealth creation, Museveni stressed that infrastructure alone does not automatically translate into improved household incomes. He encouraged residents to embrace commercial agriculture using the four-acre model as a pathway out of poverty.
He also cautioned against the misuse of funds under government programmes such as the Parish Development Model, warning that auditors would be deployed to investigate reports of illegal deductions.
“Do not allow your money to be stolen,” he said.
The President said job creation remains another core NRM focus, driven mainly by commercial farming, industrialisation, services and information and communication technology. He urged young people, especially in urban areas, to take advantage of skilling centres to acquire practical skills and start enterprises.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region, Haruna Kasolo, described Kassanda as a fast-growing district and appealed for expanded electricity distribution to support its development.
Kassanda NRM District Chairperson Michael Bukenya assured the President of strong support in the forthcoming elections. He praised government interventions such as Emyooga, electricity extension, new Health Centre IIIs and the reopening of mines, while noting that land wrangles remain a major challenge.
Museveni concluded by calling on voters to reject what he described as non-performing opposition leaders and to choose leadership that can translate government programmes into tangible development outcomes for Kassanda.
