President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed his commitment to free education, wealth creation and the fight against corruption as he met thousands of National Unity Platform (NUP) converts, Muslim leaders, students and youth groups at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on January 11, 2026.
Addressing a crowd of more than 10,000 former NUP supporters, President Museveni welcomed them to the National Resistance Movement (NRM), describing the party as a movement founded to empower ordinary Ugandans to choose their leaders from the village level to the presidency.
He said this philosophy informed the introduction of free primary and secondary education in 1997, noting that many families were previously locked out of education due to high school fees.
However, the President expressed concern that free education has been undermined by some leaders and school administrators through illegal charges, calling on voters to elect leaders who can enforce government policies effectively.
“Free education must be fully implemented so that every child benefits,” Museveni said, urging parents and students to reject illegal fees in government schools.
He also questioned the poor state of some murram roads despite annual government funding, saying weak supervision and lack of accountability were denying communities essential services.
On wealth creation, President Museveni reiterated that programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and related initiatives were designed to lift households out of poverty. He urged all Ugandans to join parish SACCOs and ensure parish committees serve every eligible member.
The President warned against the theft and sabotage of PDM funds, encouraging citizens to report those involved in misusing public resources.
Turning to health services, Museveni said government regularly supplies medicines to public hospitals, but shortages persist due to poor supervision and theft. He stressed that leaders responsible for managing health facilities must be held accountable to ensure drugs reach patients.
On employment, the President said sustainable jobs are mainly created through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT. He cited the example of Johnson Basangwa of Kamuli District, who started poultry farming on a small plot and now employs more than 300 people.
“This shows that wealth creation is possible even with limited land,” Museveni said.
Muslim leaders pledged their support for President Museveni in the forthcoming elections. Sheikh Sulaiman Ssemakula from Greater Mpigi thanked the President for promoting unity and supporting Muslims, saying the NRM respects all faiths without discrimination.
Museveni assured Muslim leaders that his responsibility is to ensure all Ugandans, regardless of religion, access free education, healthcare and opportunities for wealth creation.
The President also commended more than 8,000 students drawn from institutions across the country under the Sauti ya Vijana initiative, saying the group complements existing party structures.
He urged young people to reject corruption, warning that the vice undermines service delivery and slows development.
Presidential Advisor Hope Mazirwe thanked President Museveni for supporting students and sustaining free education, pledging continued student backing for the NRM government.
Jacob Eyeru, head of Sauti ya Vijana, said the initiative targets over 3.1 million students who were in school during earlier campaigns but are now eligible voters. He said the group is sensitising students about NRM wealth creation programmes and engaging them through digital platforms during holidays.
In a separate meeting, President Museveni met the Unstoppable Group led by Nelson Tugume, who said the group has been mobilising support for the NRM across the country.
Museveni said Uganda has made significant progress over the last four decades, with about 70 percent of homesteads now participating in the money economy. He added that government’s priority is to bring all households into the money economy through existing programmes.
He emphasised that free education in government schools and the fight against corruption remain non-negotiable pillars of his leadership.
The various groups pledged continued support for President Museveni and the NRM ahead of the upcoming elections.
