President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to reject voter bribery and elect leaders based on integrity and national interest, warning that accepting money from politicians undermines democracy.
“Why should you be influenced and throw away your power to elect your desired candidate? Therefore, when you see someone bringing money that you elect, avoid them. You have the power; don’t throw it away,” Museveni said while addressing a rally in Kituntu Sub-county, Mpigi District.
The President’s comments came as he concluded his zonal tour of Greater Mpigi under the Parish Development Model (PDM), a flagship poverty alleviation program targeting grassroots transformation.
Museveni also vowed to eliminate vote rigging in the 2026 general elections, claiming that 2.7 million votes were rigged by the opposition in the 2021 polls due to negligence by some NRM supporters. He announced that biometric voting machines will be used to ensure one-person-one-vote.
“We have now introduced biometric machines to ensure everybody votes once. We shall not allow vote rigging anymore,” he said.
During the same event, Museveni welcomed 184 defectors from opposition parties to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), applauding their decision to support what he termed “real transformation politics.”
PDM Impact and Wealth Creation
The President used the rally to highlight success stories of the PDM in the Greater Mpigi region, citing beneficiaries such as Rashida Namubiru from Butambala, Deborah Namutebi from Gomba, and prominent farmer Hajji Muhammad Zziwa from Mpigi.
“This shows that it is possible that you can use this PDM program very well and get out of poverty in your household,” Museveni said, emphasizing the potential of PDM SACCOs to become community-owned financial institutions.
To date, Shs 33.429 billion has been disbursed to 130 PDM SACCOs across the region, with Mpigi receiving the largest share (Shs 14.4 billion), followed by Gomba (Shs 12.6 billion) and Butambala (Shs 6.428 billion).
Museveni reiterated that poverty eradication is a personal responsibility, even as government continues to provide roads, schools, and health centers. “When you return home, you’ll still be welcomed with the poverty you left there. That’s why NRM is not in politics for a show but to help you get out of poverty,” he said.
Infrastructure and Social Services
On health, Museveni announced plans to construct a district hospital in Mpigi and urged parents to embrace immunization and cervical cancer vaccination. “I’m now 80 years old, but who has ever heard that Museveni is sick and has been admitted to the hospital?” he said, attributing his health to preventive care.
He also advised Ugandans to adopt HIV prevention strategies, including abstinence and fidelity, as the country continues to battle new infections.
Political Mobilization for 2026
NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, called on residents to rally behind Museveni in the 2026 elections and support all NRM candidates, citing the party’s poor performance in Buganda during the last polls.
“In 2021, out of 105 parliamentary seats in Buganda, NRM won only 31. We must overturn that embarrassment,” Kiwanda told supporters.
The PDM tours are part of a national campaign to transition 3.5 million households from subsistence to market-oriented production by 2026. Previous stops have included Greater Masaka, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja, and Ankole.
Attendees
Key government officials who attended the event included Government Chief Whip Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, Lands Minister Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Microfinance Minister Hon. Haruna Kasolo, and Investment Minister Hon. Evelyn Anite. NRM Deputy Secretary General Hon. Rose Namayanja and NRM Women League Chairperson Hon. Lydia Wanyoto were also present.
