Kakumiro District has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) following the conclusion of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s tour of the Bunyoro sub-region, during which he outlined peace, infrastructure development and wealth creation as the cornerstone achievements of his leadership over the past four decades.
Addressing a rally, Kakumiro District NRM Chairperson Fred Byamukama credited President Museveni with restoring stability after years of insecurity, including the 1986 conflict and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) insurgency in the early 2000s. He noted that the prevailing peace had provided a foundation for sustained development across the region.
Byamukama highlighted major infrastructure gains, including the construction of 655 kilometres of tarmacked roads in Bunyoro, rejecting claims that the improvements were driven solely by oil-related investments. He also commended the President for the establishment of Kabale International Airport and for commissioning the Kakumiro District administration block during the visit.
He further pointed to progress in agriculture and energy, revealing that the district currently hosts 80 irrigation schemes, with more planned to enhance agricultural productivity. Electricity access in Kakumiro now stands at 66 per cent.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said the district’s endorsement of the NRM was a show of appreciation for its elevation to district status and continued government investment in infrastructure. She cited the construction of the 107-kilometre Mubende–Kakumiro–Kagadi road and confirmed that the Kakumiro–Nkooko–Kisiita road has been earmarked for inclusion in the next development phase.
Nabbanja also thanked the President for releasing Shs3.6 billion for the construction of the district headquarters, which he officially commissioned during the tour. She announced that Stecia Mayanja, leader of the National Peasants’ Party, had formally joined the NRM, strengthening the ruling party’s political standing in the region.
She noted growing public uptake of the Parish Development Model (PDM), while warning against corruption, citing reports of leaders demanding kickbacks from beneficiaries. Nabbanja called for increased funding to the land fund and urged government to protect local manufacturers from unfair competition arising from cheap imports.
The Prime Minister further praised government forest conservation policies that emphasize value addition, disclosing that 45 factories have been established under the framework, creating hundreds of jobs.
President Museveni said his Bunyoro visit was aimed at presenting the NRM’s record over the last 40 years, beginning with the restoration of peace. He observed that stability had been a prerequisite for development, noting that Uganda had transitioned from prolonged instability to national security.
He cited investments in roads, electricity, water, telecommunications and internet connectivity as key pillars of development, revealing that clean water coverage in Kakumiro now stands at 92 per cent, alongside expanded electricity access across several sub-counties.
The President announced plans for additional road projects, including the Kazo–Burunga–Mpara–Hapuuyo road to Karuguuza and the Kisiita–Nkooko–Masode–Ntwetwe road extending to Kiboga, recalling that some of these routes were used during the liberation struggle.
On social services, Museveni pointed to improvements in education and healthcare, noting the presence of more than 300 private schools and plans to upgrade a Health Centre IV into a district hospital. He added that only five sub-counties are yet to receive Health Centre III facilities.
Museveni identified wealth creation as the third pillar of the NRM agenda, tracing its evolution from earlier initiatives such as Bonna Bagaggawale and Entandikwa to Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model. He reiterated his call for commercial agriculture, including adoption of the four-acre model and fish farming, citing personal success in aquaculture.
The fourth pillar, he said, is job creation through industrialisation and private sector growth, noting that government alone cannot absorb Uganda’s expanding labour force.
On foreign relations, Museveni said Uganda had maintained an independent stance against external pressure, stressing that Africa’s challenge lies not in aid dependency but in fully harnessing its own resources and potential.
The Bunyoro tour concluded with renewed commitments to infrastructure expansion, industrial development and wealth creation, as NRM leaders expressed confidence that the region would remain a strong base of support for the ruling party.
