President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni kicked off the National Resistance Movement (NRM) campaign in Kayunga District on Friday with a direct message to land grabbers: evictions of lawful tenants are illegal, and the Constitution firmly protects sitting occupants.
Speaking at a well-attended rally at Busaana Town Council Playground, Museveni cautioned against misleading communities and attempting unlawful evictions.
“You have no right to evict sitting tenants from land,” he declared, stressing that land tenure issues were comprehensively resolved during the 1995 Constituent Assembly debates.
The President described transactions involving the sale of occupied land without resolving tenancy rights as fraudulent, likening them to “selling hot air.” He warned prospective buyers against purchasing such disputed property and revealed that the government has already compensated some landlords, with more payments planned to secure tenure for bona fide occupants.
“Ignorance of the law is fueling many conflicts,” Museveni said, tasking NRM leaders with educating communities and mediating disputes peacefully.
Linking land security to economic progress, the President urged residents to fully embrace the Parish Development Model (PDM), through which each parish receives Shs100 million annually — totaling Shs500 million over five years — to boost agriculture and household incomes.
“Government programmes must be supervised by the people themselves,” he emphasised.
“PDM funds and medicines in health centres belong to the wananchi — protect them.”
Museveni expressed outrage over the theft of drugs from public health facilities, warning that such pilferage undermines service delivery and robs communities of essential care.
On infrastructure and jobs, he encouraged Kayunga leaders and residents to identify suitable land for an industrial park, saying it would create employment and drive local growth.
He reiterated the four pillars of job creation: commercial agriculture, irrigation, skills training, and industrialisation.
Addressing concerns raised by the Bakuku community, Museveni affirmed that Ugandan citizenship — by birth, registration, or naturalisation — is a constitutional right, and no eligible citizen should be denied services like passports due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Reaffirming broader constitutional protections, the President reminded the crowd that all land tenure systems are safeguarded and that ultimate power lies with the people through the ballot box. He called on voters to choose leaders committed to accountability and implementation.
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, thanked residents for the massive turnout and urged full family participation in the elections.
“Don’t forget your grandmother at home — she has a vote too,” she said.
“Each one of us has a vote. Together, we are building a great homeland.”
NRM First National Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Moses Kigongo, called for unity and discipline ahead of polling day.
“Only tick the bus symbol,” he told supporters, stressing peaceful coexistence after voting.
Kigongo issued a stern warning to party leaders against misusing security forces. “Do not use our soldiers to fight your wars,” he said.
“Even the soldiers involved will be prosecuted along with those who misuse them.
The rally unfolded against a backdrop of persistent local concerns over land disputes, rising living costs, poor road infrastructure, and shrinking livelihoods. Many attendees, including boda boda riders and smallholder farmers, listened intently as the President addressed issues that directly affect their daily lives.
As campaigns intensify nationwide, Museveni’s assurances on land rights and economic programmes will face the familiar test of delivery — measured not just in rally applause, but in tangible protection of tenure, effective use of public resources, and expanded opportunities for ordinary Ugandans.
