President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement’s presidential flag-bearer, credited Uganda’s sustained peace over the past four decades as the main enabler of the country’s social and economic growth.
The president made the remarks Tuesday during a campaign rally at Kibiito Secondary School in Bunyangabu District, where he was accompanied by his daughter, Natasha Karugire Museveni.
“Peace; I am glad to see that what Uganda has enjoyed for the past 40 years is remarkable,” Museveni said. “Today, a child is born, grows up, studies, finishes school, marries, and has children—all in peace.”
He highlighted how this stability provided the foundation for infrastructure achievements across roads, electricity, telecommunications, water, and internet access. The president addressed delays on projects like the Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal Road, attributing them to previously scattered resources, but promised the work would now proceed.
Reflecting on education, Museveni noted the progress from only six A-level schools in 1961 to eight government secondary schools in Bunyangabu District alone today.
The president emphasized the shift from subsistence to commercial farming as a driver of wealth creation, praising local farmer George Matongo for his transition to modern agriculture.
Museveni underscored the importance of regional integration, pointing out the vast surplus in agricultural production. “As we speak today, Uganda produces more than 5 million tons of maize per year, yet consumes only 1 million tons,” he said, adding that without the East African market, industries like maize, milk, and cement would struggle.
The campaign event also showcased success stories from the Presidential Skilling Hub initiative. Immaculate Kayesu, a former student of the Kyenjojo hub, shared how she used skills training and Parish Development Model funds to open a bakery shop in Kibiito Town Council, where she now employs one person. Museveni hailed such initiatives as proof that skills development and sustained peace are transforming lives.
The president later formally endorsed NRM candidates in the district, handing over party flags to aspiring members of Parliament, the LC V chairperson, and various councilors.
Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among, the NRM’s second national vice chairperson, thanked Museveni for maintaining peace in Bunyangabu, a district bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Your Excellency, thank you for maintaining peace. We should uphold this by supporting you in the upcoming elections,” Among said. She also acknowledged the government’s efforts in health, noting the planned upgrade of Kibiito Health Centre IV to a district hospital, and praised the guaranteed freedom of worship.
District Development Figures
Bunyangabu District NRM Chairperson Hussain Kato provided key statistics on local development:
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Parish Development Model: Shs 15.08 billion has been disbursed to 49 of 55 parishes, benefiting 17,639 households (about 32% of the district’s 48,988 households).
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Emyooga: Eighteen Emyooga Savings and Credit Co-operative Organizations have received Shs 900 million in government support, serving 18,452 members.
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Education: The district has 61 government primary schools (31,810 pupils) and eight government secondary schools (5,925 students). Four Seed Secondary Schools are currently under construction.
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Health: Twelve of the district’s 15 sub-counties have a Health Centre III or higher facility. Interventions are planned to upgrade lower-level facilities in the remaining areas.
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Water and Electricity: Sixty-one percent of the district’s 338 villages have access to safe water. The district is now fully connected to the national electricity grid, a milestone that supports local businesses and households. Small-scale irrigation schemes are also being implemented.
The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of supporters.
