MUBENDE DISTRICT, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held his first campaign rally in the Buganda region Friday, addressing a crowd at Kasambya Town Council in Mubende District and assuring residents of peaceful, credible elections.
Presenting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto for 2026-2031, Museveni stated that peace remains the party’s foremost achievement. He said Uganda was once ungovernable due to sectarian politics based on religion and tribe, which his government rejected. “No one will be allowed to destabilize the peace currently enjoyed in the country,” he said.
Addressing electoral reforms, Museveni dismissed claims that Buganda supported the opposition in past elections, calling the allegations false and a product of cheating. He said the government has strengthened the voting process with biometric verification, including fingerprint confirmation, to eliminate rigging.
On development, the President explained that the NRM’s second contribution focuses on both economic and social infrastructure. He noted that the government prioritizes major investments such as roads, electricity and other productive infrastructure, cautioning that excessive focus on issues like salary increments can slow overall development.
President Museveni said Mubende has already registered significant progress and pledged that projects not yet completed will be implemented.
On social infrastructure, he reiterated the government’s plan to have a government primary school in every parish and a government secondary school in every sub-county. He also promised to establish a public university in the area, explaining that the government intends to provide public universities to the old districts created during the colonial period.
The President said wealth creation is the third key contribution of the NRM, stressing that while development is important, it does not automatically make individuals wealthy.
He outlined the four-acre model for small landholders, which includes coffee, fruits, pasture for animals, food crops for the family, poultry and fish farming, while those with larger landholdings can engage in ranching, tea and cotton growing.
On job creation, President Museveni said employment opportunities are generated mainly from four sectors: commercial agriculture, industry, services and ICT. He also assured residents that no one would be chased off their land, expressing satisfaction with the efforts of NRM leaders in addressing land-related challenges.
The NRM First National Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Moses Kigongo, called on the people of Mubende to maintain peace and harmony during the election period.
The Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) of NRM and Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Anita Annet Among, urged the President to support the issuance of land titles to occupants of land owned by absentee landlords, with the government compensating the landlords.
She cautioned residents against what she described as selfish leaders who claim to seek change while their families live comfortably abroad, contrasting them with President Museveni’s children, whom she said are serving and protecting the country.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Central Region, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, appealed to the people of Mubende to give President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers full support in the upcoming elections.
The Mubende District NRM Chairperson, Mr. Ainebyona Thomas, pledged 100 percent support for President Museveni and other party’s candidates.
He thanked the President for the Parish Development Model funds, which he said are transforming households.
He also requested the establishment of a public university in Mubende to reduce the need for residents to travel to Kampala or Mbarara for higher education. While appreciating the land fund, he noted that cases of land evictions persist and called for further intervention.
Mr. Ainebyona further requested the creation of new administrative units, including granting district status to Kasambya, to bring services closer to the people.
