KISORO — Calls for continuity, stability and household wealth creation dominated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s address in Kisoro District on Monday, as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer sought renewed support ahead of the 2026 general elections.
At Saaza Grounds, where thousands of enthusiastic supporters gathered hours before his arrival, President Museveni said Uganda must “protect the gains made over the last four decades” and remain focused on transforming into a high middle-income country. The rally marked his first major campaign stop in western Uganda since the official campaign period began.
“We are here to ask for your support and to give you the reasons why,” the President said, stressing that the NRM has guided Uganda through some of its most difficult periods. “Uganda had many problems—shortages of sugar, cement, salt, even clothes—but we solved many of them. Most of the work has been done by the NRM.”
He said the party’s 2026–2031 agenda would be anchored on the theme “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”, adding that national progress requires discipline, security and wealth creation at the household level.
President Museveni outlined what he described as the seven major contributions of the NRM, beginning with peace—an issue he said the people of Kisoro understand deeply because of the district’s historical exposure to regional conflicts. “You know the importance of peace,” he said, to loud applause.
The President also highlighted development gains, citing expanded electricity coverage, better communication systems, a wider education network and major road upgrades linking Kampala to Mbarara and onward to Kisoro. He pledged completion of key routes such as the Kabale–Kisoro–Mgahinga National Park road and the Kisoro–Muko–Rukiri–Katoojo road, saying such projects would spur tourism and cross-border trade.
Despite progress in the education sector, the President expressed concern over uneven distribution of government schools across Kisoro’s 71 parishes. “There are parishes with more than one government primary school, leaving 26 without. This is not good,” he said, calling for equitable placement of schools. At the secondary level, ten sub-counties still have no government secondary school.
Turning to welfare, President Museveni again drew a clear distinction between development and wealth. “We have tarmac roads up to Bunagana and Cyanika to Kabale, but people don’t sleep on the road. That is why NRM emphasises wealth creation,” he said.
He referenced several Ugandans who have built successful farming enterprises in challenging environments, including George Matongo of Ngoma, Nakaseke, who produces 900 litres of milk daily despite living far from major infrastructure. Another was Joseph Basangwa from Kamuli, who abandoned politics in 2007, embraced commercial poultry farming and now sells 110,000 eggs a day, earning Shs20 million daily.
“These people listened to our message. Wealth is possible if you follow the right enterprise mix,” the President said, revisiting the “four-acre model” introduced in the 1996 manifesto, which encourages integrated farming for families with limited land.
On jobs, the President emphasised that employment arises from four areas—commercial agriculture, industry, services and ICT—arguing that industrialisation is now one of Uganda’s strongest engines of job creation. He cited the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park, home to over 75 factories, as proof of NRM’s targeted push into manufacturing, and commended youth trained under the Presidential Skilling Hubs for turning vocational skills into small enterprises.
“With your support, we shall consolidate the achievements and continue transforming Uganda,” he said.
Top NRM leaders accompanying the President used the rally to urge Kisoro residents to vote overwhelmingly for the party. NRM Second National Vice Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among, said areas in northern and eastern Uganda had already pledged overwhelming support.
“The people in the north and east have promised 90% of the votes. From Kisoro to Masindi, we expect 100%,” she said, praising the improved road network in western Uganda and urging residents to vote in appreciation of peace and development.
Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa described the President’s decision to open his western Uganda campaigns in Kisoro as “a sign of love,” while NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda, Hon. Asiimwe Jonard, reaffirmed the region’s loyalty to the ruling party.
Alongside Cabinet ministers, MPs and senior party officials, several prominent Kisoro personalities—among them Gen. Kale Kayihura and King Ceasor Mulenga—attended the rally in a strong show of regional mobilisation as campaigns intensify ahead of 2026.
