BUHWEJU — President Yoweri Museveni has assured residents of Buhweju District that construction of the Bwizibwera–Nsiika–Nyakashaka–Nyakabirizi road will soon begin, saying the contractor is already secured and compensation arrangements are in the final stages.
Addressing supporters during a campaign rally on Saturday, the President said government had contracted a Chinese company to undertake the long-delayed project and earmarked Shs30 billion to compensate affected households.
“The Bwizibwera–Nsiika–Nyakashaka–Nyakabirizi road will be constructed. A Chinese company has already signed a contract to build this road. They were waiting for Shs30 billion for compensations,” Museveni said.
The President told residents that peace remains the foundation of the NRM’s achievements, recalling the insecurity that characterized the region decades ago. He said the ability of people in Buhweju to move freely today, even late in the evening, is proof of the stability brought by his government.
He reaffirmed the four pillars of the NRM—peace, development, wealth creation and jobs—highlighting improvements in electricity coverage across sub-counties, 75 percent access to clean water, and increased presence of schools and health facilities as evidence of progress.
On wealth creation, Museveni urged proper land-use planning. He advised households with limited land to adopt the four-acre model, while those with larger acreage should invest in tea, coffee, cotton or cattle farming. He praised the district’s uptake of tea growing but cautioned that the crop is only viable for farmers with at least five acres. He added that Buhweju also had potential for apple cultivation.
Museveni said government had set aside Shs360 billion to support large-scale farmers with seeds and fertilizers and to revive struggling tea factories. He also promised to engage Chinese authorities over taxes imposed on Uganda’s tea exports.
Responding to concerns on jobs, the President said the bulk of national employment lies in the private sector, not government offices, and argued that meaningful job creation stems from a stable economic environment and increased production.
He criticized some Members of Parliament for not prioritizing core infrastructure projects, asserting that national development should focus on roads, electricity and water in that order.
“Your MPs are giving me a hard time,” he said. “Before tackling many things at once, we must first handle roads.”
Museveni pledged to return to Buhweju to discuss income-generating initiatives with residents should he be re-elected.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who also serves as NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), asked the President to fast-track the Bwizibwera–Buhweju road, describing it as a matter requiring urgent intervention.
