By Jumah Kakomo and Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has arrived at Buwanda Primary School playgrounds in Busia District for his final campaign rally in the Bukedi sub-region, marking the end of his campaign trail in the area.
Addressing thousands of supporters, General Museveni urged the electorate to vote for leaders who can advance regional integration, describing it as key to securing wider markets and strengthening strategic security for Uganda and the region.
Museveni noted that the NRM government has revived and strengthened the national economy, resulting in surplus production across various commodities—surpluses he said can only be fully absorbed through broader regional markets.
Given Busia’s strategic position on the Uganda–Kenya border, the NRM presidential candidate encouraged residents to promote and embrace regional unity in their daily interactions with their Kenyan counterparts.
During the rally, Museveni highlighted the progress made under the 1995 wealth creation agenda, saying it is now evident through initiatives such as the Four-Acre Model and other nationwide socioeconomic empowerment programs. He emphasized that the government’s wealth creation drive aims to build a poverty-free country, urging Busia residents to take advantage of the available empowerment initiatives.
Museveni further outlined profitable ventures that households in Busia can adopt under the Four-Acre Model to improve their incomes.
The NRM candidate also promised to fast-track the completion of additional tarmac roads in Busia District, adding to existing roads such as the Busia–Tororo road via Buteba. He said these new roads will complement the Jinja–Busia road, the Musita–Namayingo–Busia road, and the railway line currently under maintenance.
On electricity access, Museveni highlighted that power connectivity has now reached all 20 sub-county headquarters in Busia District.
He also reaffirmed government plans to scale up the Parish Development Model (PDM) to reach more community groups, citing several successful PDM beneficiaries as examples for aspiring wealth creators.
Museveni encouraged residents to seize job opportunities in commercial agriculture and manufacturing, sectors he said will play a major role in transforming household incomes.
The NRM presidential candidate further revealed plans to upgrade health facilities in Busia to meet the needs of its growing population. He pledged to maintain momentum in expanding education infrastructure, noting that the district currently has 117 government primary schools with 86,000 pupils and 13 government secondary schools enrolling 11,164 students.
Museveni called on residents to support the government’s efforts to sustain free universal education, stressing that education remains a cornerstone of national development. He reiterated the importance of unity and peace as drivers of progress in Busia and the entire country.
Comments were also delivered by NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and the NRM Vice Chairperson for the Eastern Region, who echoed Museveni’s message of continued development under the party’s leadership.
