By Jumah Kakomo and Kabuye Ronald
During a media interaction with journalists from the Kigezi Sub-region at Ntungamo State Lodge, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni guided the people of Kigezi to carefully prioritise development and wealth creation as a pathway to sustainable socioeconomic transformation.
President Museveni highlighted the significant strides made by the NRM government in strengthening economic and social infrastructure across the country. He urged the people of Kigezi to embrace commercially viable enterprises, taking advantage of government socioeconomic empowerment funds such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and various women empowerment initiatives. He emphasized the implementation of the 4-acre model as a proven approach for household wealth creation.
The President cautioned clerics in the sub-region against promoting sectarian politics, reminding them of its historically divisive consequences. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fast-tracking irrigation schemes in Kigezi to boost agricultural productivity. Citing the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) in Bushenyi—where irrigation and fertilization have increased yields more than tenfold—President Museveni promised to scale up similar models for farmers across Kigezi.
He also pledged to develop a comprehensive wetland conservation strategy to support irrigation and fish-farming enterprises in the region. Addressing national and regional politics, President Museveni challenged opposition presidential candidates to clearly state their positions on East African regional integration. He described the regional market and the pursuit of political federation as essential pillars for development and long-term security.
The President reiterated that Africa’s survival depends on the unity of its people and called on Ugandans to champion this cause. He urged the electorate in Kigezi to exercise their voting power responsibly by supporting leaders who are non-corrupt and committed to effective service delivery.
On job creation, President Museveni assured the people of Kigezi of more government interventions and outlined the sectors poised to drive employment growth. He warned against discrimination in the distribution of PDM funds, insisting that all qualifying beneficiaries must receive equal consideration. He condemned individuals attempting to exclude eligible participants and called for strict adherence to guidelines.
Addressing concerns in the tea sector, the NRM CEC representative for Entrepreneurs, Haji Basajja Balaba, presented the current challenges facing tea growers and proposed solutions for revamping the industry. In response, President Museveni promised targeted interventions such as funding for fertilizers, seedlings, and market support to stabilize and revive the sector.
This marked the conclusion of President Museveni’s media engagement with journalists from the Kigezi Sub-region at Ntungamo State Lodge, following the completion of his campaign trail in the area.
