By Jumah Kakomo and Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party Presidential Candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has expanded his campaign trail to the Rwenzori Sub-region, announcing major infrastructural developments—most notably a new International Airport and a Standard Gauge Railway line for Kasese District—aimed at boosting tourism and business operations.
Speaking at Nyakasanga Playgrounds in Kasese District during the launch of his presidential campaign in the Rwenzori Sub-region, General Museveni emphasized that the region’s high tourism traffic requires additional infrastructure to unlock its full potential. He said an international airport would attract more tourists to the area’s natural attractions, while railway services would further support business growth.
Museveni also confirmed that government is set to extend electricity and water distribution to the few remaining unserved parts of Kasese District.
Highlighting the NRM’s massive road infrastructure agenda for the Rwenzori region, the President named several key roads due for reconstruction. These include: Kikorongo–Bwera Road, Kasese–Kirembe Road and Bundibugyo–Fort Portal Road
He added that the ongoing construction of the Mityana–Mubende–Kyenjojo–Kabarole–Fort Portal Road will be expedited to enhance connectivity throughout the region.
General Museveni cautioned leaders against scattered planning, noting that disjointed development strategies derail national progress. He explained how the NRM’s strategy-first approach has driven Uganda’s major development and socioeconomic transformation initiatives, urging Kasese residents and leaders to uphold the same principles.
The President directed the Prime Minister and the Attorney General to urgently address outstanding land issues raised by district leaders and to fast-track government pledges to residents. He also instructed State House Comptroller Jane Barekye to follow up on concerns related to service delivery and government commitments.
Addressing security concerns, Museveni assured residents of Uganda’s readiness to counter any threats along the border in Kasese. He emphasized the importance of peace and stability in national development, referencing past insecurities in the region that the NRM government successfully handled.
General Museveni rallied the electorate to re-elect the NRM for continued development and deeper socioeconomic transformation. He promised enhanced interventions in health and education, building on the existing 260 government primary schools, the District Hospital, Health Centre IVs, and Health Centre IIIs across Kasese.
He reiterated that the NRM has the “right diagnosis and prescription” for Uganda’s development challenges, backed by 40 years of consistent leadership. Museveni also emphasized the need to distinguish between wealth creation and development, urging citizens to focus on income-generating activities for true transformation.
The NRM candidate further explained the party’s 4-Acre Model, highlighting enterprises such as poultry, dairy farming, coffee production, fish farming, and piggery. He showcased success stories from residents who have embraced these wealth creation strategies, encouraging all still engaged in subsistence farming to follow suit.
Museveni assured the people of Kasese of abundant job opportunities through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, ICT, artisanship, and industrial skilling programmes, including those demonstrated by graduates of the Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hubs.
The NRM Second National Vice Chairperson, Anita Among, urged the NRM fraternity in Kasese to strengthen grassroots mobilization and safeguard the region’s peace. She commended President Museveni for allocating 136 billion shillings towards upgrading River Nyamwamba.
During the event, the Kasese District NRM Chairperson, James Mbahimba, presented the district status report to the President.
