By Jumah Kakomo and Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has cautioned voters in Butambala District against electing what he described as inexperienced “gambler” politicians, accusing them of frustrating development initiatives. He pledged to tarmac the Mitala Maria–Kanoni road to complement the already established tarmac network in the district.
Speaking during an NRM presidential campaign rally at Nkokoma Playground in Butambala District, Museveni emphasized the need for voters to elect leaders who are ideologically aligned with the NRM to effectively support government development programs. He blamed opposition leaders for previously frustrating key interventions in the district.
Museveni highlighted ongoing and completed road infrastructure, including the Mpigi–Kibibi–Gombe–Mpenja–Kanoni–Kabulasoke–Maddu–Masaka highway, and pledged to finalize plans to tarmac the Mitala Maria–Bulo–Kinoni road.
The NRM flag bearer also promised to establish a Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hub in the Greater Mpigi area to serve youth, building on the success of trainees from the Kayunga Industrial Skilling Hub. He said the initiative would further strengthen skills development across various vocational fields.
Museveni outlined several achievements of the NRM government in Butambala District, urging residents to protect these gains by re-electing the NRM government in the forthcoming general elections. He cited improved electricity coverage to all sub-county headquarters, expanded telecommunications services, and access to safe and clean water.
He committed to extending water services to the remaining 12 unserved villages out of the district’s 141 villages. In the health sector, Museveni noted that all sub-counties now have designated health centres, complemented by the Gombe District General Hospital, which provides timely healthcare services.
On education, Museveni guided district leaders to ensure equitable distribution of government schools in line with national policy—one government primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county. He noted that 22 of the district’s 25 parishes are currently served by the 68 government primary schools and pledged to establish three additional schools to cover the remaining parishes in his next term.
The President reaffirmed the NRM government’s commitment to wealth creation, urging residents to embrace government programs. He attributed the growing coffee production in Butambala and neighbouring districts such as Masaka, Sembabule, and Rakai to NRM interventions and promised further support in his next term.
Museveni also guided residents on sustainable land use, commercial agriculture, and manufacturing as pathways for household and individual wealth creation, citing success stories from across the region. He challenged the electorate to scale up economic initiatives as government continues to fast-track infrastructure development.
Reiterating the NRM’s emphasis on unity, peace, and development, Museveni called on voters to support the party and its flag bearers for continued progress.
Addressing the rally, First Lady Maama Janet Kataha Museveni set a 70 percent electoral target for Butambala District, citing improved service delivery under the NRM government. She urged voters to safeguard unity, peace, and development by re-electing President Museveni and NRM candidates, and cautioned against opposition politicians she accused of frustrating development.
NRM First National Vice Chairperson Alhaji Moses Kigongo warned party leaders in the district against divisions and internal conflicts that could weaken NRM support. Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) Anita Among criticized opposition leaders, particularly Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, accusing them of undermining government programs while benefiting from them.
NRM Vice Chairperson for the Buganda Sub-region, Haruna Kasolo, called on voters to reject what he termed arrogance and radicalism among opposition politicians that hinder development.
The rally concluded with the Butambala District NRM Chairperson, Herbert Bwenje, presenting the district memorandum.
