By Jumah Kakomo and Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has proposed granting leasehold tenure of at least 49 years to occupants of bare forest reserve land in Nakaseke District, on condition that they actively plant trees and support reforestation efforts.
The proposal followed a request by Nakaseke District leaders for free land titles for the occupants. However, General Museveni guided that leasehold tenure would be more appropriate in order to protect forest reserves while enabling lawful land use.
Speaking during an NRM presidential campaign rally at Butalangu in Nakaseke District, Museveni also pledged to fast-track compensation for absentee landlords, address the problem of counterfeit veterinary drugs on the market, resolve veterans’ welfare issues, and provide new road construction equipment for the district.
He further advised cattle farmers in Nakaseke District and across the cattle corridor to embrace modern, efficient dairy farming and improved land utilisation practices to boost productivity and end nomadic cattle keeping. Museveni noted that the average landholding in Nakaseke is sufficient to support high-value, high-milk-producing cattle that require less land.
To illustrate this, the NRM candidate cited successful dairy farmers operating on small acreage, including Joseph Ijara of Serere District and Mzee Nayakana of Kabarole District, urging farmers to emulate such models. He emphasized that small-scale landowners can generate significant wealth through improved dairy cattle rearing, reaffirming the NRM government’s commitment to training, advising, and supporting wealth creation initiatives.
On infrastructure, Museveni listed several planned and ongoing tarmac road projects in Nakaseke District aimed at improving mobility of goods and services. These include the extension of the Kampala–Luwero–Butalangu road to Ngoma and Masindi, the Butalangu–Kapeeka–Nakwaya–Bukomero road, and the near-completion of reconstruction works on the Matuga–Ssemuto–Kapeeka road. These projects are intended to complement existing highways such as the Kampala–Luwero–Gulu highway and the Kampala–Busunju–Hoima–Buliisa highway, which passes through the cattle corridor.
Museveni called on the electorate of Nakaseke District to continue supporting the NRM’s prioritization approach to socio-economic development, citing peace and stability as the foundation upon which current development gains are built. He highlighted landmark achievements in education, health, electricity, and water supply across the district.
He also encouraged youth to acquire practical skills as a job creation strategy alongside commercial agriculture and manufacturing, noting that the NRM government has supported numerous such initiatives over time.
The First Lady, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, urged the people of Nakaseke to protect the gains of peace, unity, and development achieved under the NRM government by re-electing President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers in the forthcoming general elections.
Former Finance Minister and NRM elder Hajjati Syda Bbumba challenged voters to reflect on the transformation of livelihoods in Nakaseke under NRM leadership and to vote for continuity. NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Sub-region Haruna Kasoro called for unity and block voting for the party.
NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja highlighted several development initiatives implemented in Nakaseke District and appealed for renewed support for President Museveni and NRM candidates. The Nakaseke District NRM Chairperson, Muhammad Gubya, concluded the rally by presenting the district memorandum.
