By Jumah Kakomo and Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party Presidential Candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has cautioned voters in Makindye Division, Kampala Capital City, against proponents of violence, whom he described as enemies of Uganda’s wealth creation, job opportunities, development, and socioeconomic transformation.
Addressing residents during an NRM presidential campaign rally at Buziga Primary School playgrounds, Museveni said the NRM government has delivered broad-based national transformation, citing achievements in peace and stability, economic and social development, wealth and job creation, and youth skilling initiatives, among other landmark programs.
The President urged the electorate of Makindye Division to cherish and safeguard these gains by re-electing him and all NRM flag bearers in the forthcoming general elections. He highlighted several NRM-led development projects implemented in Makindye Division, which he said are worth protecting and building upon.
Museveni also pointed to Uganda’s progress toward import substitution, particularly the planned full-scale production at the Kiira Electric Vehicle plant in Jinja City. He noted that domestic vehicle manufacturing is creating jobs and wealth and forms part of Uganda’s strategic investments. He challenged residents of Makindye to identify additional wealth-creation sectors in which they can actively participate.
The President outlined mass wealth creation initiatives slated for scale-up in Makindye Division, guiding the electorate on four key sectors for wealth and job creation. These include skills training and artisanship through presidential zonal industrial skilling hubs, manufacturing supported by thousands of factories established across the country, the services sector, and ICT. He also emphasized peri-urban commercial agriculture as a viable option for small-scale landowners and urban dwellers, pledging continued government support to boost household incomes.
Museveni cited success stories from these sectors and rallied voters to extend the NRM’s tenure to unlock further opportunities for wealth and employment. He also assessed the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Makindye Division, ordering the closure of gaps identified in its implementation.
He directed the Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, and the PDM Secretariat to extend the ongoing review of PDM operations beyond Kawempe and Nansana to include Makindye Division. Museveni further confirmed plans to increase PDM funding and called for strict adherence to allocations for youth, women, and other special interest groups as stipulated in the guidelines.
The President emphasized that PDM SACCOs are intended to operate as permanent parish banks under the direct control of beneficiaries, urging residents to manage the funds responsibly. He also instructed NRM flag bearers in Makindye to hold meetings with residents, gather concerns on service delivery, and report back for prompt redress.
Museveni pledged to further strengthen youth skilling initiatives through the presidential industrial skilling hubs, sharing testimonies from beneficiaries during the rally.
The First Lady, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, challenged the youth of Makindye Division to demonstrate their patriotism by re-electing Museveni and all NRM flag bearers. She also called on voters to turn up in large numbers on polling day to support the NRM at all levels.
NRM First National Vice Chairperson Alhaji Moses Kigongo urged party members in Makindye to intensify joint campaigns to ensure a decisive victory. Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) Anita Among called for tailored programs for participants in the night economy, expansion of Kiruddu Hospital, and increased youth funding.
NRM Kampala Vice Chairperson Salim Uhuru underscored the importance of youth skilling initiatives and the Parish Development Model, offering recommendations to enhance their impact. Meanwhile, Makindye Division NRM Chairperson Lukyamuzi Kakooza presented the division’s memorandum outlining key local priorities.
