Buyende — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) against forming divisive political camps within the party, urging leaders to remain grounded in the party’s founding principles.
He emphasised that the NRM was created to transcend the sectarianism of Uganda’s older political formations and instead focus on shared interests and national progress.
The President made the remarks during a Thanksgiving ceremony for the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, at Iringa Township Primary School in Buyende District. “I want to thank my daughter, Babirye, for raising the issue of factions in NRM. We do not want to repeat the mistakes of parties like the Democratic Party, which thrived on religious and tribal divisions. NRM is about patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy. That’s the foundation we must protect,” he said.
President Museveni stressed that NRM leaders must reject selfish politics and instead promote principled leadership for the good of the country. He reminded party members that internal disagreements were normal but must never derail the shared vision. “You may have differences, but if you’re all NRM, you must align with its goals. Let’s not fight; let’s dialogue. The objectives are clear. The real enemy is poverty,” he added.
Turning his focus to development in Busoga, the President urged residents to shift their focus from infrastructure alone to also building personal wealth. “Tarmacked roads, electricity, and schools are public goods, but they don’t make you wealthy by default,” he explained. “We’ve had tarmacked roads since 1965, but poverty persists where people don’t engage in productive activities.”
To address unemployment, President Museveni encouraged citizens to participate in the four pillars of the economy: agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
He cited Hon. Fred Byamukama, Minister of State for Transport, who employs 26 people on his four-acre farm and earns Shs 85 million monthly, as an example of how small-scale productivity can fight poverty. He also urged the public to embrace the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other government programs aimed at wealth creation.
President Museveni expressed frustration over the slow implementation of free education in government schools. He called on school administrators and stakeholders to fully embrace the policy, stating, “Let children study for free. If resources are insufficient, inform us so we can intervene.” He added that due to these challenges, he initiated free skilling centres for youth, which are yielding positive results.
He further promised to engage stakeholders to address challenges affecting fishing communities in the region and pledged to tarmac the Kamuli, Jinja–Budondo, and Walukoko–Luuka roads. The President also contributed Shs 100 million toward the construction of a local Seventh-Day Adventist church.
Praising Hon. Babalanda, the President described her as a loyal mobilizer and a resilient leader who survived COVID-19 shortly after being appointed Minister. “She’s a fighter. When she was critically ill, I prayed and acted to ensure she received the care she needed,” he said.
Furthermore, President Museveni contributed Shs100 million for the construction of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the area and also pledged that the government was going to tarmac Kamuli road, Jinja – Budondo road and Walukoko- Luuka road.
NRM leaders, including Buyende MP Hon. Moses Magogo, echoed this sentiment and thanked the President for signing the Sugarcane Amendment Bill into law and supporting fisheries regulation and other economic initiatives. Magogo promised continued mobilisation in Busoga to secure NRM’s victory in the 2026 elections.
The Thanksgiving ceremony drew Ministers, MPs, RDCs, religious leaders, and community members from across the region, symbolising unity and continued faith in the NRM’s mission for transformation.