Bukwo — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday held his first rally in the Sebei sub-region as part of his 2026 re-election campaign, assuring residents of Bukwo District of stronger government support following the recent landslides that claimed several lives and destroyed property.
Addressing thousands of supporters at Amanang Secondary School playgrounds, the President began by extending his condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to assist affected communities.
“I extend condolences to the people of Bukwo for the death of our people who were swept by landslides. We shall support the families of the victims. I have already sent some small support, but the government as a whole will provide even more,” said President Museveni.
The President emphasised the ecological and continental importance of Mount Elgon, describing it as one of the “mothers of the River Nile” and urging residents to use the mountain’s resources wisely.
“This mountain is very precious and important for the Sebei, for Eastern Uganda, and for Africa as a whole. All these rivers that start here end up in the Nile. We must know how to live and use this mountain wisely,” he said.
He attributed the increasing frequency of landslides to population pressure and poor land management and announced plans for a comprehensive post-election dialogue to design a sustainable settlement and livelihood strategy for mountain communities.
“Agriculture is not the only way to use this mountain,” he advised. “In Europe, people live in valleys and use mountains for sports and tourism. I will organise a trip for some people from Rwenzori and Elgon to see how others live in the Alps.”
He cautioned against cultivating steep slopes, noting that “the mountain is not the problem — it is how we live with it.”
Peace and Security
President Museveni, also the NRM presidential candidate, reminded supporters that the party’s greatest legacy over the past four decades has been the restoration of peace and stability across Uganda.
“You, the people of Bukwo, know what lack of peace is,” he said, referring to past insecurity caused by cross-border conflicts with Pokot warriors and rebel activity around Mount Elgon. “But now, the whole of Uganda is peaceful, and anyone who tries to bring trouble will be dealt with decisively.”
He credited Uganda’s peace to the NRM’s ideology rooted in patriotism and Pan-Africanism, emphasising that the movement stands for unity beyond religion or tribe.
“We believe in loving Uganda and Africa. If you do good things, you’re with us. If you do bad things, we oppose you,” he said, adding that this principle has built strong national institutions such as the army and police, which safeguard the nation’s stability.
Development Gains in Sebei: Roads, Water, and Power
The President outlined key infrastructure projects that have transformed the Sebei and Bugisu sub-regions, opening them up for trade and investment.
“We pushed from Mbale to Kapchorwa even when we had no money. I used the compensation money from Kenya to construct the Kapchorwa–Mbale road. Later, we constructed the Kapchorwa–Suam road,” he recalled.
Major completed and ongoing projects include: Kapchorwa–Suam Road (75 km) and Mbale–Bubulo–Lwakhakha Road (45 km) – funded by AfDB and Kapenguria–Kwoti Road (10 km), Nakalama–Tirinyi–Mbale (106 km), Namunsi–Sironko–Muyembe–Kapchorwa (29 km), and Tororo–Mbale–Soroti (150 km) – rehabilitated under national works programs. Ongoing projects: Muyembe–Nakapiripirit (92 km) and Namagumba–Budadiri–Nalugugu (39 km).
He added that every district now receives UGX 1 billion annually for community road maintenance to boost rural access and local economies.
In the water sector, Museveni reported that Bukwo has achieved 45.2% rural water coverage, with 354 out of 784 villages accessing safe water. Functional systems include the Bukwo Town Council Piped Water System, Suam, and several rural schemes serving over 47,000 residents.
Ongoing projects include the Riwo Water System extension, spring rehabilitation in Kongasis, and new boreholes in Bukwo Sub-county.
The President urged citizens to use the Local Council (LC) system to monitor public funds and fight corruption. “The anti-corruption formula is the LC system because they are elected by you. Follow the money we send for roads and projects,” he said.
Education and Health
Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to free universal education, expressing concern that some local administrators still impose fees. “In the next government, I want all of us to agree that education in government schools must be free,” he said.
Bukwo District currently has 49 government and 44 private primary schools, and 10 government and 9 private secondary schools. Construction of three new Seed Secondary Schools is underway, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without government secondary schools from 11 to 8.
The President also highlighted the Sebei Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub in Kween District, where over 1,100 youth have been trained in trades like carpentry, tailoring, welding, and baking.
On health, he announced new interventions including: Upgrading Bukwo Health Centre IV to a General Hospital, Upgrading Kapnandi, Kamet, and Kapsarur HC IIs to HC IIIs and Constructing new HC IIIs in Riwo, Kabei, Senendet, Bukwo, and Suam Sub-counties.
“These interventions will bring health services closer to the people,” he said.
Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model
President Museveni emphasised that while the government provides infrastructure, individual prosperity depends on household enterprise. “Development is ours, but wealth is yours,” he told the crowd.
He urged residents to adopt the 4-acre model, combining commercial crops, food security, and livestock.
Under the Parish Development Model (PDM), Bukwo District has received UGX 33.4 billion, with nearly 100% disbursed to over 35,000 households, representing 62% of all households.
“Jobs mainly come from wealth created by individuals and families, not government employment,” he said, citing examples of Ugandans who have become job creators through commercial farming.
The President also showcased a video of the Sino Industrial Park in Mbale, describing it as a symbol of Uganda’s shift from an importing to a manufacturing economy. “These factories produce what we used to import. This is the way to go,” he said.
Local Support and Political Outlook
Local leaders, led by Bukwo NRM District Chairperson Abubaker Nyandani, pledged overwhelming support for President Museveni in the upcoming elections, targeting over 87% of the vote.
Nyandani cited government achievements in peace, infrastructure, and social transformation, but requested the reinstatement of Bukwo District Hospital, the construction of local markets, and compensation for landslide and cattle-rustling victims.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among, who attended the rally, thanked the President for his swift response to the landslide tragedy and reaffirmed the region’s strong backing for the NRM.
In 2021, President Museveni received 87.4% of Bukwo’s votes, and with the district’s registered voters increasing from 44,000 to 56,000, NRM leaders are confident of expanding that margin in 2026.