Kazo — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni received a heroic welcome on Friday in Kazo District, where thousands of jubilant supporters turned out as he continued his campaign trail across the Ankole Sub-region.
Accompanied by the First Daughter, Mrs Patience Rwabwogo Museveni, the President delivered a comprehensive address outlining the National Resistance Movement’s achievements over the past 40 years and the commitments captured in the 2026–2031 NRM Manifesto.
President Museveni told the crowd that the NRM’s foremost contribution to Uganda is the establishment of lasting peace—peace he said was made possible by rejecting divisive politics.
“Because we rejected sectarianism, we were able to build a national political party, a national army, a national police force and ensure stability across the country,” he said.
Infrastructure and Social Development
The President highlighted significant strides in economic and social infrastructure. He pointed to Kazo’s major tarmac road—part of the Lyantonde–Fort Portal corridor—as a key milestone delivered under the NRM government.
He also pledged to extend a reliable water supply to Kazo, referencing past successful connections: “We shall get water for Kazo from the Katonga River,” he assured residents, noting similar projects in Kiruhura and the sourcing of water from the Kagera River for Mbarara.
In education, President Museveni praised the district’s progress, noting Kazo now hosts 63 government primary schools and 254 private primary schools, a stark contrast to the pre-NRM era.
The district also has six government and 32 private secondary schools, collectively serving more than 36,000 learners. He said such transformation stems from deliberate investment in social infrastructure—an investment that must continue.
Health Sector Improvements
On health, the President recognised the presence of one Health Centre IV, seven Health Centre IIIs, and 11 Health Centre IIs in Kazo. He urged residents to appreciate how far the district has come from the days when health facilities were scarce.
He reaffirmed government plans to upgrade Kazo Health Centre IV into a District Hospital, and to elevate Rwamuranga and Migina Health Centre IIs. He also highlighted ongoing World Bank–funded works at Kazo HCIV, including the construction of medical stores and a mortuary, describing them as vital improvements to service delivery.
Wealth Creation and Household Prosperity
Turning to the NRM’s third pillar—wealth creation—President Museveni emphasised the need for households to distinguish between development and personal wealth.
Development, he said, benefits everyone, but wealth must be generated at the household level.
He reiterated the Four-Acre Model and criticised widespread free-range grazing in Ankole: “When you do free grazing, one square mile can graze only 200 cows. But when you plant pasture, one acre can feed eight cows, meaning a square mile can handle 500 cows,” he explained.
He urged farmers to adopt zero-grazing and cautioned against disposing of ancestral land only to buy less productive land elsewhere.
The President hailed the transformation of the dairy and coffee sectors, attributing progress to Operation Wealth Creation under Gen. Salim Saleh and to farmers who embraced commercial agriculture.
Job Creation and Skilling
President Museveni also underscored job creation as the NRM’s fourth major contribution. He noted that while government institutions employ about 480,000 people, factories and industries now employ 1.3 million Ugandans across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
He praised skilling hubs for empowering young people who had dropped out of school and later established their own enterprises.