Buhweju’s Long-Awaited Road Set for Construction – Museveni

Buhweju — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flagbearer for the 2026 general elections, on Saturday held his first campaign rally of the day in Buhweju District.

Addressing thousands at Engaju Secondary School, President Museveni announced that the long-awaited Bwizibwera–Nyakambu–Nsiika–Nyakashaka–Nyakabirizi road is finally set for construction.

“We have not worked on this road, but now the China Railway 18th Bureau Group is ready. They are securing Shs 30bn to compensate those affected along the road, after which construction will start immediately,” he said.

The President emphasised the importance of peace in the district, noting Buhweju’s proximity to Kasese, an area affected by insecurity spilling over from Congo.

“I once passed through Buhweju by car and found the people well-rested and enjoying their evening. That’s peace,” he said. “Uganda was never easy to manage in terms of peace. So, when opposition leaders come asking, Can you manage peace, I say, Buhweju knows what NRM has done,” he added.

Museveni recalled a story he recently shared with local leaders about a man named Ngoma Elanze, born during Congo’s turmoil in 1964. “At one time, Uganda was also ‘Ngoma Elanze’, but NRM restored peace,” he said.

Water, Health, and Education Gains

The President highlighted improvements in social services, noting that 261 of Buhweju’s 348 villages now have safe water, translating to 75% coverage.

On health, he pointed to the district’s population growth—from 34,000 in 1980 to 167,000 today—as evidence of the success of government immunisation programs. “This growth shows the success of our immunisation program. All these children are NRM children,” he said.

Museveni announced plans to upgrade and expand health facilities, including elevating Nsiika HCIV to a General Hospital, Engaju HCIII to HCIV, and constructing new HCIIIs in Kashenyi-Kajani, Nyakaziba, Rubengye, and Rwengwe.

He also cited ongoing works at Bitsya, Kiyanja, Karungu, and Burere health centres.

On education, the district now has 56 government primary schools and 130 private primary schools, and seven government secondary schools, with more under construction. “All 140 sub-counties will eventually have government secondary schools,” he said.

Success Story of Local Beneficiary

President Museveni highlighted the story of Ms Mary Getrude Kyomugasho, a beneficiary of government skilling initiatives. A Primary Seven dropout, she trained in tailoring and knitting, later starting her own workshop.

“Today I have three machines and two employees. I pay them Shs 5,000 per day, and I continue growing my business. Thank you, President Museveni, for changing my life,” she said.

Museveni praised her entrepreneurship: “She has got a skill and capital, and that is what creates jobs.”

Clarifying Wealth Creation vs Development

The President stressed the need to shift focus to household wealth creation, explaining the difference between physical development—such as roads and urban infrastructure—and personal income.

He reiterated the Four-Acre Model introduced in the 1996 Manifesto, outlining commercial agriculture, manufacturing, service industries, and ICT as the pillars of wealth creation.

NRM Endorsements

Museveni handed over NRM flags to aspiring MPs, LC V chairpersons, councillors, and other party candidates, formally endorsing them for the upcoming elections.

Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anitah Among praised the President: “We welcome you, Your Excellency, to Buhweju. Thank you for coming to the campaign in our district. We appreciate your leadership and the work you continue to do for our communities.”

She thanked him for prioritising the Bwizibwera–Nsiika–Nyakashaka–Nyakabirizi road in the National Development Plan IV. “The road is in dire need of repair, and the people of Buhweju are grateful knowing that work will commence soon,” she said.

Among also noted government support for the Buhweju Tea Factory, with Shs 310 billion provided for tea farmers and processors.

District Achievements and Development Demands

NRM Western Uganda Vice Chairman, Eng. Jonard Asiimwe assured the President of strong mobilisation and highlighted sector achievements in coffee, tourism, and mining.

Buhweju District NRM Chairperson, Mr Godfrey Kabandize, presented a detailed memorandum on the district’s demographics and progress. He revealed that Buhweju has 14 sub-counties/town councils, 68 parishes, and 348 villages with a population of 167,921. Registered voters have increased by more than 10,000 since 2021.

Kabandize noted that 21,762 households (61.6%) have benefited from Parish Development Model (PDM) funds—amounting to Shs 20.8 billion—while Emyooga has supported 36 SACCOs with 10,020 members and Shs 1.46 billion.

He acknowledged gaps in education and health access but highlighted ongoing infrastructure expansion, including three Seed Secondary Schools and several health facility upgrades.

Safe water access has reached 75%, with gravity flow schemes, protected springs, and major piped systems installed across Nsiika, Rwamwanja, Kajani-Kasheni, Rutehe, Kayonza, and Kyamuhunga. The district is now fully connected to the national electricity grid.

Kabandize reaffirmed local support: “Through NRM structures, the people of Buhweju are ready to support you 100%. We are committed to ensuring that every development initiative succeeds in our district.”

The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of enthusiastic supporters.