Mbarara — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, was this afternoon welcomed by thousands of enthusiastic supporters at Booma Grounds in Mbarara City as he continued his campaign tour of the Ankole Sub-region.
Addressing residents from both Mbarara District and Mbarara City, President Museveni urged voters to support National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearers in the 2026 general elections. He outlined what he described as the NRM’s four major contributions to Uganda, beginning with the restoration of peace.
The President recalled the instability Uganda experienced in 1972, 1979 and 1985, emphasising that the NRM ended decades of turmoil by rejecting sectarian politics based on tribe, religion, gender or other divisions.
“Today, we have peace from border to border because we chose unity and built strong institutions—the army, police, judiciary and others,” he said.
Museveni listed development as the second key contribution, pointing to improved national road networks and the rehabilitation of old routes. He announced that the government will construct the Biharwe–Bwizibwera road and highlighted the expansion of electricity coverage, saying power is “almost everywhere.”
Turning to wealth creation, the President urged Ugandans to focus on increasing household incomes rather than relying solely on infrastructure developments. He cited the example of George Matongo from Ngoma, who earns Shs21 million per month from dairy farming despite living far from tarmac roads and electricity.
He encouraged families with small landholdings to adopt the “four-acre model”: coffee on the first acre, fruits on the second, pasture for zero-grazing dairy cows on the third, and food crops on the fourth—supplemented by poultry, piggery or fish farming in the backyard.
Museveni argued that the NRM is the only government in Africa that provides funds to citizens specifically to help them escape poverty. For urban households without land, he pointed to government skilling centres offering training in tailoring, welding, hairdressing, bakery, brickmaking and other trades.
He noted that an estimated 30% of Ugandans remain outside the money economy—one of the key groups he intends to bring into income-generating activity. Job creation, he said, remains the fourth NRM contribution, driven by commercial agriculture, factories, services and ICT.
The President urged residents of Mbarara to continue supporting the NRM, saying the party has a proven track record.
First Lady Janet Museveni praised the unity and turnout of Mbarara residents, describing their show of support as “a powerful message.”
“Today the people of Mbarara have spoken to the whole of Uganda without saying anything,” she said. “You have made a big statement. Continue with grassroots mobilisation, house to house, and aim for 99.9% support for the NRM in the next election.”
She cautioned supporters against complacency: “Big crowds don’t automatically mean victory. You must look for more votes and ensure people turn up on voting day.”
Mbarara District NRM Chairperson Prosper Atuheise commended the President for steering a party that unites Ugandans across tribes, religions, and political affiliations. He thanked the government for development initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and improved road networks.
Mbarara City NRM Chairperson Wilson Tumwine expressed gratitude for the government’s approval to upgrade Nyakisharara Airfield into an international airport. He also appealed for the construction of a stadium in Mbarara City to promote sports and nurture young talent.
