KALANGALA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged voters in Kalangala District to elect National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Idah Nabayiga in the forthcoming Woman Member of Parliament by-election, while unveiling an ambitious development roadmap for the Ssese Islands focused on transport, electricity, healthcare, education and wealth creation.
Addressing a campaign rally at Kibanga Primary School playground on Monday, President Museveni, who is also the National Chairperson of the NRM, said the district would benefit from stronger coordination with the central government if residents elected an NRM representative to Parliament.
The by-election was triggered by the death of Kalangala District Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli in April this year. “Whatever you have said, I have heard, but it seems there is a problem; you voted for the opposition. I have never talked to any opposition leader from here,” President Museveni told supporters.
He argued that government efforts to address local challenges had often been hampered by the absence of close coordination with district leadership.
“We have been trying to help with the issues, but have had no clear leadership here. Now that NRM is here and Jajja is here, let us organise ourselves and send Nabayiga to Parliament,” he said.
Ferry Expansion and Road Infrastructure
President Museveni said transport remains the most critical issue for island communities and highlighted government investments already made to improve connectivity between Kalangala and the mainland.
“I greet you, all the people of Ssese Islands. I told you long ago that for a place like Kalangala, the issue of transport is very important. We worked on the Masaka–Bukakata road. After that, the remaining issue is these other roads, which we shall work on and the ferry,” he said.
The President acknowledged concerns over ferry operations and pledged to streamline schedules.
“We have MV Kalangala from Nakiwogo to Bukakata. I will look into the issue of timing. These ferries should have time; they cannot move whenever they feel like. They should have a known schedule,” he said.
He announced plans to introduce additional ferries to improve the movement of people and goods across the islands. “We are going to add new ferries. One will come from Entebbe to Mwena. It will start from Kasenyi, Jana, Bubeke, Lwanabatya, to Lulindi. That will be the third ferry,” he said.
“The second one we shall purchase will make the fourth ferry. It will go from Entebbe to Kyamuswa, passing through Nakiwogo, Kachanga, Luvu, to Litoboka.”
According to the President, ferry services will be reorganised after the fleet expansion to ensure greater efficiency and reliability. “After increasing the number of ferries, the one at Nakiwogo will be transferred here. That is the plan we have for ferries,” he added.
Electricity, Schools and Hospital
President Museveni also promised to address electricity shortages in several parts of the islands. “Kyamuswa, Bufumira and some areas still do not have electricity. Mazinga, Mugoye and others — I will sit down with your leaders, and we shall work on that,” he said.
In education, he pledged government support for underserved communities. “On education, the three parishes that do not have secondary schools will get them,” he said.
On healthcare, the President endorsed calls for the establishment of a district hospital in Kalangala. “On health, you are demanding a district hospital. We shall work on it because the people of Ssese need a hospital, and even tourists need it. We are going to ensure we get it,” he said.
Wealth Creation and Fisheries
The President urged residents to embrace the Four-Acre Model, which promotes intensive agriculture through coffee growing, fruit farming, food crops, livestock and poultry production to boost household incomes.
He also encouraged island communities to take advantage of opportunities in palm oil production, commercial agriculture and fishing.
Speaking about Uganda’s fisheries sector, President Museveni reflected on the collapse of fish processing facilities before the NRM came to power and efforts to revive the industry after 1986.
“When we came back in 1986, they had all closed and faded,” he said of fish factories that once operated around Uganda’s lakes.
He recounted how the government partnered with investors to rebuild the sector. “When I entered the State House, an Italian minister called Francesco said he had $22 million and asked what he could do. I told him to use $14 million to construct a fish factory in Masese. Everyone then started showing interest,” President Museveni said.
He also pledged to convene a meeting of leaders from Kalangala to review fisheries policies and address concerns raised by fishing communities.
Local Leaders Welcome Commitments
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation) and NRM Vice Chairperson for Central Region, Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, welcomed the President and urged residents to continue supporting the ruling party.
“We welcome you here in Kalangala. The last time you came here, you led us well, and the people of Kalangala heard your message and supported you with votes,” Kasolo said.
NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja credited government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) for improving livelihoods in the district.
“Thank you, President, for your wise leadership. We congratulate you on your victory in the presidential elections. The people of Kalangala received your message and supported the NRM,” Namayanja said.
Kalangala District Chairperson Agnes Lunkuse praised government investments in the district, noting that PDM funding had reached approximately Shs6 billion and benefited more than 5,000 residents, while Emyooga had supported over 10,000 beneficiaries.
“Thank you for empowering women. We welcome you to Kalangala and thank you for the support to our people,” Lunkuse said.
She also highlighted improvements in electricity connectivity, water supply and education infrastructure, but called for further investments. “We still need better timing for ferries, as was promised, and improved roads because Kalangala is a tourism district,” she said.
Lunkuse further appealed for the upgrading of Kalangala Health Centre IV into a district hospital and the rehabilitation of Kalangala Central Market.
The rally was attended by Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba, Public Service Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala, NRM Central Executive Committee member Hajji Shafik Mwanje and other party leaders ahead of the highly anticipated by-election.
