Kamwenge — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) will establish a battalion and barracks in Kamwenge District as part of government efforts to cement long-term peace in an area previously affected by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel incursions.
The President — also the NRM Presidential flag bearer — announced on Monday while addressing thousands of supporters at Kyabenda Primary School playground in Kamwenge. He was accompanied by First Daughter Mrs Natasha Karugire Museveni.
“For a long time, Kamwenge faced insecurity because of ADF incursions through the forests. But because of unity and a strong army, we have managed to maintain peace,” Museveni said. “To consolidate this peace, we are going to establish a battalion here in Kamwenge and look for land to build a barracks.”
He thanked residents for their overwhelming support and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Shift to Wealth Creation and Commercial Agriculture
Museveni said that after defeating the ADF threat, the government turned its focus to development, but found that household poverty persisted. He applauded farmers who have adopted commercial agriculture under the “Ekibaaro” approach.
“I am glad many farmers listened. You have shifted from small-scale maize to coffee, fruits and bananas. Those who listened are now in the money economy,” he said.
The President also announced plans to acquire land for an industrial park and a presidential slaughter hub in the district. The government will further establish SACCOs and seed nurseries at the constituency and district level.
Infrastructure and Irrigation
Museveni said key road projects in the region have been prioritised, noting ongoing and planned works on the Lyantonde–Ibanda–Kamwenge–Fort Portal route, the Kyenjojo–Kihura road, and improvements on the Rwimi road.
He identified irrigation as the country’s next major development focus.
“Our new war is irrigation. Government will take it seriously, but we must ensure wetlands are preserved,” he said.
Success Stories in Skilling and Farming
Museveni praised Mr Julius Akorinako, a retired District Inspector of Schools turned commercial coffee farmer, as an example of successful wealth creation. Since adopting clonal coffee on six acres, Akorinako now earns an estimated net income of Shs40 million annually.
The President also highlighted progress from the presidential skilling hubs, pointing to the transformation of Ms Racheal Natukunda from Kyenjojo. A Senior Four dropout, Natukunda, completed training in hairdressing and cosmetology, secured a microfinance loan of Shs500,000, opened a salon, and later diversified into poultry farming.
“Natukunda was once hopeless. Today, she is skilled, she employs others and owns poultry. That is exactly what we want for our young people,” Museveni said.
During the rally, Museveni handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors and other party candidates in Kamwenge District ahead of the upcoming elections.
Security and Unity Have Driven Kamwenge’s Progress
Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, the NRM District Chairperson and Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, said Kamwenge’s development stemmed from security, unity and deliberate government interventions.
“We thank the NRM government for defeating the ADF threat. That security is what has allowed our people to work and invest,” he said.
Tumwebaze noted that agricultural transformation has been remarkable, with over half of households now engaged in commercial coffee production under the Four-Acre Model. He also presented the district’s profile: 18 sub-counties and town councils, 74 parishes, 442 villages, and a population of 337,167.
On government programmes, Tumwebaze reported that Kamwenge has so far received more than Shs19 billion under the Parish Development Model, with nearly 98 percent already disbursed to 18,625 households. Under Emyooga, the district has 36 SACCOs with over 15,500 members benefiting from nearly Shs2 billion in government funding.
Education, Health, Water and Energy
Tumwebaze commended First Lady Maama Janet Museveni for expanding education access, noting that five more seed secondary schools are under construction. Kamwenge currently has 86 government primary schools and 11 government secondary schools.
He acknowledged gaps in health services and announced government plans to upgrade health facilities, including a request to elevate Kamwenge Health Centre III to Health Centre IV and deploy additional staff.
Access to clean water now stands at 66 percent of rural villages, with ongoing expansion to underserved areas. He also confirmed that the district is fully connected to the national electricity grid, with remaining sub-counties scheduled for electrification.
Tumwebaze reaffirmed Kamwenge’s loyalty to President Museveni and the NRM, pledging continued mobilisation for government programmes aimed at lifting more households into the money economy.
The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of supporters.