YUMBE DISTRICT — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and party Presidential flag bearer, today continued his campaign trail in Yumbe District, where he commended residents for their steady progress and loyalty to the NRM principles of peace, unity, and prosperity.
The President recalled that when the government first discussed granting Yumbe district status, its population was only about 100,000, and many doubted its viability. Today, he noted, Yumbe’s population has surpassed one million, a transformation he attributed to improved health services and widespread immunisation under the NRM government.
“NRM Has Delivered Peace for the First Time in 500 Years”
President Museveni told the enthusiastic crowd that the NRM has, over the years, sought practical solutions to Uganda’s challenges—solutions now clearly reflected in the NRM Manifesto.
He emphasised that peace remains one of the greatest achievements of the Movement, which the country is enjoying “for the first time in more than 500 years.”
“We now have peace because we rejected the politics of sectarianism,” President Museveni said. “We believe in valuing everyone, and that has helped us build a national party that embraces all Ugandans. That is why we win the majority whenever we go to elections. The politics of sectarianism is suicidal.”
He added that this ideology of unity and shared purpose has enabled Uganda to establish strong national institutions such as the army, judiciary, and other governance structures.
“Our contribution as NRM has been peace—and that peace came because we rejected the politics of division,” he reaffirmed.
“Do Not Confuse Development with Wealth Creation”
The President explained that development and wealth creation are distinct yet complementary pillars of transformation. Development includes public infrastructure such as roads, electricity, hospitals, and schools—benefiting everyone—while wealth creation directly uplifts individual families.
“You cannot sleep on a tarmac road,” he said. “Development benefits everyone, but wealth creation benefits individual families.”
He reminded the gathering that since 1996, the NRM has been promoting the message of household wealth creation, beginning with the Ankole cattle corridor, where early adopters thrived.
“The message of NRM has been clear: do not mix development with wealth creation,” he said, urging Ugandans to join the money economy through programs like Emyooga, NAADS, and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
PDM, Graduate Fund and Job Creation
President Museveni outlined how the PDM channels Shs 100 million to every parish annually, with an additional Shs 15 million for local leaders. Over five years, each parish will have accumulated Shs 570 million, and borrowers will repay after two years at a 6% interest rate, ensuring the fund’s sustainability.
He revealed that the government is also planning a special fund for unemployed university graduates, as well as one for religious and cultural leaders, all aimed at accelerating household wealth creation.
The President stressed that wealth creation is the real source of jobs, noting that Uganda’s 480,000 government jobs are far fewer than those generated by the private sector.
“Factories established under the NRM have created 1.3 million jobs,” he said.
As an example, he cited State Minister for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, who successfully implemented the Four-Acre Model, employing 26 workers in piggery, poultry, and dairy farming.
Yumbe to Get Industrial Park
President Museveni praised the people of Yumbe for offering government land for an industrial park, which he said would attract investors and create jobs for young people.
“I am very glad for the land you have given in Yumbe,” he said. “We shall develop it into an industrial park like Namanve and Mbale to create jobs for your people.”
He concluded by reiterating that the NRM’s enduring mission revolves around peace, development, and jobs—pillars he described as the foundation of Uganda’s stability and progress.
Yumbe’s Impressive Development Gains
NRM Vice Chairman for Northern Uganda, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, commended President Museveni for his consistent guidance and transformative programs that continue to uplift the people of Yumbe.
According to district data, Yumbe has 26 sub-counties and town councils, 197 parishes, and 1,159 villages. The population now stands at 945,100 (2024 census), up from fewer than 100,000 at district creation.
In the 2021 presidential election, President Museveni garnered 71.2% of the vote. For 2025, the district has 122,184 registered voters across 363 polling stations.
Under the Parish Development Model, Yumbe’s 197 parishes have cumulatively received Shs 59.9 billion, with 97% disbursed to 58,334 beneficiary households. The district also has 57 Emyooga SACCOs with 16,184 members, receiving Shs 2.01 billion in government support.
Yumbe boasts 143 government primary schools, 41 private primary schools, 10 government secondary schools, and 2 private secondary schools. Construction of six new seed schools is underway, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without government secondary schools from 16 to 10.
In health, the district hosts Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, two Health Centre IVs, and 19 Health Centre IIIs, ensuring that 22 of 26 sub-counties have facilities at HCIII level and above. Major ongoing works include the rehabilitation and expansion of Yumbe Hospital, the construction of a 300-bed ward, 95 staff houses, and new maternity and outpatient units.
In the water sector, 940 out of 1,159 villages (77%) have access to safe water. The Ala-Ora piped water system, under construction, will extend coverage to more villages in Ariwa Sub-County, with additional plans to reach 64 more villages across Kochi, Bijjo, Lodonga, and Lobe Town Council.
